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East of Eden | Alienation in East of Eden: The Chart of the Soul

In the following essay, McDaniel examines alienation as a psychological force in East of Eden.

“I think there is only one book to a man,” said John Steinbeck as he wrote East of Eden. “This is the book I have always wanted and have worked and prayed to be able to write” (JN, p. 5). Though Steinbeck wrote East of Eden, his “big book” (JN, p. 33), with a strong sense of purpose, critics have found it formless; and though he recorded his ideas about it daily, critics have been vague about his theme. Steinbeck expected these problems, but the expectation was not the confession of guilt it has been taken for. “My carefully worked out method...

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