East Of Eden

by John Steinbeck

If the Germans had known Olive and had been sensible they would have gone out of their way not to anger her. But they didn’t know or they were stupid. When they killed Martin Hopps they lost the war because that made my mother mad and she took out after them. She had liked Martin Hopps. He had never hurt anyone. When they killed him Olive declared war on the German empire. She

The church and the whorehouse arrived in the Far West simultaneously.

And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.’ ”

Woah

I have no bent toward gods. But I have a new love for that glittering instrument, the human soul. It is a lovely and unique thing in the universe. It is always attacked and never destroyed—because ‘Thou mayest.’ ”

“Maybe both of us have got a piece of him,” said Lee. “Maybe that’s what immortality is.”

Please try not to need me. That’s the worst bait of all to a lonely man.”

His mind dozed. Murder slapped him aware again. Now Red Tom, Gum Tom, was too tired to kill himself.

“My father, I’m sorry. I can’t help it. You overestimated me. You were wrong. I wish I could justify the love and the pride you squandered on me. Maybe you could figure a way out, but I can’t. I cannot live. I’ve killed Dessie and I want to sleep.”

In uncertainty I am certain that underneath their topmost layers of frailty men want to be good and want to be loved. Indeed, most of their vices are attempted short cuts to love.

Quite famiar.