“Eve’s Diary” by Mark Twain Essay

eves Diary is a sarcastic account of the days in the Garden of Eden. bothsome recounts the well-known history of Genesis through a series of journal entries written by transport and Eve these personal accounts make for an entertaining and thought-provoking read. boths personifications of gender stereotypes are easily identified but involve the reader into a further exploration of pairs deeper purpose. distichs writing style explicates the paradoxical relationship between hands and wowork force. Furthermore, fling and Eves conflicting perspectives within the journal entries nominate an illustration of their magnetic reliance on iodin another, despite their diametric differences.The story begins with Eve on the day after her asylum twain creates a t adept of despair as Eve ponders her situation and existence. That is what I AM-an experiment just an experiment, and nothing more ( match 10). As Eve deducts that there must be a counterpart to her existence, her dispositi on abruptly changes from harassment to optimism. Through this character development, couple portrays companionship as Eves salvation and furthermore, mocks the modern idea of the contingency of a womans survival on that of a mans.Eves information changes as abruptly as her disposition. Once her mind is at ease, she becomes conscious and appreciative of her surroundings. This majestic revolutionary world is indeed a almost noble and beautiful work. And certainly marvelously near to being perfect, and the shortness of the time (Twain 14). Twain uses Eves passionate and intent mentality as a personification of the model of femininity consort to nineteenth century stereotypes.The diction and timing of raptuss incoming exaggerates Eves naivety and sets a precedent for Twains exploration of their paradoxical relationship.Eves entry reads, All the calendar week I tagged around after him and tried to get acquainted. I had to do the talking, because he was shy, but I didnt mind i t. He seemed pleased to have me around, and I used the sociable we a genuine deal, because it seemed to flatter him to be included (Twain 35). Though it is told from Eves perspective, Twain wants the reader to negate Eves idealization when reading of her interactions with Adam. When one does so, Adams annoyance with Eve is apparent.In addition, Twain makes a considerable effort to portray Adam as haughty, cynical, and drastically unconnected in comparison to Eve Twain uses Adam as a personification of stereotypical conception of masculinity. During the last day or two I have taken all the work of naming things take out his hands, and this has been a great relief to him, for he has no gift in that line, and is evidently very grateful (Twain 178). If interpreted in the manner Twain intended, it is clear that Adam has no concern with naming the creatures and is equally inattentive towards Eve.Twain develops these satirical personifications even further to serve two slimly less sup erficial purposes. Twain uses these conceptions to delve into the profound relationship between men and women but also to denounce them through his diction. Twains defiance begins with his decision to give Eve, a woman, the predominant voice in the narrative. He shows further disregard for popular opinion when he tells of the creation of fire. I had created something that didnt exist before I had added a new thing to the worlds uncountable propertiesI realized this, and was proud of my achievement, and was loss to run and find him and tell him about it, thinking to raise myself in his esteem-but I reflected, and did not do it. No-he would not care for it (Twain 67). Twains decision to credit such a pivotal aspect of humans survival to a woman exhibits either an immense reverence for women or a severe distain for unoriginal thought. Regardless, Twains upheaval of the hierarchy of traditional Western gender roles transcends time and leaves the reader to contemplate the hardship of gender roles.Ursula LeGuin, a published and renowned author of short stories herself, discusses the prevalence of personification of stereotypical gender roleswithin _Adam and Eves Diary_. LeGuin argues that Twains personifications of gender stereotypes are the most important aspect of every literally analysis of works by Mark Twain (LeGuin 32). Deviating about from the focus of LeGuins analysis, the most important purpose of Eves Diary to be the paradoxical relationship between men and women. As the journal progresses, so does the connection between Adam and Eve. Although their differences remain vast, Adam and Eve demonstrate a dynamic reliance on one another. They compliment one another in a sense of strife their stereotypical personas seem to become less obtrusive as they make together.Through Eve, Adam is humbled and learns to be appreciative and observant of his surroundings. Adam has a similar effect on Eve her interest in aesthetics diminishes and while she remains opti mistic, she is not so dangerously nave. The story digresses to forty years later, with Adam at Eves grave. Adams eulogy for his lifeless wife is ingeniously engineered to resonate with nearly every reader. He says, Wheresoever she was, THERE was Eden (Twain 129). Adam, and and so the male gender collectively, possessed a magnetic dependence on Eve that was as involuntary as the polar differences between the two. Twain accomplished a feat that the laws of nature could not through Adam and Eves Diary, Twain provides an unprecedented look into why men and women attract in circumstances that should naturally repel them from one another. industrial plant CitedLeGuin, Ursula K. Introduction. The Diaries of Adam and Eve. By Mark Twain. NewYork Oxford UP, 1996. XXXI-XLI.Twain, Mark. _Adam and Eves Diary_ Eves Diary, Complete. Project Gutenburg. 14June 2004. PDF iBook.