Welcome back to East of Eden. In this episode, Shari and Rhea begin at the heart of the story, which happens to also be the center. They talk about naming, symbols, timshel, and what it took to make Adam wake up after 11 years of fallowness. They talk about the Hamilton children: Tom wrestling with greatness, Una’s death, and Dessie’s love that destroyed her joy. They talk about the difference between the feel of the story between the Hamiltons and Trasks. They wonder about Lee’s ideas about rejectiona and guilt, Samuel’s ideas on greatness, and Cathy’s thoughts on goodness (which is wild). And, they make mention of how here in the heart of the novel is also the most excellent example of how to close read a story—a Bible story at that. :D

Next week the ladies will be discussing Chapters 26-32.

We’d love to hear what struck you about this section of the novel. East of Eden is full of the Great Story. What connections do you find most compelling? What about the Great Conversation in general?

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