How does the concept of timshel connect with characters' individual responsibility and potential for happiness? How does a character's ability or inability to believe in Timshel impact his or her life?
The concept of Timshel or 'thou mayest' connects with the characters individual and potential for happiness in that it gives the character an option in what it is they pursue in life. In this novel, the main idea is one's choice between good and evil. A character's ability to believe in Timshel is more likely to impact one's life in a positive way. If a character believes that he or she is given the opportunity to choose their own fate, whether its good or evil, they are more likely to succeed in life. If a character refuses to believe in Timshel they are most often convinced that it is only their descendents that control their own fate. Those who have an inability to believe in this saying are more likely to live a life filled with hate and unhappiness.
Timshel is the concept that every man has a choice to become good or evil no matter what their upbringing. This effects personal hapiness just as it did Cal and even Aron as well, both in different ways however. Cal felt that he was the lesser child and was bound to his life of resentment and mischief (similar to Cain from cain and abel. This is all a result of him believing he could never change his destiny of being lesser than his brother and it fueled him to be depressed. Aron on the other hand did believe in Timshel and even demonstrated that while on his death bed when he told his brother to believe in it with his last word being "Timshel!" (601) as his eyes closed and he went off into sleep. This ability to creat his own destiny and live a happy life effected him greatly and lead to him having a better quality of life, however it did ultimately end up killing him as he joined the army to try and cope with his mother being a prostitute. Which means it impacted his life in a huge way by ending up taking it in the long run.
Timeshel is a Greek phrase which means “thou mayest.” Though the book seems to present the idea that personality and attitude can be passed from generation to generation, a sudden realization by Caleb proves this initial assumption to be incorrect. Caleb and Aron seem to inherit the personalities of Charles and Adam, respectively. Through the course novel Caleb struggles with his inherently sadistic personality and struggles to live in comparison with his goodhearted brother, Aron. When Caleb visits his mother Cathy at her brothel he finally learns that he is able to control his own personality. He says, “And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual. (131)” This statement is representative of his epiphany that he can control his life, and he is not doomed to be as cruel and vindictive as his mother. This allows him the freedom to use his mind and choose his destiny.
The concept of timshel connects with characters' individual responsibility by giving them the choice to do what they think they must do. Each character has a responsibility but they still get to choose whether to do it or not. This concept also connects with the characters' potential for happiness by giving the characters a choice to be happy or miserable. Timshel is something that allows people to feel free. If a character believes in Timshel, he or she will have a better perspective on life because they feel like they are not controlled by anyone or anything. The character can change his/her life even if it started out badly or if this person did not have good values to begin with. Believing in Timshel shows people that they can do something with their lives and not just waste it away because someone or something said they were supposed to do something else. If someone does not believe in Timshel, he or she will not have that sense of freedom and will not have that motivation to do something with his or her life. Also, it can make this person think that they have no chance in changing the way he or she acts. Timshel impacts people's lives whether they believe in it or not. -Marissa S.
Tyler- I think you confused Aron with Adam, but that is the general idea. So much of the second half of this novel focuses on Cal's struggle for a sense of autonomy, but I think that parallel with this is Adam's continuing struggle. When Adam dies and says "Timshel" to his son, I think this is as much about the father as the son. As Lee explained earlier, "that [Timshel] makes a man great, that gives him stature with the gods, for in his weakness and his filth and his murder of his brother he has still the great choice...it [the human soul] is a lovely and unique thing in the universe" (304-5).
When Adam says "Timshel" perhaps he is saying many more things about himself and Cal than that he simply has a choice....
The hebrew word, timshel, which means 'thou mayest' is a concept that allows every character the chance to choose good over evil or happiness over sadness. I really like Graham's point when he says if a character believes that he or she is given the opportunity to choose their own fate, whether its good or evil, they are more likely to succeed in life. I agree with this statement 100%. If you allow yourself to believe in Timshel then you only leave room for good thoughts and prevent bad thoughts from creaping into your head. Thou mayest gives you the chance to make the choice over good and evil so you as an invidiual are allowed to control your own fate. If you want to be good, then think of Timshel as a positive phrase but if you do not care about your actions then theres a good chance you do not believe in timshel.
