| Synopsis | 第1-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-10页 |
| Introduction | 第10-14页 |
| Chapter One The Thematic Design of East of Eden | 第14-36页 |
| ·Steinbeck's New Definition of " Timshel" | 第15-23页 |
| ·The Statement of the Narrator "I" | 第23-29页 |
| ·The Descriptions of Natural Scenery | 第24-25页 |
| ·The Roles of the Narrator "I" | 第25-29页 |
| ·Making Contrasts | 第29-36页 |
| ·Contrast between Adam Trask and Abel | 第30-31页 |
| ·Adam Trask--Another "Cain" in Life | 第31-34页 |
| ·Contrast between Aron and Caleb | 第34-36页 |
| Chapter Two Ambiguity in Plot, Characterization and Thematic Development | 第36-49页 |
| ·Plots as Nonsense | 第36-39页 |
| ·Characters against the Theme | 第39-49页 |
| ·Contradictions between Cathy and the Theme | 第39-45页 |
| ·Lee and Samuel Hamilton | 第45-49页 |
| Chapter Three Inconsistent Tones of East of Eden | 第49-62页 |
| ·The Tendency of Determinism against the Theme | 第49-52页 |
| ·Evil, Descending from Cain | 第50-51页 |
| ·Evil, Determined by Blood | 第51-52页 |
| ·Steinbeck's Pessimistic Prophesy of the Trasks | 第52-56页 |
| ·From Optimism to Pessimism | 第56-62页 |
| Conclusion | 第62-66页 |
| Works Cited | 第66-69页 |
| Acknowledgements | 第69页 |
