Obvious conclusion: vegans are evil cunts and should be ostracized.
Kidding aside:
I find Michael's discussion of envy meaningful and useful, but find the 'duty to God' as a central theme of the narrative unsatisfying and simplistic considering the fate of Cain. God kicks Cain off his land, but essentially pardons him by marking him so that nobody will kill him in return for his offense. Cain goes on to build the first city and his progeny give humanity music and metal working (Biblical origin of art and technology?). The mysterious ways defense must be invoked to make any sense of why God did not prevent Abel's murder and annihilate Cain if we are to believe that reserving the best for God is of any real importance or consequence in this story.
Speaking of city building reminded me of Romulus and Remus. Using brothers as an ancient literary motif was quite popular: Castor and Pollux, the Ashvins, Jacob and Esau, Anubis and Bata. Popular interpretations suggest that the brother motif is used to convey our internal struggles in reconciling seemingly contradictory qualities in our character and desires.
I have always had great sympathy for Cain and the inherent injustice of preference based on whim absent any established and agreed standard. Apparently, when it comes to gift giving, God isn't fond of the Golden Rule or the idea of 'It's the thought that counts'. I also think the story's juxtaposition of industry and leisure relative to evaluation demands some consideration for Cain's reaction (no, I'm not condoning murder as a means of addressing a perceived grievance).
There's plenty more in this tale to be mined.
Kidding aside:
I find Michael's discussion of envy meaningful and useful, but find the 'duty to God' as a central theme of the narrative unsatisfying and simplistic considering the fate of Cain. God kicks Cain off his land, but essentially pardons him by marking him so that nobody will kill him in return for his offense. Cain goes on to build the first city and his progeny give humanity music and metal working (Biblical origin of art and technology?). The mysterious ways defense must be invoked to make any sense of why God did not prevent Abel's murder and annihilate Cain if we are to believe that reserving the best for God is of any real importance or consequence in this story.
Speaking of city building reminded me of Romulus and Remus. Using brothers as an ancient literary motif was quite popular: Castor and Pollux, the Ashvins, Jacob and Esau, Anubis and Bata. Popular interpretations suggest that the brother motif is used to convey our internal struggles in reconciling seemingly contradictory qualities in our character and desires.
I have always had great sympathy for Cain and the inherent injustice of preference based on whim absent any established and agreed standard. Apparently, when it comes to gift giving, God isn't fond of the Golden Rule or the idea of 'It's the thought that counts'. I also think the story's juxtaposition of industry and leisure relative to evaluation demands some consideration for Cain's reaction (no, I'm not condoning murder as a means of addressing a perceived grievance).
There's plenty more in this tale to be mined.