Timshel, the Hebrew word meaning "Thou Mayest," means that one can chose between good and evil. This connects with the characters' individual responsibility and potential happiness, for the character has a choice and the results of their decision may result in either positive or negative consequences. For example, in the end of the novel when Adam says,"Timshell!"(601) it can be assumed that Cal will chose good over evil. Timshel is a way for Adam to tell his son that he is forgiven, while also emphasizing the theme of good versus evil. Cal's ability to believe in Timshel will further impact his life, for he can now be a happier person since he no longer feels as guilty for the cause of his brother's death. This will then affect his life positivly since he can freely coose his path in life. Although he did not directly kill his brother, he knew how his brother would react to the news of their mother, Cathy, therefore Cal feels responsible for his death and for the death of his father. Instead of ending the novel with two protagonists dying, the concept of the Timshel creates a happy ending becasue Cal's life is now open to new opportunity due to his forgivness.
The concept of timshel, or "thou mayest" is obviously key in Steinbeck's novel. I say obviously only because it was the dying words of a main character on the last page of the novel :o). I think an interesting point to begin looking at this idea from is when Adam says, "It makes me feel better...we are descended from this. This is our father. Some of our guilt is absorbed in our ancestry. What chance did we have? We are the children of our father" (267). At this point, Adam is looking at the story of Cain and Abel as an explination of our evils, seemingly showing us that they are unavoidable because we all descend from a man who had evil inside of him. However, Lee soon reveals that there are multiple versions of this story, or more specifically, of a phrase in the story. Their version of the story uses the phrase "thou shalt" in the sentence, "unto thee shall be his [sin's] desire, and thou shalt rule over him" (266). However, the Hebrew version contains the word "timshel" meaning, as I have said, "thou mayest". This wording emphasises the ability that every man has to chose his own fate, whether he be good, or sucume to the evil that lays inside of him. The extent to which the characters find the power to believe in this determines how able they are to find happiness in their lives. This struggle is seen in every character, but it is seen most clearly in Cal who continually recognizes and acknowledges his evil acts but valently struggles to chose good. "Dear Lord," he says in grieving earnest, "let me be like Aron. Don't make me be mean... I don't want to be mean. I don't want to be lonely" (382). When Cal learns of his mother and all of her sins and evil, he is devestated because he recognizes that he is the descendent of this evil. Like Adam, he is tempted to use this as an excuse, a reason to give up the battle to be good. However, Lee reminds him that "whatever you do, it will be you who do it" (not his mother) (445). Ultimately, I feel that Cal does conquer the evil inside of him. I think that it will always linger, as it can probably never be destroyed in anyone, but his father has left him with the gift of acceptance and the gift of "thou mayest".
Timshel is an reoccuring concept in "East of Eden" that really drives home the idea that each character is able to choose their path in life, mainly choosing between good and evil. Timshel translates to "Thou Mayest", and in this case the completion of the sentence that applies to this novel is "Thou mayest choose between good and evil". Almost every character in this book had this choice, and in every situation this choice impacted not only their own lives but lives of those who live around them. For example, on page 23 when Charles first started to beat his brother Adam, this was a choice of his and in turn it ruined his life. His brother went of to the military and his father moved away, so he was left alone to fend for himself, and his choices led to the sad, empty life that Steinbeck portrays Charles to have. More important than the choices in this novel and the consequences they lead into is the choice of Cal, in which is up to the reader to determine how his life is going to span out.
"Adam looked up with sick weariness. His lips parted and failed and tried again. Then his lungs filled. He expelled the air and his lips combed the rushing sigh. His wispered word seemed to hang in the air: 'Tishmel!' (601)."
This last word that Adam spoke was not only said because Lee was encouraging him to say something to his only remaining descendant, but to forgive Cal so that he can have this guilt lifted off of his shoulders, so that "thou mayest" choose the path he wants to take in life. Cal needs to carry on the name for his family in a positive light, and if he is full of guilt and remorse, those are not qualities that allow one to lead a productive light. He made a mistake, and had to pay for it enough on the inside, now, Adam acting as God, can replenish Cal and forgive him for his sins. He is not free to choose between good and evil once more, and the reader suspects that he will make the better choice, not only because he knows better but he owes it to his recently deceased brother and father.
