The Garden of Eden

Ever read the Bible ?  Some of it?  How about watching a Hollywood version of a biblical story?  Ever go to church and pay attention to the prayers, stories, and sermons?  Knowledge of the Bible is vital to the interpretation and understanding of literary works (at least those from Western civilization).  Can I get some feedback from previous IB'ers on the importance of biblical knowledge for the IB program?  What about other cultures/religions?


The Lord of the Flies begins with children surviving a plane crash on a desserted island.  The island is tropical, with a thick and lush jungle presenting  plenty of "fruit" for these characters to pluck.  There are importsant connections to be made between these two texts, and our author, Sir Golding, definitely desires that we recognize them.  The story of the Garden of Eden can be found not only in the Bible, but online as well.

Here are the actual words, if my quick study proves accurate:
http://www.dltk-bible.com/genesis/chapter2-kjv.htm

One can always check out wikipedia, but it doesn't satisfy me:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Eden

In our book, the children arrive on the island in the same state of innocence as Adam and Eve in the Bible.  (It should be noted, however, that LOTF does not include any female characters.  Interesting.  Any thoughts from you, my dear readers?)   This state of innocence, at least child-like innocence, is first emphasized when Ralph exclaims: "No grownups!" (p. 8).  While Piggy continually attempts to introduce authority into the situation by constantly referring to his auntie, the lure of the state of nature and innocence hooks the rest of the young boys. 

The word "fruit" is repeated throughout the first chapter.  The repetition of this word keeps nudging me towards the concept of the Garden of Eden.  Within the Garden of Eden grew the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  G-d forbade Adam and Eve from eating the fruit from this famous and dangerous tree.  Yet, they did, committing the first act of evil, also known as disobedience to G-d, by a human being.  Because of this transgression, Eve and Adam were exiled from the Garden of Eden.  Can we see something similar with the LOTF?  I don't know.  What do you think?

Anyway, here are the three mentions of the word "fruit" in the first chapter.  Please alert me if any were missed.  Thanks.

On page 10, Piggy's excuse for not keeping up with Ralph: "I'm sorry I been such a time.  Them fruit - "

On page 17, a description of one of the boys who arrive after the first sounding of the conch by Ralph: "his face covered with a sticky mess of fruit."

On page 18, three small children appear from the jungle, "where they had been gorging fruit."

Next we shall examine possible themes for LOTF.  Any suggestions?  (Anything from Animal Farm?)  Put them into the comment section.