Welcome back to East of Eden. In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss the extreme amount of grayness at this point in the narrative: Tom’s Gray One, Aron’s gray mind, and Kate’s gray room. They discuss “fake it ‘til you make it” versus perseverance for the sake of the other. Shari questions her earlier thoughts on Samuel Hamilton’s version of greatness, and and how Hamilton “greatness” expresses itself in the various characters. And of course, they discuss the ONE TRUE story as Steinbeck expresses it, and whether or not they agree. Is the one story in the world the story of good and evil? Or is it of love and rescue?Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you like this episode, show 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 do, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe
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1:11:13
East of Eden | Part 5
Welcome back to East of Eden. In this episode, Shari and Rhea have a whole host of discussions: relationships, counterpoints, and how “thou mayest” factors into all of it. They talk about Lee as the new Samuel Hamilton, Lee as a friend, and Lee as the mother Cal and Aron never had. They talk about characters and their relationships to their own pasts and futures, and how considering this in our own lives could offer interesting insights as well. They discuss nature v. nurture, land and people - people and land, and lies that infect everything. Rhea offers a lively discourse over education. And then she give a spoiler about Santa Claus. You’ve been warned.Next week, they will discuss Chapters 33-40.Don’t forget to check out Rhea’s reading guide post for East of Eden. Lots of great stuff for learning and considering:Thanks for listening to this edition 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, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe
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1:06:09
War and Peace | 10
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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1:18:50
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1:18:50
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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1:09:00
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1:09:00
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
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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