What John Steinbeck novel is based on the biblical story of Cain & Abel?

John Steinbeck is one of the most celebrated and influential American authors of the 20th century. His works explore themes such as social justice, human dignity, and the struggle for survival in a rapidly changing world. One of his most famous novels, East of Eden, is based on the biblical story of Cain and Abel.

In the biblical story, Cain is the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, while Abel is his younger brother. Cain becomes jealous of Abel when God favors Abel's offering over his own, and he kills Abel in a fit of rage. God punishes Cain by making him a restless wanderer on the earth.

In East of Eden, Steinbeck retells this story through the lens of two families, the Trasks and the Hamiltons, who live in the Salinas Valley of California. The novel follows the lives of two sets of brothers, Charles and Adam Trask, and Cal and Aron Trask, who are descendants of the original Cain and Abel.

Charles is the older, more violent brother, while Adam is the younger, gentler one. Similarly, Cal is the more troubled and rebellious of the two younger brothers, while Aron is the more innocent and idealistic one. Like the biblical story, jealousy and rivalry lead to tragedy and violence, but the novel also explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the possibility of breaking the cycle of violence.

One of the most notable aspects of East of Eden is its exploration of the concept of timshel, a Hebrew word that means "thou mayest." This concept represents the idea that humans have free will and the power to choose their own paths in life, rather than being predestined to follow a certain course. This idea is central to the novel's exploration of the Cain and Abel story, as it offers a way out of the cycle of violence and retribution that characterizes the biblical narrative.