Believing in Timshel freed characters in the book to make choices not based on the characterization they have placed on themselves or what society has placed to them. When Lee is pleading with Adam to free his son and to just give him his blessing Adam respnds with timshel(602). Being freed allowed for happiness. When Cal believes himself to be evil he wonders if can can do any good. Having this mentality could lead the character to choose the option that seems to suit what they believed to be true about themself. It is easier to do this than to do something uncharacteristic but make them happier. Cal is now given the opertunity to over come the evil in himself. Cathy believes that some people are just evil and this traps her in a world of unhappiness that eventually leads her to commit suicide. She believes herself to be evil and refuses to do any good what so ever. She is selfish and to the extreme only does things that will benefit herself not matter the cost because she can get out of the punishment.
Grace, I found it interesting that you included a quote about ancestry and the transmission of sin through a family because I think that one of Steinbeck's goals was to contradict the idea that sins of one's family negatively affect that person. Also, it was interesting that this connects to the biblical concept of original sin. As you pointed out, Cal overcomes this struggle but does not erradicate sin from his life. That got me thinking about the idea of an imperfect human actually being the most perfect (if that makes any sense...). What I mean is that while it is best to try to make good and ethical choices, it is simply human to be flawed. Steinbeck shows this idea in the novel through Aron and Cal. Aron represses his misery (perhaps unfulfillment is a flaw) and continues to a path of self destruction. Cal, on the other hand, accepts the good and the bad in his life and tries to move ahead. Cal understands timshel in its entirety, most likely beyond a choice; maybe he realizes, through the uterance by his father, that forgiveness, hope, and opportunity are also part of the word. - Chris Griffey
The concept of Timshel or 'thou mayest' connects with the characters individual and potential for happiness in that it gives the character an option in what it is they pursue in life. In this novel, the main idea is one's choice between good and evil. A character's ability to believe in Timshel is more likely to impact one's life in a positive way. If a character believes that he or she is given the opportunity to choose their own fate, whether its good or evil, they are more likely to succeed in life. If a character refuses to believe in Timshel they are most often convinced that it is only their descendents that control their own fate. Those who have an inability to believe in this saying are more likely to live a life filled with hate and unhappiness.
ReplyDelete-Graham
Timshel is the concept that every man has a choice to become good or evil no matter what their upbringing. This effects personal hapiness just as it did Cal and even Aron as well, both in different ways however. Cal felt that he was the lesser child and was bound to his life of resentment and mischief (similar to Cain from cain and abel. This is all a result of him believing he could never change his destiny of being lesser than his brother and it fueled him to be depressed. Aron on the other hand did believe in Timshel and even demonstrated that while on his death bed when he told his brother to believe in it with his last word being "Timshel!" (601) as his eyes closed and he went off into sleep. This ability to creat his own destiny and live a happy life effected him greatly and lead to him having a better quality of life, however it did ultimately end up killing him as he joined the army to try and cope with his mother being a prostitute. Which means it impacted his life in a huge way by ending up taking it in the long run.
ReplyDelete--Tyler/;;,
Aron doesn't say that or die like that. That was Adam on his death bed telling Cal "Timshel"
DeleteTimeshel is a Greek phrase which means “thou mayest.” Though the book seems to present the idea that personality and attitude can be passed from generation to generation, a sudden realization by Caleb proves this initial assumption to be incorrect. Caleb and Aron seem to inherit the personalities of Charles and Adam, respectively. Through the course novel Caleb struggles with his inherently sadistic personality and struggles to live in comparison with his goodhearted brother, Aron.
ReplyDeleteWhen Caleb visits his mother Cathy at her brothel he finally learns that he is able to control his own personality. He says, “And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual. (131)” This statement is representative of his epiphany that he can control his life, and he is not doomed to be as cruel and vindictive as his mother. This allows him the freedom to use his mind and choose his destiny.
~ joanna ostrosky
It's not Greek, it's Hebrew.
