Cathy Ames might be your new BFF
Thank you for coming back, my sincere readers!
In order not to waste anybody’s time, let me introduce today’s companion on the journey of discovering myself through the lens of literature’s best female antagonists. Her name is Cathy Ames, later known as Kate Trask or Kate Albey, she is the primary antagonist in John Steinbeck’s novel East of Eden, published in 1952.
East of Eden is set in the wealthy soil of the Salinas Valley in California and follows the destinies of two families, the Hamiltons, and the Trasks whose generations relentlessly interpret the fall of Adam and Eve as well as the toxic rivalry between Cain and Abel.
The story revolves around Adam and his twins, Cal and Aron after his wife left him alone to raise the boys to their manhood. One struggles to grow up with the darkness found inside him while the other thrives with the love of all around him.
However, we are here not to discuss the men of this novel but the woman of their lives, Cathy or Kate. Let’s just call her by her real name, shall we? Then, Cathy, it is.
1. Don't judge a book by its cover:
How often do you judge a person by their look? How often do you fail to assume what kind of person that is? How often do you succeed?
I know, myself included, at least once in our lives, we judge somebody we just meet based on their looks. And the ratio of accuracy is very tiny. The way a person presented themselves physically is how they want us to think about them and of course, to conceal their actual self.
As Steinbeck described his antagonist born with an innocent look, golden blonde hair, hazel eyes, a thin and dedicated nose, and a small chin to make her face look heart-shaped. She is such a beauty, isn’t she? Moreover, according to the townspeople, Cathy is a sweet lady. (Schoolwork helper n.d.)
People quickly assume that her pretty face couldn’t hurt a fly. However, in fact, that quotation once again proves its point because hidden behind that beautiful curtain, is a cold-blooded monster who murdered her own parents, stole their money and attempted to abort her unborn children.
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A real sweetheart, huh?
I can’t force you to stop judging people by their appearance, I can’t even do that myself but let attempt to know them more before reaching your conclusions. Don’t let yourself quickly have an overall impression on someone because when you do, they already succeed in fooling you.
2. "If you are good at something, don't do it for free." - The Joker
Even it’s manipulation through sexuality.
Lust, as you may know, is one of Christianity’s seven deadly sins. Guzman (2013) stated that lust “is like taking drugs – no one would do drugs if there was not some kind of benefit that, at the time, they thought outweighed the risk. In this case, lust offers that high, seemingly without any responsibility, worry, or effect.”
Cathy quickly discovered that the accompany of sexuality and vulnerability can control anyone. When she was 10, through sexuality, she took advantage of two boys then managed to frame them in order to obtain things she wanted. This demeanor follows her for the rest of her life as she spent most of it in numerous brothels manipulating and controlling not only the owner of the establishment but also the guests.
There you see, whatever your talent is, whatever you’re excellent at, even it’s manipulating others or murdering your parents, never do it for free.
Nah, I’m just kidding.
This wicked woman has helped me to see her problem positively that everyone is good at something, hopefully, good things then learn to nurture that talent because nowadays, if you are great at something, you can totally earn money from it.
3. Love can cure evil:
Yes, you read it right, my friends. Cathy Ames’s wickedness was cured at the end of the book. By her sons.
East of Eden was written as a parable for the Bible by John Steinbeck and he aimed for Cathy/Kate to depict both Eve and Satan. In contrast, many believe that Cathy’s the product of Steinbeck’s personal misogyny meaning hatred of women (Warnick 2014). However, regardless of whom he created her based on, the way he ended his monstrous character’s life is very much merciful.
When Cal first came to visit his mother in her whorehouse, she was instantly uneasy with his goodness and declaration of love for his father. As to Cathy, she failed to understand the goodness inside others, therefore, she was unable to accept the fact that her son had nothing like her.
The final act that triggered the shame of being a mother inside Cathy is when Cal brought Aron to their mother’s brothel. Aron’s reaction toward Cathy shocked her and somehow released inside her the ability to confront herself, of what she was.
The visits by Cathy’s twins caused her to feel remorseful for the first time in her life and maybe she was suffocated by her own wickedness.
The last lesson Cathy Ames taught me is that she might symbolize the presence of human evil in this world, but she also gives me hope that even evil can be cured, by love.
Word count: 884
REFERENCE LIST:
Guzman, S 2013, ‘The seven deadly sins: Lust’, The Catholic Gentlemen, blog post, viewed 18 July 2019, <https://www.catholicgentleman.net/2013/09/the-seven-deadly-sins-lust/>
School Work Helper n.d., ‘John Steinbeck’s East of Eden: Catherine “Cathy” Ames Analysis’, School Work Helper, viewed 18 July 2019, <https://schoolworkhelper.net/john-steinbecks-east-of-eden-catherine-cathy-ames-analysis/>
Warnick, C 2014, ‘Cathy Trask, Monstrosity, and Gender-based fears in John Steinbeck’s East of Eden’, MA thesis, Brigham Young University, Provo, viewed 18 July 2019, <https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6281&context=etd