Suzaku Williams
English 205 TR 12:30
September 27, 2010
In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the earth. If you’re an ancient Iraqi fore-parent, it may have been multiple divinities. Anyhow, somewhere along the line, we pop out. Then, we live happily ever after with variant mileage, serving the deity or deities of choice, right? Apparently, this isn’t so. There are alternate modes to civilization, both of which I have discovered to be decidedly feminine.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu is tamed by four things which are associated with civilization: sex, food, alcohol and clothing. The Bible has God, or Adonai, giving Adam and Eve clothing before kicking them out of the house for eating the wrong thing. Clothes are associated with fashion which is generally seen as a feminine like. The kitchen, food and sup related stuff is also decidedly feminine. Hasn’t your mom ever told you to eat your dinner like a civilized person, or made supper less bed a punishment? Well, now you know why! Eating food in a civilized manner has been a core part of civilization since, well, Adam and Eve!
There is one last point I’d like to make. In both cases, civilization is dependant on immorality, at least, immorality from the Judeo-Christian standpoint. Enkidu has sex with Shamhat, whose daylights he winds up cursing out. Adam and Eve disobey Adonai, their parent figure, and eat the poisonous fruit that gives them carnal knowledge. Unfortunately, immorality, and the beginning thereof, is associated with womanhood as well as civilization. Doubtlessly, this is due to Eve’s role in the Bible. Thankfully, this attitude of blaming women has gone out with increased civilization. We are also notably responsible for the existence of the male aspect of humanity as well as civilization. I hope this substantiates the female link to civilization in both stories.
No comments:
Post a Comment