By: Gowri Sunil

Opinion Editor

Set across multiple generations, John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel East of Eden centers around the intertwined Trask and Hamilton families as they navigate the choice between good and evil. On Oct. 1, Netflix released a seven-episode series created by Zoe Kazan, 74 years after the book’s publication. Instead of merely translating the story onto the screen, the adaptation redefines some of Steinbeck’s characters and plot, putting a new twist on a time honored story. 

East of Eden’s most famous film adaptation was released in 1955 and directed by Elia Kazan, Zoe Kazan’s own grandfather. The 1955 version of the novel mostly focuses on the latter part of its storyline, capturing the relationship between Adam Trask and his two sons. Kazan read East of Eden as a teenager; for the updated version of the show she decided to draw from letters exchanged between Steinbeck and his editor while Steinbeck was writing the novel. Unlike the film, the format of the new Netflix version allows Kazan to explore the earlier generations of the story and the prior events that significantly shaped the Trask family. This timeline provides more time to dive further into the characters’ backstories and motivations. Even with seven episodes, the series does not recreate every part of Steinbeck’s lengthy plot, rather fixating on the Trasks and Cathy Ames. 

In the Netflix adaptation, Cathy Ames differs considerably from past interpretations, played by acclaimed actress Florence Pugh. In Steinbeck’s original version, Cathy is portrayed as inherently evil and even referred to as a monster. Kazan’s adaptation instead gives Cathy more perspective and complexity. Kazan explained that she wanted Cathy to be “a person and not just an archetype” while still keeping her roots from the original novel. Kazan goes about this by unfolding what she claims was already present in Cathy’s character as opposed to completely rewriting it. In doing so, the show shifts how viewers understand Cathy and the overall idea surrounding the line between good and evil. 

Kazan’s modification has also been a driving factor in its decidedly mixed critical reception. The Financial Times praised the series for its explanations on even the coldest characters, highlighting it as a modern touch. However, the Wall Street Journal criticized the additional drama to a character Steinbeck purposely left blank. The contrasting reviews only further underline the importance of Cathy’s interpretation amidst Steinbeck’s core themes. 

Despite its changes, Netflix’s East of Eden does not necessarily abandon Steinbeck’s main ideas. At its core, the story highlights the concept of timshel, or thou mayest, which symbolizes the choice not to be defined by one’s previous actions. Kazan particularly emphasizes timshel in the new series, and by adding nuance to the characters, Netflix approaches Steinbeck’s moral theme a little differently. Instead of reiterating the original, the series provides a fresher take for a newer generation of audiences. 

(Sources: Financial Times, Forbes, Netflix, The Guardian, WSJ)