Special Prompts
You are reading, and your sibling asks you, "hey, what's that book about?"
Write a detailed response to your sibling, including at least one lesson someone could learn about life by reading it.
The book is about many different topics. A few of these topics are good and evil. There is also a biblical side to it. A life lesson learned could be that even if you make a mistake people can still give you many chances,
Consider Charles' will: it stipulates that half of Charles' money should go to Cathy.
Why do you think Charles included this stipulation instead of giving it all to Adam? What does it suggest about his relationships with the both of them?
I think Charles included this because he feels guilty about sleeping with Cathy. I also think that he wants to show support to Adam and the starting of a family even though he slept with Cathy for some reason.
Find a quote/passage from Ch. 32-33 that helps reveal the close bond shared between Tom and Dessie.
Then discuss: in what ways do they complicate the novel's depiction of sibling relationships? BONUS (100pts): Which Hamilton brother inadvertently contributes to Tom's deep depressive state?
"You sound like your father" Dessie said, and she laughed with him.
Throughout the entire book we see lots of sibling rilvarys instead of love. This relationship with Dessie and Tom contradicts the rest of the relationships.
Will?
How does the info we receive about Charles' last 12 years without Adam contribute to our understanding of his symbolic connections to Cain? Have these connections held strong? (p. 371-372)
There is much less of a rilvary and in the story of Cain and Abel, Cain slays Abel. But in this story Cain straight up dies from sickness. It has not held strong
Why do you think Tom is looked down upon by Will for writing poetry? (p. 392)
I think Tom is looked down upon by will for writing poetry because it was seen as weak back then. Will thinks it is very strange.
Grab a blank sheet of paper. Collaborate to draw a quick sketch of Cathy/Kate during the moments following Adam's most recent departure from the brothel (p. 385, paragraph starting with "Kate sat down and stared...")
Add a thought bubble which contains her likely thoughts after being psychoanalyzed by Adam.
" I need to take back control of Adam"
"Why does it feel like he is sliping away"
" Has he truly learned of the real me? "
We've noted some similarities between Cal and Charles... but what similarities does Cal share with a young Adam?
Find a quote that represents Cal's similarities to Adam. (100 bonus pts. per additional quote)
They both have inner struggles with themselves.
Relate Lee's character to the concept/theme of duality of man. How does his outward persona conflict with his truest motivations?
BONUS (+100): What might Steinbeck be trying to argue through this conflicting aspect of Lee's character?
He acts different and not knowledgeable when in reality he is really smart and like everybody else. He also uses some weird language when in reality he can speak English.
Which side does Steinbeck seem to lean towards regarding the nature vs. nurture argument, based on the novel so far? (BONUS: do you agree?)
He leans towards both but more importantly free will. I agree with him because Cathy had many different chances and was given so many extra tries to try and change but she would not.
Tom blames himself for Dessie's death, calling it a 'murder' in his own head (408).
Do you agree or disagree with his estimation? Explain.
I disagree with his estimation. Tom was not intentionally trying to hurt Dessie. He just wanted to try and help to get her better from her weakness. It was just time for her to go.
Imagine that Charles had been sending letters to Adam throughout the 11 years between Adam's move and Charles' death... but each letter got lost somehow.
From Charles' POV, write a theoretical final letter to Adam.
Dear Adam,
This might be my last time ever talking to you. Im feeling sick and I don't know how much longer I have. I have some money for you and Cathy to split. I hope you use it wisely. I just wanted to say how sorry I am for how jealous and rude I was when we were kids. We truly needed each other after Cyrus' death. I love you and hope you have a great life.
Near the end of Part 3, it is revealed that Adam is buying Dessie's house in Salinas... where Kate owns her brothel.
Aron does not yet know that she is still alive. Make a prediction: if Aron finds out, how could his relationship with Adam be affected?
If Aron finds out about Cathy being alive it would not be a good situation. It would ruin the trust that Aron has for Adam. It would definitely hurt that father son relationship we see throughout the book.
Do Steinbeck's portrayals of women so far align with modern portrayals of women in media and/or literature? Provide reasons for the yes and/or no side.
I think that it definitely has changed. Steinbecks portrayals of women would have aligned with portrayals of women back in the day but I think their role has changed in a good way. People have started to respect them more. Steinbeck only focuses on their looks.
What does Ch. 29 (the chapter about Adam learning how to turn on his new Ford) suggest about Steinbeck's views about modernity's promise to make the world better?
Steinbeck's outlook on modernity is explained when he talks about how Adam is confused with all the steps it takes for the car. And how silly it is.
Remember Timshel, the Hebrew word for "thou mayest", which Lee determined represents humans' choice to conquer sin.
Where does Tom fall on a hypothetical spectrum of whether or not he embodies Lee's idea, and how do we know? (Use p. 407-410.)
He does not embodies Lees idea. He does not conquer sin after Dessies death. He is depressed and keeps telling himself that he is a murderer. He then shoots himself and ends it all.