I wonder what the garden of Eden looked like. Stories from Sunday-school called it a paradise with lots of trees and lush flowers and soothing streams. The first chapter in 'East of Eden' reminds me of Sunday-school Eden. The streams coming down the mountain, the fields of blue lupin and poppy flowers, and groves of stately oak trees all exude a quiet peace. If you think about it, it makes sense for the real Garden of Eden to be in a valley like the Salinas Valley. Valleys are naturally very protected by enclosing mountain ranges and are usually very fertile. The connection was immediately there for me through the author's description.
One more comparison I want to make to Eden: in the Bible, man fell from God's favor and was kicked out. I wonder if something happens in Salinas that gets someone kicked out?
