East of Eden <Tab/> <Tab/>East of Eden contains a very basic and well-known theme of good and evil. Steinbeck's story is based on the Cain and Abel and the word Timshel. Cain and Abel being Cal and Aron bring about the theme with their own actions. In the novel, Cathy Ames is shown with having no good only evil. But she shows some goodness at the …showed first 75 words of 709 total…

…showed last 75 words of 709 total…his mother. Aron becomes very shocked to find out about his mother and the whorehouse, so he disappears. His father receives a letter later saying he joined the army. Aron is killed in the war. Cal feels guilty and blames himself for the death of Cal. Adam was so upset by Aron's death that he went into shock and died. On Adam's death bed Cal asks him for forgiveness and all he says is "Timshel."