One of the most evil side characters in the history of
literature is Catherine Ames (Trask) from East of Eden. John Steinbeck was symbolically following the biblical story of Cain and Abel and unlike the other ‘Cain’
characters, whose names also started with a C, Cathy had almost no redeeming
qualities. (Ironically her son Cal was more ‘Abel’ than the other ‘Cain’s)
Cathy manipulated the world around her with such subtlety
that it was virtually undetectable. She knew that mankind had weaknesses and
pushed those weaknesses to serve her purposes, in a way that her victims held
themselves responsible and hid the truth for shame. To everyone else Cathy was
an ‘Abel’, a victim, and not even her parents or her husband could really see
her for what she was. Her desires were demonic, her deeds pure evil, and yet
her smile was charming. Later in
the book she became the Madame of a whorehouse (by poisoning the previous one) and I can’t imagine the hell
that those girls must have lived through under her care. She ruined the lives
of everyone around her and literally felt no guilt.
“I believe there are monsters born in the
world to human parents.”
-John Steinbeck’s first sentence in
describing Cathy Ames.
Have any of you read East of Eden? What do you think of Ms.
Cathy?
Your post is making me want to read it, but no I have not read it yet.
ReplyDeleteI tend to shy away from anything Oprah picks, but if you recommend it I will have to give it a try. Cathy sounds like a fantastic character!
ReplyDeleteWow, blew me away on this one. She is perfectly evil! WHat a first line describing her!
ReplyDeleteWow! I apparently need to read this classic. She does sound like a killer character.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a line! She definitely sounds killer. I'll have to check out the book.
ReplyDeleteno redeeming qualities! love to hate her and be shocked at her atrocities!
ReplyDeletegreat choice & summation =)
I love this book. Hated Cathy all the way through it but love this book.
ReplyDeleteHaven't read it, but now I will... Ms. Cathy sounds like a villain worth getting to know :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh, I had forgotten all about Cathy, and I can't believe I did. She was such an excellent villain, and Steinbeck's line about her is so perfect. Great choice!
ReplyDeleteFantastic choice. Pure evil is enticing and revolting at the same time. Cathy embodies both, which is hard to find in a supporting character.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read it, but she sounds like a fascinating character.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice. How is it that I didn't know about her? Agh! Now you have intrigued me and I must check this out! :)
ReplyDeleteI probably wouldn't have thought of picking up this book if it weren't for this blog post. This lady sounds horrible but intriguing!
ReplyDeleteI did mean to read more "grown up" books this year and Steinbeck IS classic. Thanks for the rec!
I've never read this. Cathy sounds like someone I would love to hate!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great choice for a supporting character!
ReplyDeleteYes, I read it, and I also saw the version with Jane Seymour in the role. I think she frightened me more than the "scary monster" kinds of characters do - because there are, sometimes, real people who are just so mean and manipulative and narcissitic as to be evil. She scared the heck out of me.
ReplyDeleteI have not read, or heard of this, but it sounds really good.
ReplyDelete