By whipping himself he protected himself against whipping by someone else.
In "East of Eden," John Steinbeck explores the theme of self-punishment through the character's act of whipping himself. This action symbolizes his internal struggle with guilt and the desire to maintain control over his own suffering. By inflicting pain on himself, he believes he can shield himself from the judgment or punishment that might come from external sources. This complex dynamic illustrates how individuals may engage in self-destructive behaviors as a...