tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395948500312534280.post5789508602145920161..comments2024-02-25T01:48:45.848-07:00Comments on Mr. Center's Wall: East of Eden XXVI -- chpt25: RESURRECTION and GLORY via "TIMSHEL"Joseph Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090686611405364311noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395948500312534280.post-9415473364136086962010-11-02T14:33:53.412-06:002010-11-02T14:33:53.412-06:0025.3.6 -- There's such an immaturity there--or...25.3.6 -- There's such an immaturity there--or lopsided maturity. I never noticed the point of it before, having her so physically childish.<br />25.3.4 -- Freedom is a happy thing, and we feel it lift our shoulders.<br /><br />This isn't my favorite chapter, but it reveails a great deal. I too think Steinbeck's calculated implementation of alcohol is interesting -- makes me wonder about his experience with it. Is it more like a Cathy problem or an Adam? Or is just a keen observer?Joseph Centerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00090686611405364311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395948500312534280.post-74037069724928515942010-11-02T14:02:14.365-06:002010-11-02T14:02:14.365-06:0025.2.2. I think it's a bit of both. Steinbeck...25.2.2. I think it's a bit of both. Steinbeck seems to have a fascination with alcohol throughout this book. Both times that it comes up, it removes people's timidity and their carefully laid plans, and reveals their inner character. For Cathy/Kate, the picture is not so pretty. For Adam, we see that he really is a stronger character than we've been led to believe for most of the book. He just hides it.<br />25.3.1. I think Steinbeck's point here is that he is trying to tell us that Adam now sees Cathy as she really is, not as he wants to see her. Also, it gives us an idea of how much time has elapsed since he last saw her. But I think the first point may be more important.<br />25.3.4. I think the reason that he is so giddy is that seeing how horrible a person Cathy/Kate really is has disillusioned him. He can now move on in his life focusing on the future, rather than regretting her leaving him.<br />25.3.5. This is an interesting question. To me, her expressed desire to control others almost did make her evil to appear a little more founded. We know that there are tyrants in society who just love power and control, not only in government, but emotional and relational tyrants. Heck, I admit that I like being in control of things, too. Most of us, though, have other qualities such as love or empathy that keep it in check, or are just not as skilled at control and manipulation as Cathy/Kate is. She is the perfect storm of ability to control and no mitigating factors that keep her from pursuing it. <br />25.3.6. The childlike way of describing her is right because she is very intelligent, but she does not yet have fully developed human emotions or a complex worldview. In her case, she probably never will.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11708022607046379611noreply@blogger.com