Lit for Children and Adolescents, fruit, goblins, and serpents

  "At the entrance of a Bayaka village, in the valley of the Congo, Mr. Torday saw a roughly constructed gallows, on which hung a dead dog. He learned that as a notorious thiefwho had been in the habit of making predatory raids among the fowls, the animal had been strung up to serve as a public example" (Frazer Chapter VI page 419).

Tempting Fruit

  We were discussing the poem "Goblin Market" today in another class and there were several people who brought up the story of the forbidden fruit from the Bible. It is a great poem about goblins, young maidens, fruit, and desire. What's not to like? If you would like to read it, the text is online at:
 http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/crossetti/bl-crossetti-goblin.htm . In addition, if you really like the story you may also want to read the story Goblin Fruit from  Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor.
 
  Talking about the three stories together gave me a new perspective about the Bible story. There are, of course, very few details in the Bible story. The poem and short story tell about the great want and desire to have what is dangerous or forbidden. The Bible story makes more sense to me now. The idea of Eve going against God's wishes seemed a little odd. I mean, what reason would she have to purposely disobey Him? He was allowing her to live in paradise; her every need was cared for. As we were discussing the Goblin stories I got it. Looking back at Genesis 3 the serpent made her want the fruit. Okay, I knew that, but it did not click until I read the other stories. In this new context I can understand that the serpent evoked a powerful desire in Eve; he made her WANT the fruit. It's so obvious now.