DeleteThe concept of timshel connects with characters' individual responsibility by giving them the choice to do what they think they must do. Each character has a responsibility but they still get to choose whether to do it or not. This concept also connects with the characters' potential for happiness by giving the characters a choice to be happy or miserable. Timshel is something that allows people to feel free. If a character believes in Timshel, he or she will have a better perspective on life because they feel like they are not controlled by anyone or anything. The character can change his/her life even if it started out badly or if this person did not have good values to begin with. Believing in Timshel shows people that they can do something with their lives and not just waste it away because someone or something said they were supposed to do something else. If someone does not believe in Timshel, he or she will not have that sense of freedom and will not have that motivation to do something with his or her life. Also, it can make this person think that they have no chance in changing the way he or she acts. Timshel impacts people's lives whether they believe in it or not.
ReplyDelete-Marissa S.
Tyler- I think you confused Aron with Adam, but that is the general idea. So much of the second half of this novel focuses on Cal's struggle for a sense of autonomy, but I think that parallel with this is Adam's continuing struggle. When Adam dies and says "Timshel" to his son, I think this is as much about the father as the son. As Lee explained earlier, "that [Timshel] makes a man great, that gives him stature with the gods, for in his weakness and his filth and his murder of his brother he has still the great choice...it [the human soul] is a lovely and unique thing in the universe" (304-5).
ReplyDeleteWhen Adam says "Timshel" perhaps he is saying many more things about himself and Cal than that he simply has a choice....
-Ms. Coppens
The hebrew word, timshel, which means 'thou mayest' is a concept that allows every character the chance to choose good over evil or happiness over sadness. I really like Graham's point when he says if a character believes that he or she is given the opportunity to choose their own fate, whether its good or evil, they are more likely to succeed in life. I agree with this statement 100%. If you allow yourself to believe in Timshel then you only leave room for good thoughts and prevent bad thoughts from creaping into your head. Thou mayest gives you the chance to make the choice over good and evil so you as an invidiual are allowed to control your own fate. If you want to be good, then think of Timshel as a positive phrase but if you do not care about your actions then theres a good chance you do not believe in timshel.
ReplyDelete-Bobby
Timshel, the Hebrew word meaning "Thou Mayest," means that one can chose between good and evil. This connects with the characters' individual responsibility and potential happiness, for the character has a choice and the results of their decision may result in either positive or negative consequences. For example, in the end of the novel when Adam says,"Timshell!"(601) it can be assumed that Cal will chose good over evil. Timshel is a way for Adam to tell his son that he is forgiven, while also emphasizing the theme of good versus evil. Cal's ability to believe in Timshel will further impact his life, for he can now be a happier person since he no longer feels as guilty for the cause of his brother's death. This will then affect his life positivly since he can freely coose his path in life. Although he did not directly kill his brother, he knew how his brother would react to the news of their mother, Cathy, therefore Cal feels responsible for his death and for the death of his father. Instead of ending the novel with two protagonists dying, the concept of the Timshel creates a happy ending becasue Cal's life is now open to new opportunity due to his forgivness.
ReplyDelete-jenny r
correction to my post*** I meant to say Adam is the person who said "timshel" when he was on his death bed.
ReplyDelete-Tyler
The concept of timshel, or "thou mayest" is obviously key in Steinbeck's novel. I say obviously only because it was the dying words of a main character on the last page of the novel :o). I think an interesting point to begin looking at this idea from is when Adam says, "It makes me feel better...we are descended from this. This is our father. Some of our guilt is absorbed in our ancestry. What chance did we have? We are the children of our father" (267). At this point, Adam is looking at the story of Cain and Abel as an explination of our evils, seemingly showing us that they are unavoidable because we all descend from a man who had evil inside of him. However, Lee soon reveals that there are multiple versions of this story, or more specifically, of a phrase in the story. Their version of the story uses the phrase "thou shalt" in the sentence, "unto thee shall be his [sin's] desire, and thou shalt rule over him" (266). However, the Hebrew version contains the word "timshel" meaning, as I have said, "thou mayest". This wording emphasises the ability that every man has to chose his own fate, whether he be good, or sucume to the evil that lays inside of him. The extent to which the characters find the power to believe in this determines how able they are to find happiness in their lives. This struggle is seen in every character, but it is seen most clearly in Cal who continually recognizes and acknowledges his evil acts but valently struggles to chose good. "Dear Lord," he says in grieving earnest, "let me be like Aron. Don't make me be mean... I don't want to be mean. I don't want to be lonely" (382). When Cal learns of his mother and all of her sins and evil, he is devestated because he recognizes that he is the descendent of this evil. Like Adam, he is tempted to use this as an excuse, a reason to give up the battle to be good. However, Lee reminds him that "whatever you do, it will be you who do it" (not his mother) (445). Ultimately, I feel that Cal does conquer the evil inside of him. I think that it will always linger, as it can probably never be destroyed in anyone, but his father has left him with the gift of acceptance and the gift of "thou mayest".
