What Is The Worst Thing Catherine Ames Did????????????????????????????

                                 Recently I embarked on, and completed, a fifth reading of what I consider The Great American Epic Novel--John Steinbeck's "East Of Eden."  A biblical allegory, Cahterine is the Eve figure of the novel--evil.  She murders her parents, abandons her family, eventually running the kinkiest house of prostitution in a town in the Salinas Valley in California.  She is pure evil, and yet without her there would be no story.  She continues to fascinate readers.

                                  But what is the worst thing she did?  To me, it happened early, when she was just fourteen, as in the picture suggested above.

                                    During her time in school, then there arrived a Latin teacher by the name of James Grew.  He was young, but with a tragic past.  He is described as a "failed seminarian," but Steinbeck never states how he failed and came to leave the seminary.  He is tormented from the moment he enters the story, and the torment only gets worse when Cathy sets her sights on him.  Like all skilled at evil, she is able to accomplish deeds without anyone else being aware of them--until it is too late.

                                      Focusing on Grew, Cathy lures him with her youthful sexuality.  The young teacher is attracted, but tormented by his feelings, torn between lust and holiness.  Eventually, he gives in and the two have a sexual relationship, usually in the school where he teaches.

                                     One late evening, Grew desperately knocks on the door of the Ames house, imploring Mr. Ames to let him explain something. Ames never gives him the chance and slams the door.  Cathy is listening from her bedroom door, but closes it, smiling at the outcome.

                                        Again, Steinbeck never clarifies what Grew wanted to tell Ames, but it is pretty clear to the reader.  The next day, the body of Grew is found at the foot of the church altar.  He is dead, having shot himself to death.

                                         Yes, James Grew pulled the trigger, but who is really responsible for this?

                                         Catherine Ames.  She knew Grew's torment, and she drove him to suicide.

                                          Had this been her only ill deed, it would have stood out as an ultimate deed of evil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!