East of Eden | Characters & Character Analysis

East of Eden Characters

Samuel Hamilton

Samuel Hamilton is more than a character; he is John Steinbeck's maternal grandfather. Born in Ireland, Samuel immigrates to the United States around the year 1870 with his stern little wife, Liza, and settles in the Salinas Valley in California. By the time Samuel arrives in the valley, all the prime real estate is gone and Samuel buys a ranch of non-fertile land and makes his living as a blacksmith, carpenter and well driller. Samuel and Liza have nine children who are raised with more love than money, and Samuel finds the good in each of his children. Samuel is known for being a good neighbor and can be counted on for a helping hand, a good story, or a dose of tough love when necessary. Samuel befriends Adam Trask who is the recipient of two of Samuel's dosages of strong advice; once when Adam's...
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