East of Eden Part 1

 Six methods of characterization  You should six headings for taking notes today  Label your notes “Methods of Characterization”  When you are ready raise your hand

 1. Physical appearance

 2. Character’s actions

 3. Character’s own words

4. What others say about the character

 5. Character’s innermost thoughts and dreams

 6. What the author tells us about personal history or background (exposition)

1. Look over your notes – list the ways that in “real life” situations we learn about people 2. Which methods are impossible to know about “real life” people? 3. How is knowing this helpful for understanding characterization in literature?

The Hamiltons from Ireland

 The book is primarily about two families  One from the East  One from the West

 In your notes or on lined paper make t-graph  On the left side write EAST and on the right side write WEST  You will have many more characters listed on the West sided

Characters East - Trasks West - Hamiltons

 Cyrus Trask  Mrs. Trask  Adam Trask  Alice Trask  Charles Trask Adam is older than Charles Adam and Charles are half brothers.

 Liza Hamilton  Samuel Hamilton

1. Lizzie 2. George 3. Tom 4. Dessie 5. Euna (Una) 6. Olive (author’s mother) 7. Mollie 8. Will 9. Joseph

 Olive  Esther  Elizabeth  John  Mary  Ernest Steinbeck

Watch the following to see if any evolve to a symbol

What do different smiles and different characters indicate?

 Good and evil

 Look for these things as you continue to read the novel.