Steinbeck begins the novel with a detailed description of the natural landscape and beauty of the Salinas Valley where he grew up, establishing an important early symbol for the conflict between good and evil: the contrast between the dark, threatening Santa Lucia Mountains to the west and the bright, welcoming Gablian Mountains to the east. The narrator, whose voice is really that of Steinbeck, says that he learned to te

ll east from west by looking at these mountains, symbolizing the human dilemma of having to find the way between light and darkness, goodness and evil.

The narrator then tells about his grandparents, Samuel and Liza Hamilton, who arrive in the valley from Ireland. They have to settle on the worst land, as the best is already taken. Samuel begins working as a blacksmith to support his nine children; he also works as a well digger and as an unlicensed doctor. Samuel Hamilton is a powerful symbol of good and his bond with his family is very strong. Cyrus Trask, on the other hand, is a menacing symbol of corruption and familial divisiveness. Within the Trask family, the focus of this section, the contrast between Charles and Adam is of significant importance. The plot is essentially a complicated retelling of the Biblical story of Cain and Abel.

Adam is kind and good-natured, while Charles is violent and manipulative. The basic template for many of the relationships in East of Eden is the Biblical story of Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain

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