big question and East of Eden

East of Eden portrays power mainly through the character Cathy. She seeks and attains power by manipulating the mind, body, and soul of her victims. Through her domination of others Cathy is empowered and becomes successful despite her negatively connotated profession as a harlet. Her manipulation of others allows her to rise to the top of the economic spectrum, and ultimately to the powerful position she holds over others. Although Cathy attains everything she wants -- proof of the ills of society and of humanity, in the end she commits suicide. Through Cathy's suicide Steinbeck is commenting that although power may be attractive because it allows the individual freedom from others and their socially imposed comments, power ultimately results in the death of an individual's humanity and all that composes it -- compassion and genuine goodness.