ABC Wednesday
'A' is for Apple
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| Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden and the Tree of knowledge |
I love apples not only
for their numerous health benefits but also for their resplendent hues, beautiful rotund looks, the feel of their
firm juicy exterior, the crunchiness of every bite, their versatility in the
culinary arena and their strong allusions in religious and mythical contexts.
This apart, apple’s prominent position in common idiomatic phraseology
needs stating. Its inherent abilities make it so special that it is associated
with elitism. In fact, no other fruit has been blessed with the enviable and intriguing
epithet of ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ Well, no other word could
substitute apple for the idiom ‘apple of one’s eyes’- a person dearly loved. You can upset some one’s ‘apple cart’ by spoiling
his plans through some unsound intrusion. Things in your room are in perfect
order only if they subscribe to ‘apple-pie order’. ‘Apple of discord’- something, which provokes
trouble- refers to a Greek myth of ‘golden apple of discord’, which even caused
a war.
The phrase ‘Adam’s apple’ means the ‘part that sticks out in
front of the throat and moves up and down when one speaks.’ According to an ancient belief, this refers
to a piece of the forbidden fruit, which was embedded in Adam’s throat.
Interestingly, every child gets to know about apple’s existence
as early as in kindergarten itself, when the English lesson starts with the repeat
chanting of A is for apple.
It is customary for Jewish communities to eat apple dipped in
honey to welcome the sweet New Year.
However, my choice of the word ‘Apple’ is due to its most
significant presence in the context of literature and legend. It is linked
inextricably with man’s emergence on this earth. In ‘Genesis’, the first book
of the Bible, apple is described as the fruit of temptation that lead to man’s
fall from heaven.
The apple plays a seminal
role in the story of Adam and Eve the first parents of all humankind, versified
in John Milton’s epic poem “The Paradise lost” Book ix. It was the fruit of the
apple tree, which caused an abrupt end to their idyllic living in the Garden of Eden.
God’s gift to them.
In fact, the dramatic
elucidation of the episode, where unsuspecting Eve is beguiled by the sinister
designs of Satan, in spite of Adam’s forewarning to Eve, is the game changer
for creating a many splendored world order for man. It sets some stereotypes about women as well.
It so happened that
Satan 'evil incarnate' aka Lucifer, a wily serpent, was cast from heaven by Gods for his
insubordination. He vowed revenge and planned to deceive God’s protégés Adam
and Eve by using his crafty ways. In his several disguises, he watches
their daily movements and strategies. Satan’s devilry was on the lookout for an
opportunity, when Adam and Eve would decide to go about their daily chores separately.
Then he would be able to entice innocent Eve in defying God’s orders.
He gets the chance
soon enough. He seductively approaches Eve and wins her confidence by using his
oily tongue to praise her beauty. Eve is so impressed by his clever talk
that she inquires how has he gained so much knowledge? He discloses
that there is a tree of knowledge of good and evil and if its fruit is eaten,
one becomes aware of new revelations. Eve insists on going their immediately,
forgetting all about God’s directives and Adam’s advice- and tastes the fruit
which is said to be the apple and later cajoles Adam to eat it too. To cut the
story short both become conscious of their nakedness and want to hide
themselves in shame. The rest as they say is history
It is philosophized that God willed it that way. The fall of
man was necessary. He wanted the man to be on his own, acquire the wisdom of the
world, face the daunting challenges, procreate and inhabit the earth.
Ultimately, 'Apple' becomes a metaphor for
justifying the ways of God to man.
Image courtesy: The Internet
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