The End is a biblical reference

[L Lawliet]

Hi! This is my first post on here so I apologize in advance for any inaccuracies. I also want to state that I am in no way religious and am not trying to offend anyone if that may somehow end up being the case. Enjoy!



I have noticed several similarities between the end of The End (book 13) and the bible story of Adam and Eve. The Baudelaire's are poisoned by the Medusoid Mycelium along with Kit and then the Incredibly Deadly Viper brings them apples from the large tree in the arboretum to save them. This reminds me of the snake (Devil) giving Adam and Eve the apples or whatever. The tree in the arboretum is like the tree of knowlage that I do believe the apples came from, sincethe arboretum tree is full of books with the hall that was going to lead to Anwhistle Aquatics. The Island full of all of the resources that it has is like what I think the Garden of Eden was like. 



Discuss:






 

[A comet crashing into Earth]

Hi L, and welcome to 667!

This is generally considered true, and is practically confirmed in-story when Sunny says "Gentreefive", meaning "Genesis 3:5", supposedly the verse with the snake, tree and apple (I believe; I have neither a bible nor a copy of The End with me right now, so that might be slightly inaccurate). It also makes the whole thing work in an allegorical sense, where the island society is the Garden of Eden, and by eating the apples, the Baudelaires are not thrown out, but rather allowed to stay. It's sort of a twist on the original tale, and I read it as a criticism of the Bible, arguing that knowledge is worth having, even if it means you will have to view your Paradise in another light.

[gliquey]

Hi L Lawliet. I am a huge fan of Death Note and L is my favourite character (not that I've ever met anybody whose favourite DN character isn't L).

Yes, The End does contain plenty of Biblical imagery; Comet has explained it well. I think I'm right in saying that the story of Adam and Eve (along with the rest of Genesis) is part of the canon of Judaism - you might have noticed the recurring theme of Judaism throughout the series. It's not particularly obvious, just a few references to rabbis and synagogues and bar mitzvahs here and there, but most of the references to religion in the series are to Judaism. (The only one I can think of that isn't is in The Reptile Room where Mr. Poe, when shocked by the Incredibly Deadly Viper biting Sunny, shouts something like "Good God! Blessed Allah!" etc., in a long list culminating in "Nathaniel Hawthorne!")

Handler is Jewish (at least culturally) and has said that the Baudelaires are too. He talks about it a bit in this interview from 2007.

Genesis 3:5, for the record, is this (NIV): "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." The serpent says these words to Eve, and is of course talking about the apple in the Garden of Eden.

[L Lawliet]

Dec 28, 2015 5:23:47 GMT -5 A comet crashing into Earth said:

when Sunny says "Gentreefive", meaning "Genesis 3:5", supposedly the verse with the snake, tree and apple 

 I was unaware of this little hidden anagram (I just love all of these little hidden things throughout the series) and I thank you for pointing it out . Also it had completely slipped my mind that handler was Jewish and that the story of A. & E. was also part of the Jewish religion.

 

Thanks to much for the feed back, it is very much appreciated!

[Eponine]

Welcome to 667, L! I have to admit I'm pretty new myself, haha.

[Charlie]

Dec 28, 2015 10:46:15 GMT -5 gliquey said:

Hi L Lawliet. I am a huge fan of Death Note and L is my favourite character (not that I've ever met anybody whose favourite DN character isn't L).

MISA MISA REPRESENT