2008 Woodie Awards
Where Lies East of Eden?
Fahima Israt
Issue date: 2/16/05 Section: Features
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The evening started out by Brother Michael Sevastakis, F.S.C., Communication professor from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, giving a fifteen minute overview. He spoke about the lives of the actors and actresses of the movie, focusing especially James Dean, and background information about the time the movie was made. Brother Michael explained how "East of Eden" was Dean's first movie. He also focused on Dean's bisexuality and personality. Brother Michael informed the viewers that as Dean was never loved by his real father, his character dealt with the same dilemma in this film. Furthermore, because Kazan experienced just the same, he tried to justify his directing talents to his father through this movie. The movie, which was filmed in 1955, is set in 1917.
"East of Eden" covered a few topics within its storyline. It was mainly about twin sons, Cal (Dean) and Aron (Davalos) and their relationship with their father, Adam (Massey). It also deals with the competition between siblings, racism, family bond, and women. After the birth of their two sons, Adam's wife leaves the family. As boys are told that their mother died when they were little. Cal is deemed by everyone to be the trouble maker of the family, and Aron, is hailed as the perfect son. Cal learns that his father has been lying to him about their mother from a stranger who was "passing by" their town of Salines. Cal goes to the town of Monterey to find his mother, as the stranger told him that's where she is a madam of a brothel. Tormented by Adam's obvious notions of loving Aron more and Aron's perfect life with his sweetheart Abra, Cal is finally pushed over the top by learning about his mother. Cal asks his father about his mother because of his desire of acceptance from a parent. After a long journey of self evaluation and with the help of Abra, Cal finds comfort in knowing that he was able to forgive his father.
At the conclusion of the movie, the discussion portion of the night commenced. In attendance were a few students, along with Brother Robert Berger, Elaine T. White, Kevin McCloskey, and Jennifer McArdle. The diverse group of attendees discussed whether it is choices or predestination that determines our lives. One student commented that we were "the product of our environment."
Kevin McCloskey commented on the relevance of the movie to modern day saying, "It was amazing that after all these years, it's still relevant," to which Jenn McArdle agreed.
"Someone has to be the scapegoat," said John Wilcox, referring to Cal's character being treated as the bad apple of the bunch. "It's in the history of religion."
Student Activities director, Elaine T. White, brought up the topic of parents favoring one child over another. "Parents think they are fair, but they still have a favorite child."
Another student added to White's comment by pointing out that Adam used the same expectations for both sons, even though they were as different as night and day. McArdle added, "Parents see that one child. They hold up that one child so high, they miss everything and everyone else." She used the typical conflict within families with more then one child blaming the youngest or the oldest child for any type of mischievous behavior.
Wilcox also brought up the issue of male and female displaying their emotions openly. "Men are less in touch with their feelings then women," he said. Wilcox continued, "That's why men die before women. Women expressed their feelings, therefore ridding themselves of stress. Men tend to keep it all in."
White said that what she took from the movie was, "You need to forgive someone for yourself, not for them."
The final portion of the night was the raffle drawing for door prizes. Due to the minimal turn out, almost everyone went home with a prize. McArdle pulled out the winning raffles out of a plastic cup as Wilcox handed the prizes to the excited Jaspers. Three students won life size cut outs of James Dean. Other students won movie posters, James Dean t-shirt, and $20 Blockbuster gift certificate.
"I thought it was a success," said Wilcox when asked about the outcome of the program. "I thought there would be more people," he continued. "It turned out pretty good for a first time program. It was a good movie and good times." He added with a laugh, "Almost everybody went away happy with a prize."