East of Eden: Chapters 22-24
Timshel.
Today's episode is a big one! In our reading this week we're finally introduced to "timshel" – thou mayest. The HEE crew wrestles with the term's significance and the power of naming.
What do you think? Why is the idea of timshel so powerful for Sam Hamilton? And is the Cain and Abel story going to repeat itself in his boys??
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I think the idea of timshel is powerful because it is the idea of freedom, and Samuel can no longer regard God as unjust toward Cain because he chose his path and chose it knowing he was turning from God. I don't think the narrator (or Sam or the author) is elevating himself to a god because he seems to credit God for the freedom. I haven't read beyond these chapters yet, but the idea of timshel does seem like the heart of the story so far.