"His box of secret pain"

Part 7 of an 8-part series on East of Eden.
Today's newsletter addresses Chapters 40-48.

Cal and Aron

In these chapters, we read about Cal and Aron, the twin sons of Adam (or is the father Charles?). The boys serve as a way for Steinbeck to present another generation of siblings (after Charles and Adam) and their rivalry.

Do patterns repeat? Do we pass along our goodness or evil? Nature or nurture?

We find Cal trying to buy his father's love, and Aron leaving for college. And, like Will Hamilton, each of these brothers carries around a "box of secret pain" (SCE, 475). Cal holds the secret of his mother's identity to protect his brother. This secret pain is more than a literary technique; it's an exploration of human nature.

Keeping a secret may look well-intentioned but could cause pain.

Cal wonders whether he is bad, even though he knows his father is good. He has already met his mother, Kate, and asked her if she ever felt like she was missing something when she was young. He's searching for similarities between mother and son. And Cal realizes that he doesn't have to be like his mother. Go back and re-read that scene in Chapter 39 (pages 455-462, SCE). We see Cal struggling with his identity as it relates to his mother: "You're my mother and I wanted to see what you're like" (SCE, 458).

What is Kate like? And what's the effect on Cal?

Why Attend Church?

I am intrigued by the Episcopal rector, Mr. Rolf, who mentors Aron as he pursues his religious calling. It's an opportunity for Steinbeck to comment on religion.

Rolf has noticed that Kate is coming to church regularly. But he can only supply her motivations from his own theological framework: this "owner of a house of ill fame" must be seeking salvation.

"Perhaps what we have to offer—salvation. It will require great tact. I can see how it will be. And mark my words–these people are timid. One day there will come a tap on my door and she will beg to come in. Then, Aron, I pray that I may be wise and patient. You must believe me – when that happens, when a lost soul seeks the light, it is the highest and most beautiful experience a priest can have. That's what we are for, Aron. That's what we are for."

The priest can't imagine another reason for Kate's church attendance. And, of course, Kate never begs to speak with the priest. He has conjured a fantasy of Kate's salvation.

Or do I have it wrong? What is Kate's motivation for attending church?

Reading Schedule

Week of July 20-26: read chapters 49-55

Looking Ahead to August and Beyond

Uncle Ishmael will be exploring the biblical book of Exodus in alignment with the Revised Common Lectionary. The lectionary begins on August 23 with Exodus 1 and concludes its journey through the book on October 11 with Exodus 32. This 8-week series will appear in this newsletter starting on the Monday before August 23 (so, August 17) and continuing for the following seven Mondays.

A Benediction (Or Miscellaneous Thoughts)

All of the reflections on East of Eden are available at www.uncleishmael.com.

These reflections will be combined into a single Reading Guide and will be available on the Resources page of the Uncle Ishmael website.