“Living is people, not places...I think I have no ‘ place’ home. Home is people and where you work well ”(Steinbeck). As the saying goes “home is where the heart is”, which is entirely true for Steinbeck and some of his characters. Several characters in East of Eden show Steinbeck’s idea that home is in people, not places. Amongst the religious Hamilton household Liza believes that “ A place is only a resting stage on the way to heaven”(293). She has no love of places but what she’s really curious about is her children and their lives. Samuel loves his land despite its many faults, but surprisingly Liza enjoys people more. Liza was mostly reserved in contrast to her rambunctious husband so it’s expected that she would value places over people, but she doesn’t. To her, a place …show more content…
Abra is then alone because “ Aron and Abra had fenced themselves in with themselves”(494). Aron no longer needed anyone else since he had Abra. Abra is the life preserver that keeps Aron in Salinas even though he dislikes everyone else. He is coping with the rejection of their community. Aron finds everything he needs in Abra so it doesn’t matter if he hates Salinas since he has found a home with her. Even though Aron has everything he needs Abra still doesn’t have a complete home with just her and Aron. Abra finds herself making emotional connections with the other Trasks after Aron is gone. Abra is able to work well with the Trasks and meshes with them easily, unlike when she was just with Aron. Only after Aron moves away physically does Abra become able to find a better home amongst Aron’s family. East of Eden demonstrates the idea that ‘home’ is within the people close to you, not in a tangible place. A house is just a piece of land, but a home is where a person feels secure and loved. Even though their situations are different Liza, Aron, and Abra hold deep connections to other people rather than