East of Eden (1955) - Quotes

Paradise Lost in a Searing Classic

Taglines: The searing classic of paradise lost.

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Ecstasy and Revenge: A Tale of Actions

Taglines: Of what a girl did . . . what a boy did ... of ecstasy and revenge!

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Understanding Human Nature and Self-Recognition

Cal: Nothing.

Kate: Maybe you know what I'm talking about, huh? Always so right himself?

Cal: [chuckles] Yeah.

Kate: Yeah. Maybe like you said out there, maybe you are more like me. You got sense. Maybe you don't fall for that slop any more than I do. Maybe you know what people are really like, what they want.

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Questioning Morality and Relationships

Abra: Cal, can I ask you something?

Cal: Yeah, go ahead.

Abra: [Cal shrugs; Cal shakes his head; Cal is silent] These girls you always go around with... you know, there was that little Mexican girl once? What do girls like that like? I mean, you don't really love them, do you? Then why do you go out with them? Is it because you're bad? Well, why do you, then? Are you bad, Cal?

Cal: Do you think I'm bad?

Abra: I don't know. I guess I don't know what's good and what's bad. I mean, Aron is so good, and I'm not. Not good enough for Aron, anyway. Sometimes when I'm with Aron... well, Aron likes to talk about our being in love and think about it, and that's all right, but... these girls that you go out with, do they... maybe I don't know what love is, exactly. I know love is good, the way Aron says, but... it's more than that, it's got to be! I shouldn't talk to you this way, Cal, I shouldn't, but I don't know who else to talk to. And sometimes I think I'm really bad. Sometimes I don't know what to think.

Cal: Well, Aron will knock that of out of you.

Abra: Will he?

Cal: He's got to.

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Confession and Forgiveness in Dialogue

Adam: [Adam gives Cal the Bible to read] Start at the fifth verse. Verse 5.

Cal: I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Adam: Go on.

Cal: Six..

Adam: And I suggest a little slower, Cal. And you don't have to read the verse numbers.

Cal: For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee. And surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Selah." Seven..

Adam: Not the numbers, Cal...

Cal: Thou art my hiding place, thou shalt preserve me from trouble, thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah." Eight...

Adam: You have no repentance! You're bad! Through and through, bad!

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Sibling Rivalry and Parental Expectations

Aron: Staying out again tonight?

Cal: What difference does it make? You're here, aren't you? You're the one he wants!

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The Irony of Purity and Money

Kate: Your father. He's the purest man there is, isn't he? Oh, he thought he had me all tied up with his purity. Now I give you $5000 of the money I made to save his purity. If you don't think that's funny, you'd better not go to college.

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A Confident Declaration of Power and Influence

Kate: I got the toughest house on the coast, and the finest clientele. Half the stinking city hall go here. They sneak in at night, and I walk in this front door in the day time.

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Questioning Father's Beliefs in Biblical Context

Kate: Your father still thinks he's living in the Bible, huh?

The Impact of Unconditional Love

Abra: Mr. Trask, it's awful not to be loved. It's the worst thing in the world. Don't ask me - even if you could - how I know that. I just know it. It makes you mean, and violent, and cruel. And that's the way Cal has always felt, Mr. Trask. All his life! Maybe you didn't mean it that way - but it's true. You never gave him your love. You never asked for his. You never asked him for one thing. But you must give him some sign, Mr. Trask, some sign that you love him... or he'll never be a man. All his life he'll feel guilty and alone unless you release him.

Self-Perception and Idealization in Love

Abra: The way I figure it out Aron never having had a mother he's made her everything good that he can think of and that's what he thinks I am. That's who he's in love with. It's not me at all. Cause I'm not a bit like that made- up one. Not a bit. I don't mean I think I'm really bad.

Determination and the Power of Will

Cal Trask: It's gonna work because it's got to work and it's got to work because I said so!

The Burden of Jealousy and Love

Cal Trask: I've been jealous all my life. Jealous, I couldn't even stand it. Tonight, I even tried to buy your love, but now I don't want it anymore... I can't use it anymore. I don't want any kind of love anymore. It doesn't pay off.

The Power of Choice in Defining Identity

Cal Trask: Man has a choice and it's a choice that makes him a man.

A Father's Wish for His Son's Life

Adam Trask: Son, I'd be happy if you'd give me something like your brother's given me. Something honest and human and good. Don't be angry, Son. If you want to give me a present, give me a good life. That's something I could value.