Established Character: Adam Trask from
East of Eden
19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My two boys, Cal and Aron.
20. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Living in Salinas Valley with my house keeper, Lee. Sharing talks about life and virtue. Having my sons, grown and sure of themselves, visit on occasion.
21. What is your current state of mind?
Troubled. One son has always had to hurt the other since they were young. It was out of jealousy and love: there is something within Aron that is some what pure and naive and draws emotion from people. Cal is of a different vine: he evokes disdain from strangers and friends. In a fit brought on by my disapproval of his life, he has driven Aron to enlist, resulting in his death. I am grieved at the loss of my son and at the trouble brewing in the other. But I believe he can change, though am troubled as to whether he ever will.
22. What is your favorite occupation?
A business manager. I have never been good or clever with my hands. And while I am not the greatest businessman, the sport of decision making fascinates me.
23. What is your most treasured possession?
My housekeeper, Lee. No mere object holds great importance to me. But Lee has been with me, with heart and wisdom, when I needed him and when I didn't. He is a man beyond his stature: humble and open minded, gentle yet necessarily stern. He is the greatest friend a man such as me could have.
24. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
You could say I loved Kate, the mother of my boys, when I was young and foolish. But I think that is wrong. I didn't love her, I loved what I made her to be. I loved the kind, benevolent Kate I saw, not the empty and callous Kate that stood before me. I loved a delusion, not a woman.
25. What is your favorite journey?
The journeys I took in my youth that had no set beginning or end. The journey was solely for the journey's sake. The trouble and long nights were welcome. And there was a fair share of trouble.
26. What is your most marked characteristic?
My difficulty in letting go.
27. When and where were you the happiest?
A younger me would say when I was with Kate and we were expecting. In my mind, I had seen all the glories our family would have, and could see them in her eyes and in her belly. But now, I would say it would be here, in my home, learning that my son Cal and Abra, a young girl who loved both of my boys since they were toddlers, are in love. I am filled with regret that Aron is not here, but the joy and hope I feel for Cal is insurmountable.
28. What is it that you most dislike?
I dislike those who only care for themselves. For that is not caring, and only hurts those with around them. But if they wish to slowly choke themselves by pulling everything into them, that is their choice no matter how foolish it is.
29. What is your greatest fear?
Being a failure as a father and seeing my sons refuse to be who they are.
30. What is your greatest extravagance?
I like to keep my furniture nice and ornate, though Lee is more responsible for it then I.
31. Which living person do you most despise?
I have realized I no longer despise any one. I loved and lied to myself about Kate about all that she has done to me, but I do not hate her. I see her for what she is, a monster who cannot understand virtue, and only pity fills me.
32. What is your greatest regret?
I regret not being for or even acknowledging my sons for several months after they were born. I was young and heartbroken over a woman I never loved, and it set an irreparable gap between me and my boys.
33. Which talent would you most like to have?
I would love to have a better way with words. Having been around Lee for so long, I am used to hearing the most artful and elegant thoughts and arguments, yet my own contributions are too terse.
34. Where would you like to live?
I would like no better than to live where I am: Salinas. It was not my childhood, but it has been my greatest triumphs and would like to live out the rest of my days right where I stand.
35. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Self pity. To feel sorry for yourself and tear down everything around you; family, health, friends. And for what? Nothing. For the satisfaction of knowing you, like every person to ever be born and ever to die, have had troubles.
36. What is the quality you most like in a man?
Truth and an open mind. I would argue that the two cannot be had with out the other.
37. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
I have reached an age that I hold no difference to the mind of men and the mind of women.
38. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My fear and subsequently, self doubt. It hinders me in all things, from being a father or husband to being a man and friend.
39. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
The inability to take responsibility for one's actions. If some one cannot accept their own virtues and faults, they are barely a person.
40. What do you most value in your friends?
Their trust and loyalty. To be able to confide my fears and wishes with people who understand and can empathize with some one as troubled as themselves.
41. Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
I do not read enough fiction to have one.
42. Whose are your heroes in real life?
Samuel Hamilton. He was more than a friend. He was the one that helped bring me to realize that I had two sons and had been abandoning them to wade in my own pity. He was the humble and wise father I never had. He was the kind soul that loved without fear of not being loved back. He was a better man than I'll ever be, but he'd never agree to that.
43. Which living person do you most admire?
Lee. He is wise beyond his years and exemplifies humanities virtues of open mindedness, humility and love. Sometimes I feel that he is more of a god send than a man.
44. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Temperance. I, not any one I affiliate with, has had any problems with indulgence. Moderation is an instinct and should be looked upon as one.
45. On what occasions do you lie?
I lie when I am not myself, whether intimidated through fear or self doubt.
46. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Yes." I am more of a listener than a talker and I enjoy the company of educated people. I find myself agreeing with them, often times even in their uncertainty, more often than not.
47. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I could have been more fair to my boys. I knew that Aron was my favorite since they were young, but it was always an unjust opinion. Other than simply being, he did nothing to favor my empathy or love. While cal was the opposite. I saw him as the same ilk as my brother, and though I don't like to admit it, I tried him as such.
My character will be added later.