ReplyDeleteGrace D
Timshel is an reoccuring concept in "East of Eden" that really drives home the idea that each character is able to choose their path in life, mainly choosing between good and evil. Timshel translates to "Thou Mayest", and in this case the completion of the sentence that applies to this novel is "Thou mayest choose between good and evil". Almost every character in this book had this choice, and in every situation this choice impacted not only their own lives but lives of those who live around them. For example, on page 23 when Charles first started to beat his brother Adam, this was a choice of his and in turn it ruined his life. His brother went of to the military and his father moved away, so he was left alone to fend for himself, and his choices led to the sad, empty life that Steinbeck portrays Charles to have. More important than the choices in this novel and the consequences they lead into is the choice of Cal, in which is up to the reader to determine how his life is going to span out.
ReplyDelete"Adam looked up with sick weariness. His lips parted and failed and tried again. Then his lungs filled. He expelled the air and his lips combed the rushing sigh. His wispered word seemed to hang in the air: 'Tishmel!' (601)."
This last word that Adam spoke was not only said because Lee was encouraging him to say something to his only remaining descendant, but to forgive Cal so that he can have this guilt lifted off of his shoulders, so that "thou mayest" choose the path he wants to take in life. Cal needs to carry on the name for his family in a positive light, and if he is full of guilt and remorse, those are not qualities that allow one to lead a productive light. He made a mistake, and had to pay for it enough on the inside, now, Adam acting as God, can replenish Cal and forgive him for his sins. He is not free to choose between good and evil once more, and the reader suspects that he will make the better choice, not only because he knows better but he owes it to his recently deceased brother and father.
emily kutch
Believing in Timshel freed characters in the book to make choices not based on the characterization they have placed on themselves or what society has placed to them. When Lee is pleading with Adam to free his son and to just give him his blessing Adam respnds with timshel(602). Being freed allowed for happiness. When Cal believes himself to be evil he wonders if can can do any good. Having this mentality could lead the character to choose the option that seems to suit what they believed to be true about themself. It is easier to do this than to do something uncharacteristic but make them happier. Cal is now given the opertunity to over come the evil in himself. Cathy believes that some people are just evil and this traps her in a world of unhappiness that eventually leads her to commit suicide. She believes herself to be evil and refuses to do any good what so ever. She is selfish and to the extreme only does things that will benefit herself not matter the cost because she can get out of the punishment.
ReplyDeleteCatherine Handford
Grace, I found it interesting that you included a quote about ancestry and the transmission of sin through a family because I think that one of Steinbeck's goals was to contradict the idea that sins of one's family negatively affect that person. Also, it was interesting that this connects to the biblical concept of original sin. As you pointed out, Cal overcomes this struggle but does not erradicate sin from his life. That got me thinking about the idea of an imperfect human actually being the most perfect (if that makes any sense...). What I mean is that while it is best to try to make good and ethical choices, it is simply human to be flawed. Steinbeck shows this idea in the novel through Aron and Cal. Aron represses his misery (perhaps unfulfillment is a flaw) and continues to a path of self destruction. Cal, on the other hand, accepts the good and the bad in his life and tries to move ahead. Cal understands timshel in its entirety, most likely beyond a choice; maybe he realizes, through the uterance by his father, that forgiveness, hope, and opportunity are also part of the word.
ReplyDelete- Chris Griffey