Finished East of Eden for the first time, and this major…
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Finished East of Eden for the first time, and this major plot point is bothering me.
Isn’t the entire premise that Cal was responsible for Aron’s death a direct contradiction of “timshel”? Don’t get me wrong, I understand Cal would have immense guilt over revealing the truth to Aron. However, readers and the other characters accept that Cal is at least partially to blame. I love the character Lee, but him directing Adam to forgive Cal irked me. Really? After Adam lied to Aron for 17 years about an idealized mom being dead? Adam is the one that built up the fantasy. After Cathy abandoned her children to live a life of destruction? Cathy is the one to shatter the dream. If we want to blame Cal on Aron’s demise, then Adam and Cathy are equally to blame.
All Cal did was show Aron the truth, yes out of jealousy. However, Cal was the only one honest with Aron. Cal set the truth free, and Aron free to live his life knowing the full reality of it.
Due to the concept of “timshel”, I can’t accept that Aron wasn’t responsible for his own reactions to his mother’s sin. We have the freedom of choice, and the power to triumph over sin. Aron chose to sign up for the military knowing it was risky. Yes, he was in shock from receiving the truth, but he did it. That was Aron’s choice in reaction to “the original sin”. Aron signed away his own life.
I also found it interesting that anytime Cal expresses negative thoughts about himself and circumstances, Lee alludes back to the idea that Cal has the choice. Why is it not the same for Aron? Why do Aron’s choices become Cal’s fault? Why does Cal need to suck it up, but Aron gets to pretty much die by suicide with the same circumstances, and it is Cal’s fault?
Would love to hear other thoughts to help me sort through my own. It’s very possible there’s some major parts I’ve missed or ideas I’m not fully considering. Thank you!
#entertainment
source
Isn’t the entire premise that Cal was responsible for Aron’s death a direct contradiction of “timshel”? Don’t get me wrong, I understand Cal would have immense guilt over revealing the truth to Aron. However, readers and the other characters accept that Cal is at least partially to blame. I love the character Lee, but him directing Adam to forgive Cal irked me. Really? After Adam lied to Aron for 17 years about an idealized mom being dead? Adam is the one that built up the fantasy. After Cathy abandoned her children to live a life of destruction? Cathy is the one to shatter the dream. If we want to blame Cal on Aron’s demise, then Adam and Cathy are equally to blame.
All Cal did was show Aron the truth, yes out of jealousy. However, Cal was the only one honest with Aron. Cal set the truth free, and Aron free to live his life knowing the full reality of it.
Due to the concept of “timshel”, I can’t accept that Aron wasn’t responsible for his own reactions to his mother’s sin. We have the freedom of choice, and the power to triumph over sin. Aron chose to sign up for the military knowing it was risky. Yes, he was in shock from receiving the truth, but he did it. That was Aron’s choice in reaction to “the original sin”. Aron signed away his own life.
I also found it interesting that anytime Cal expresses negative thoughts about himself and circumstances, Lee alludes back to the idea that Cal has the choice. Why is it not the same for Aron? Why do Aron’s choices become Cal’s fault? Why does Cal need to suck it up, but Aron gets to pretty much die by suicide with the same circumstances, and it is Cal’s fault?
Would love to hear other thoughts to help me sort through my own. It’s very possible there’s some major parts I’ve missed or ideas I’m not fully considering. Thank you!
#entertainment
source
| 4,000 mlx | |
| 4 | |
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