They Wondered Why the Fruit Had Been Forbidden
They Wondered Why the Fruit Had Been Forbidden - meaning Summary
Loss of Eden Knowledge
The poem depicts an Eden-like exile where eating forbidden fruit grants awareness but not practical wisdom. After leaving, memory and sympathy with nature fade; companionship and simple certainties dissolve into quarrel and bewilderment. Freedom proves disorienting as maturity recedes from the child’s perspective and risks multiply. The closing image makes the return impossible: celestial guardians bar the way back against the poet and the legislator, stressing an irreversible separation from innocence.
Read Complete AnalysesThey wondered why the fruit had been forbidden: It taught them nothing new. They hid their pride, But did not listen much when they were chidden: They knew exactly what to do outside. They left. Immediately the memory faded Of all they known: they could not understand The dogs now who before had always aided; The stream was dumb with whom they'd always planned. They wept and quarrelled: freedom was so wild. In front maturity as he ascended Retired like a horizon from the child, The dangers and the punishments grew greater, And the way back by angels was defended Against the poet and the legislator.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.