Cathy Ames
Cathy Ames isn't doomed by nature to be who she is, as she does have a choice, and chooses to be the devious, manipulative being that she is. Cathy does so in the name of power and money, and thus does all she can to associate herself with men with the kind of power and money she seeks; men like Mr. Edwards, the whore-master and Adam Trask. She goes so far as neglecting the love of her parents and degrading herself to the standards of a prostitute, which is how she comes into contact with Mr. Edwards (E.O.E 92). As the story goes on, Cathy's character changes, although she doesn't drift too far from her lying, manipulative ways. In chapter eight where she is described as a monster, she acts in a way a little normal girl of her age isn't likely to act. She is able to get two boys into trouble for something she consented to, and then lies and acts in a traumatized manner to get people of her case (E.O.E 76-77). Additionally she murders her own parents in a fire she set with the pathetic excuse that she was protecting them (E.O.E 86-87); again not something one sees everyday. In chapter twelve, she is mature, and not in the mental state of the word, but the physical as she uses what she has to get all that she wants, some of which come at an expense of near death to her. Steinbeck asks the reader to asses Cathy to see the ways in which she goes about to achieve what she wants, and the ways in which she is able to maneuver her way out of every problem she faces; almost as if she knows certain things will happen, therefore plans ahead for them.
Consider that her mental state is driven by her desires rather than her upbringing. She is a young woman trying to break free of the religious beliefs that drive parental guidance. I agree with the image of her being a liar and manipulator in order to get what she wants and for others to sympathize with her circumstances. Where does her planning ahead get her?
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