6 tuesday sessions from july 8th - august 12th, 2025 7pm-9pm
Published in 1952, East of Eden was considered by Steinbeck himself to be his magnum opus. Set primarily in California's Salinas Valley, the novel traces the intertwined destinies of two families—the Trasks and the Hamiltons—across multiple generations. Drawing deeply from the biblical story of Cain and Abel, Steinbeck explores timeless themes of good and evil, love and rejection, and the human capacity for both destruction and redemption.
Steinbeck spent years crafting this ambitious work, incorporating elements of his own family history alongside a powerful moral framework. The novel's exploration of free will, embodied in the Hebrew concept "timshel" ("thou mayest"), offers readers a profound meditation on human choice and responsibility.
We'll examine topics such as the inheritance of virtue and vice, the tension between determinism and free will, the power of storytelling as meaning-making, and how personal narratives shape our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.
Reading Schedule
We will be reading East of Eden in the Penguin Classics edition, covering approximately 90 pages per session.
Session 1: July 8th
Session 2: July 15th
Session 3: July 22nd
Session 4: July 29th
Session 5: August 5th
Session 6: August 12th
Pricing
We offer sliding scale pricing between $25-$65 per session to make this course accessible while sustaining our programming. You can choose any amount within this range that aligns with your circumstances.
You'll receive a payment link in your registration confirmation email, and full payment for the series is required to secure your spot before the course begins.
The total cost for this 6-session series ranges from $150 to $390. Suggested contribution tiers are:
Essential Tier: $150 total
Community Tier: $270 total
Patron Tier: $390 total
You can learn more about our pricing structure and approach here.
Application
Please note that this course has limited capacity to ensure an intimate and engaging discussion environment. Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email regarding your registration status within 2-3 business days.