East Of Eden Example Essay Example

a technique which is the basis of good wrestling- that of letting your opponent do the heavy work toward his own defeat, or of guiding his strength toward his weaknesses" (Steinbeck 240). Steinbeck explains how Kate possessed the powers to manipulate others as if they were her puppets to commit her evil desires. He also emphasizes certain actions such as planning the death of her parents, shooting descriptions between good and evil along with the wavering uncertainty of their actions. Although there is a general definition, opinions on the extent of the terms vary greatly from person to person.

Each person has their own idea on which actions are immoral as well as which are righteous. This allows each individual to Judge others' morality independently, creating space for deferent opinions on whether someone Is good or evil. For Instance, Dam's method of hiding Cathy from Cal and Aaron Is questionable. Wish there were some way you could tell the boys the truth.

' 'That would rob them of the good thoughts about their mother, Lee. ' 'Have you thought of the other danger? Well, suppose they find out the truth" (Steinbeck 355).

In this part of the novel, Lee believes that Adam should have let the boys know the truth about Cathy, however Adam feels that he is protecting the boys and securing their well-being by lying to them. One could argue that it was a good choice to create the Ill of Scathe's death because It stopped any further questions about their absent argue that the lie was completely immoral and wrong because it removed a vital part of the boys' lives without a

full explanation. Situations like these fall into a moral grey spot making the attempt to define one as good or evil completely ludicrous.

Although it is not possible to define an entire person's life as completely good or evil, it is possible to classify an action as malevolent or evil. For example, the Great Purge is undoubtedly considered an evil event caused by the sinful life of Joseph Stalin. Stalin was responsible for the death of 20 million people, 14. 5 million of which starved to death, He also sent 18 million people to gulags, and killed mercilessly. Stalin's life was filled with causing harm and bringing death to others.

Similar to the Great Purge, the

Holocaust killed about six million Jews as well as gypsies, Poles, freemasons, Slavs, homosexuals, and people with disabilities. These people were gassed, sent to concentration camps, and killed mercilessly all because of one person who desired to harm these people. However, this one event, though wicked and malevolent, does not define Doll Hitler himself as evil. A singular action does not label a person as completely good or evil.

In his life, Doll could have been a loving son or a generous citizen. Because of the many different variables throughout a lifetime, it is unreasonable to deem someone as good or evil.

Overall, it is impossible to define someone as solely good or evil at any point in their lives. Even if they committed a high number of good or evil acts in their life, it does not necessarily define them as one or the other. Each person goes through life and commits both good and evil acts. It

is vital for people to understand that although an individual appears to be a certain way, it is important to remember that they are not completely good or evil.

Works Cited Steinbeck, John. East of Eden. New York: Penguin, 2002. Print.