Beginnings: East of Eden

Freedom
 Many people seem to find their freedom and peace of mind once they are taken away from that which fueled them to act in a  manner that was not comprehensible. For some it's a prison cell, others it's seeing the light of a new day, and still for some it takes the voice of reason to bring them to their senses. Adam's freedom came from the voice of reason of Samuel,and his decision to be liberated from the prison cell he built with and for Cathy. With Samuel's voice of reason, Adam is able to come out of his state of depression. This voice of reason is seen in the form of Samuel's lecture in which Samuel tells Adam that if he lives his life as though he were a happy man, happiness will surely follow along (E.O.E. 215). When Adam does nothing much with what Sam tells him, whether he knew of the consequences or not he tells Adam of Cathy's brothel. It is then that Adam is awoken from his deep slumber and sets about putting his life right. He comes to the realization that shutting himself out from the world isn't what is going to solve his problems, thus comes out in the open which sheds some light in the dark and gloomy land that Cathy has left him in. He purchases Dessie's house at the suggestion of Liza Hamilton, thus he continues on his journey of liberating himself. In moving away from the home he was building for Cathy, he lets go of the chains that bound him to her. This also helps erase memories of the painful moments that took place, like Cathy shooting him (E.O.E.200). Thus it is seen that just like prison cells or light of new days, open spaces, or acquiring new land is symbolic of Adam's freedom as it is  what helps him move on with the life he thought was forever gone when Cathy left him. Not only does this new home of his help him forget Cathy, but it also gives him the freedom to be closer with his sons, whom he ignored for a whole year after they were born. Adam goes through a phase in his life that not only changes his whole attitude on life, but it also sets him from any impure bondage.