"From Eve: The First Reflection"

The article, "From Eve: The First Reflection" by Julia M. Walker analyses the very important and sometimes overlooked role that Eve's image and self-awareness plays in the poem,"Paradise Lost". According to Walker, "She [Eve] submits to the arbitrary gender displacement, coming to see Adam as at once the generative image of and better than herself." (Walker, Julia. M, "From Eve: The First Reflection" pg 516) This is a common theme that Walker examines throughout the article. She often brings up the valid point that Eve is only able to see herself in terms of Adam. It is said that she is unable to function separately from her association with the earth and with her subservience to Adam. But what I found to be more interesting was the notion that Walker proposed which said that Eve, not knowing any other ways just excepts her role in society from God and Adam. Walker says, ". . . Adam seems to have no sense that it is from this feminine Earth from which he was formed. He draws his self-identity solely from his maker and not from matter, but expects Eve to privilege his absent rib above any other aspect of her being." (Walker, Julia. M. "From Eve: The First Reflection pg 518-19) I thought this was such an interesting point because here Walker seems to be saying that even though Adam was created from the Earth which has taken on a feminine connotation he disregards that fact and instead he gives homage to his masculine creator, God. The irony comes in when Adam expects Eve's constant gratification because she was created from Adam's rib, much like Adam was created from the Earth however instead of giving the credit to God, Adam expects it for himself. 

When I first read this I asked myself why is it then that Eve subjects herself to this submissive behavior. Walker believes it to be the product of first of all, Eve's overall lack of knowledge, seeing as how she seems to know mainly what it is she is told and foremost, Eve's personal belief that if she were to challenge her position in Eden then Adam would replace her with ""another Eve" (9.827)" (Walker, Julia. M "From Eve. . . " pg 519). Eve like said before only knows what she is told and is therefore at the mercy of Adam and God. 

This is why I found it to be interesting when Walker pointed out that Eve bears two names in the poem. She is called by a voice both Eve and Mother. Similarly to Andrea's infamous quote from her last paper that Eve was nothing but a "baby-maker"(Andrea Harrington, "Paradise Lost" Paper 2) Walker explorers the idea that Eve's main purpose was to yield. She says that Eve yields in many ways; one being to Adam and as Walker puts it, Eve will " ultimately yield, as does the earth, the fruit of her womb to "fill the World". 

This article was very interesting and addressed many issues regarding Eve's role in Eden. I found it to be insightful as Walker made the argument that Eve not only defines herself in terms of Adam but that this is because of her setting and therefore she knows no other option. I agree with the sentiments of the article. I feel as though there are many times in which it is exhibited that Eve is viewed as the lesser in the relationship she has with Adam. It does seem that Eve would do anything for Adam, as we see in book 10 when she offers to go to God and tell him that it was her fault that they ate from the tree and not to blame Adam. Yet I must ask myself haven't there been times that we see Adam reciprocating this devotion? If not, then why else does Adam eat the apple after he learns that Eve has?