Women Conspiring against Pharaoh
These women cleverly and intentionally undermine Pharaoh’s power to bring new life into the world. Whereas the mighty Pharaoh is fixated on death, violence, and annihilation, the women harbor life. He commands; they resist. These women notice the injustice around them and act.
Exodus 1:8-2:10 - Shiphrah and Puah
God chooses midwives over Pharaohs every time.
Timshel!
The final chapter is a retelling of the Genesis story of Cain and Abel. Yet, it inserts a new voice into the usual story. It's a voice that pleads with the father figure after Cal's/Cain's anger leads to violence.
"His box of secret pain"
In these chapters, we read about Cal and Aron, the twin sons of Adam (or is it Charles?). Do patterns repeat? Do we pass along our goodness?
"I was afraid I had you in me."
Adam is arguing for a more complex portrait of humanity than the one Kate operates with.
"Thou Mayest Rule Over Sin"
Lee argues that the Hebrew verb here should be translated as "may rule," and this understanding of the verb gives Cain a choice. It's about permission. It's about free will.
"Such a little story to have made so deep a wound"
Part 4 of an 8-part series on East of Eden.
Today's newsletter covers Chapters 20-24.
With
"To Know That There Are Other Rivers"
The juxtaposition of the Salinas River and other rivers is another framing for the novel. The one and the many. The specific and the universal.
"Remember my name is Adam. So far I've had no Eden."
Part 3 of an 8-part series on East of Eden.
Today's newsletter covers Chapters 15-19.
"She'll destroy you, Adam"
It doesn't matter where she came from; it matters that she brings embodied evil into the story. And we watch as various folks respond to this sort of evil. Perhaps we even see some of ourselves – our capacity, our temptations – in Cathy.
