Suggestions for Viewing East of Eden

Read Genesis 2-4 before and after viewing the film.

East of Eden uses a lot of symbolism and works with many different, often competing perspectives. The following is a list of major themes and items that function symbolically within the film. Try to discern the themes and discover the meaning of the symbols and the way that these interrelate with the various perspectives of the characters within the narration.
 
Major themes:
good and evil
scripture and religion
allusions to Genesis chapters 2-4
war
law
sibling rivalry, favoritism, a father’s love
freedom of choice versus determination
 
Major symbols:
trains
lettuce
“refrigeration”
knowledge
names (notice especially the pattern of those names that begin with the letters A or C)
Americanism and patriotism
money
the ranch
eastwardness (at least symbolic eastwardness)
scars
mirrors

Key Places in East of Eden
calif1

From the opening of the film: “In northern California, the Santa Lucia Mountains, dark and brooding, stand like a wall between the peaceful agricultural town of Salinas and the rough and tumble fishing port of Monterey, fifteen miles away” (1917).