East of Eden Family Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Section.Paragraph)

Quote #10

"But your son will live. He will marry and his children will be the only remnant left of you." (55.3.46)

You might remember that earlier in the novel when Adam, Lee, and Samuel are first discussing the story of Cain and Abel, Samuel remarks that Abel had no children. That means that, according to the Bible, all of humanity is descended from Cain, the world's first bona-fide murderer. Pretty sinister, right? But in this quote, Lee is pointing out that things don't have to be that way. Adam could create another generation of guilt-ridden fratricidal Trasks by denying Cal his love, but how does that benefit Adam? Wouldn't it be better if he broke the vicious cycle?