East of Eden: Chapter 36 Summary & Analysis

In Salinas, Cal and Aron begin their 7th grade education at their new school Cal is respected by everyone—teachers and classmates can see he is smart—but he is not well liked. Aron on the other hand is loved by everyone. And Aron sets to work immediately courting his beloved Abra Bacon. She avoids him for a while, but then finally allows him to walk with her one day after school. They go to sit in the shade and secrecy under a willow tree, and make their plans to be married. bra suggests they play house under the willow tree to practice. Aron asks Abra if she will pretend to be his mother. She agrees, and holds his head against her and strokes his hair, calling him her “little baby.” Aron unexpectedly breaks down sobbing. Abra continues to quietly comfort him.

Abra tells Aron that she has heard rumors that his mother is still alive, and that she has just run away. She tells him it is a secret, and that he must not tell anyone that she knows this information. Aron agrees, and she kisses him and tells him she loves him, then runs home.

Aron is disturbed: either his mother is dead, or his father and Lee or liars, which makes them dead in a different kind of way. He cannot stomach the thought of that, and concludes that Abra simply heard some incorrect information. He pushes the thoughts from his mind. That night, as Adam reads in his chair, Aron puts his hand on his father’s shoulder gently, and sweetly tells him goodnight before he goes to bed.