East of Eden | Criticism

This literature criticism consists of approximately 3 pages of analysis & critique of East of Eden.

East of Eden | Criticism

This literature criticism consists of approximately 3 pages of analysis & critique of East of Eden.
This section contains 801 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Critical Essay by Mark Schorer

Probably the best of John Steinbeck's novels, "East of Eden," is long but not "big," and anyone who, deceived by its spread in space and time (c. 1860–1920), says that it is "epical in its sweep," is merely in the usual grip of cliché. Its dramatic center is a narrow story of social horror that rests quite disarmingly on the proposition that "there are monsters born in the world to human parents." But through the exercise of a really rather remarkable freedom of his rights as a novelist, Mr. Steinbeck weaves in, and more particularly around, this story of prostitution a fantasia of history and of myth that results in a strange and original work of art.

"East of Eden" is different from any of the earlier Steinbeck novels. It is, in a sense, more amorphous, less intent on singleness of theme and effect….

Mr. Steinbeck's tightly constructed short...

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This section contains 801 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Critical Essay by Mark Schorer
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Critical Essay by Mark Schorer from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.