Hi everyone, I recently finished reading East of Eden. As seems to be the general consensus on this sub, it was one of the best books I have ever read.

I have had a few questions bouncing around in my head since reading it, and I didn't really have anyone to talk to about it. So I was hoping I could prompt a discussion here that would shed some light on my questions, and perhaps those that others have.

So here we go.

1 - At the end of the book, when Adam says "Timshel" in response to Lee's exhortation for the forgiveness of Caleb, what is the intention of him saying this? Is he condemning Caleb by saying essentially that he chose his action and thus Lee's attempt to explain his action is invalid? Or, is he forgiving Caleb in the sense that he is saying that he is not condemned to a future of evil, that his past does not dictate his future, that "he may" take any path he chooses in the future? What do you take from him saying "Timshel"?

2 - Why does the sheriff "know" that the man/men he essentially saved by burning the defamatory photographs from the brothel will hate him for doing what he did? Shouldn't he admire him for this action? Does he hate him because he is the last thing that knows his past behavior, and thus holds a power over him? Or he projects a feeling of superiority onto the sheriff which does not actually exist, but which cannot be expiated?

3 - Regarding Lee and Abra. Was there something there? Does Abra imply that she somehow cheated on Aron? Or does this simply amount to her speaking of her loss of love for him? What is it between Lee and Abra that I am missing? Why does he admire her so much? Is it that unlike Aron, she is intelligent and capable of evil, yet generally chooses good?

4- Why does Cathy/Kate kill herself? Is Aron the final straw? What pushes her over the edge, from an inveterate "monster" absent of any regret or remorse, to someone consumed by pain and potentially what I see as remorse/sadness?