Thursday, October 27, 2011

East of Eden Open Thread


I've been asked to provide a forum for discussion of the test questions for Steinbeck's novel. This is that thread. There will be no leading questions. There will be no input from yours truly (unless I just cannot help myself). What happens in the comments that follow this post is entirely up to all of you. I encourage you to share ideas.

Have at it guys.

*** STRING IS CLOSED ***

13 comments:

Hollis Zecca said...

Okay so I don't know if this is a stupid question or not, but would anyone see Sam Hamilton as a main character or just someone who helps Adam along the way?

Marissa Skaczkowski said...

He is an important character but I am not sure I would call him the main character.
So for foils this is what i got:
Adam and Charles
Caleb and Aron
These are obvious thought....

Katie Carola said...

Marissa, what about comparing Caleb and Charles or Adam and Aron or the other way around?

Mariana Maeda said...

Marissa,
Though you're right about them being foils, I'm not sure if it would work for the 1st part of the assigment. Caleb and Aron are main characters...(at least I think they are, I'm not completely sure).

Katie,
I completely agree with you that Charles and Caleb would be a good match. =)

Marissa Skaczkowski said...

Kate and Mariana,
I thought foils are usually opposite though;
they are usually put side by side to bring out eachothers flaws and personality.
The foils would deffinatley comply with the first essay.
The second one I would think to talk about Adam Trask and his family's backround. I think Samuel and his family could even be thrown in.

Mr. D- said...

Foils are characters in contrast. By definition, they highlight t(by virtue of their differences) both the strengths and weaknesses of each other.

Abby Maiello said...

Could someone help me with the second essay question... is it asking if events in a main characters past effect the way thhat they act now? I'm a little confused.

Deanna Soucie said...

Abby, Cathy shooting Adam affected how he acted and treated his sons for years.

Deanna Soucie said...

Is Sam Hamilton a secondary character?

Mr. D- said...

Deanna, I think you could safely call Sam Hamilton a secondary character.

Abby M said...

Thanks Deanna!!!!!

Brandon Jones said...

If someone possibly could post the actual essay questions, it would be a really big help since i left the paper at school

Nina Fusco said...

For a certain someone:
1. In a literary work, a secondary character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of the secondary character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character.
Discuss a secondary character from John Steinbeck's, East of Eden. Consider how this character serves as a foil to a main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relationship between the secondary character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work.

2. In many works of literature, past events can effect, positively or negatively, the present actions, attitudes, or values of a character. Discuss how one of the main characters in John Steinbeck's, East of Eden must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Write an essay in which you discuss precisely how the character's relationship to the past contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.