66 pages 2 hours read

John Steinbeck

East of Eden

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1952

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Part 4, Chapters 44-55

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 4, Chapter 44 Summary

Aron goes off to Stanford for college, leaving a confused Abra behind. His letters to her seem increasingly only about himself, so she tries to find community with the other members of the Trask family. She spends a lot of time with Lee and Adam; Cal still makes her uncomfortable because she can’t tell whether he likes her. Meanwhile, Cal has earned enough money to replace the fortune Adam lost in the lettuce fiasco. Abra tries to ask Cal about Aron, and she confesses to him that she’s not altogether good.

Part 4, Chapter 45 Summary

Cathy employs Joe Valery as her muscle. When she needs something done, Joe is the man to do it. Growing up abused, Joe learned early on not to trust anyone. Although Cathy almost enslaves him because he fears her, he doesn’t view her as a benefactor and waits for the time when he can one-up her. Cathy struggles with her arthritis. She finds a new medication that helps her, but the physical pain intensifies her fears about Ethel, who is out there somewhere with information that could take Cathy down. She tells Joe to find Ethel and report back about Ethel’s location. Joe learns that Ethel has died but tells Cathy that Ethel is alive and plans to return to Salinas.

Related Titles

By John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

Cannery Row

John Steinbeck

Cannery Row

John Steinbeck

Plot Summary

logo

In Dubious Battle

John Steinbeck

In Dubious Battle

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck

Plot Summary

logo

Sweet Thursday

John Steinbeck

Sweet Thursday

John Steinbeck

STUDY + TEACHING GUIDE

logo

The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights

John Steinbeck

The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

The Harvest Gypsies

John Steinbeck

The Harvest Gypsies: On the Road to the Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck

Plot Summary

logo

The Log From The Sea of Cortez

John Steinbeck

The Log From The Sea of Cortez

John Steinbeck

Plot Summary

logo

The Long Valley

John Steinbeck

The Long Valley

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

The Moon Is Down

John Steinbeck

The Moon Is Down

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

The Red Pony

John Steinbeck

The Red Pony

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

The Wayward Bus

John Steinbeck

The Wayward Bus

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

The Winter Of Our Discontent

John Steinbeck

The Winter Of Our Discontent

John Steinbeck

Plot Summary

logo

To a God Unknown

John Steinbeck

To a God Unknown

John Steinbeck

Plot Summary

logo

Tortilla Flat

John Steinbeck

Tortilla Flat

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

Travels With Charley

John Steinbeck

Travels With Charley

John Steinbeck