The human mind cannot grasp the causes of events in their completeness but the desire to find those causes is implanted in the human soul. And the human mind, without considering the multiplicity and complexity of the conditions of any one of which taken separately may seem to be the cause, seizes the first approximation to the cause that seems to him intelligible and says: “This is the cause!” —Leo Tolstoy (p. 1062, Oxford World Classics edition)Welcome back to R&W’s deep read of War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy!In this episode, Shari and Rhea’s discussion circulates through three major events and themes: Andrei’s death, Pierre’s new life, and the incalculable spirit of the army. They hold up each of these things to Tolstoy’s quote above. They talk about the counterpoint between Andrei and Pierre’s stories, between Kutuzov and the rest of the Russian generals, and between men’s hearts turned outward v. turned inward and how this affects the “spirit of the army.” They compare the narrative style and expression of themes in War and Peace v. East of Eden. And, they talk about how much Pierre digs his rope belt and homemade leather boots.For it being more or less a snoozer of a section (forgive me, military strategist lovers), the ladies end up finding a lot of interesting things to talk about!Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode, please give it some ❤️ and share it with others.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe
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East of Eden | Part 4
Welcome back to East of Eden. In this episode, Shari and Rhea begin at the heart of the story, which happens to also be the center. They talk about naming, symbols, timshel, and what it took to make Adam wake up after 11 years of fallowness. They talk about the Hamilton children: Tom wrestling with greatness, Una’s death, and Dessie’s love that destroyed her joy. They talk about the difference between the feel of the story between the Hamiltons and Trasks. They wonder about Lee’s ideas about rejectiona and guilt, Samuel’s ideas on greatness, and Cathy’s thoughts on goodness (which is wild). And, they make mention of how here in the heart of the novel is also the most excellent example of how to close read a story—a Bible story at that. :DNext week the ladies will be discussing Chapters 26-32.We’d love to hear what struck you about this section of the novel. East of Eden is full of the Great Story. What connections do you find most compelling? What about the Great Conversation in general?Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode, ❤️ it and share it!The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, please become a free or paid subscriber. Thank you! Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe
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East of Eden | Part 3
You’re going to pass something down no matter what you do or if you do nothing. Even if you let yourself go fallow, the weeds will grow and the brambles. Something will grow.—Samuel HamiltonWelcome back to East of Eden!In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss Cathy, Cathy, and more Cathy. They talk about the narrator’s questioning of whether or not she truly is a monster, or simply lacks a common language with the rest of humanity. They discuss the art of listening, Samuel Hamilton’s sage advice to Adam, Liza’s certainty that Lee’s a Presbyterian, eyes and hands as windows into the soul, original sin, and chalk eating.Biblical references discussed in this section:* Genesis 3:20-21* Job 14:1-5* Matthew 25:31-46Next week’s discussion will cover: Chapters 22-25Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked it ❤️ it and share it!The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe
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East of Eden | Part 2
The ways of sin are curious. I guess if a man had to shuck off everything he had, inside and out, he’d manage to hide a few little sins somewhere of his own discomfort.” —Samuel HamiltonWelcome back to East of Eden. In this episode, Rhea and Shari discuss the ways Steinbeck’s story “of everything” is unfolding: the juxtaposition between the Trasks and Hamiltons, the essays that open each new part of the story, and other continuing contrasts that Steinbeck isn’t trying at all to hide. They continue last week’s discussion of faith without love, and add to their wondering the glory of man, the glory of God, and the glory of God in man. They also ask a series of questions worth thinking about as we all read forward together:* Who is this story about? The Trasks? The Hamiltons? the Salinas Valley?* What is the effect of Steinbeck making himself so visible as the voice of the narrator?* Who is Cathy, really??* What is Samuel’s role in this story?* What is the “glory” being named in the story? What is the “glory” being expressed?* What is faith without love? Next week: Chapters 16-21Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this post, ❤️ it and share it.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe
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East of Eden | Part 1
Welcome to East of Eden, where life and death, good and evil, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, and even the flora and fauna live at Biblical proportions.In this episode, Rhea and Shari look closely at the opening two chapters for what it is showing us as it unfolds. They discuss the powerful living presence of the land, the repetition of words and ideas, the motifs of the east, parenting, light and darkness, life and death, plenty and waste. They talk about the strange nature of the narrator, sin and genetics, and the idea of timshel: “Thou mayest rule over sin.” And, they ask a couple really hard questions: Can a person have faith in someone and not love that person? Can a person be born evil to his or her core? If you haven’t seen Rhea’s reading guide post for East of Eden, you can find it here:Next week they will be discussing Chapters 9-15.Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this post, please ❤️ it and share it!The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our literary work, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe
Our lives, from their beginnings, are storied, and find their fullness when nestled securely within the Great Story; the one that opens, “In the Beginning…” Here on The Reader and the Writer, we delight in and give witness to that Great Story by reading and discussing those excellent works of literature written since. thereaderandthewriter.substack.com
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