This is the first instance in which Eve’s self absorption is visible As Eve wakes after being created by God from the rib of Adam she went to look at her reflection in a lake. God created her as one who looks inwardly. When she asks that they work apart, Eve is seeking an emotional separation from Adam.Įve’s inclination to separate from Adam comes from her selfish nature. This emotion separation can be equated to a divorce because Adam and Eve are no longer acting as “one flesh.” Their emotions are separated. She wants to take a break from the bonding. Therefore Eve’s request is not simply to be alone in the garden but to break this emotional bond with Adam. God made them to love and delight in one another. They are able to enkindle the love between them through emotional bonding by looking and smiling. They have the freedom to relax and enjoy one another’s presence. The work given to Adam and Eve by God is not strict. He made us, and delight to reason joined. To brute denied, and are of love the food, Of looks and smiles, for smiles from reason flow, Refreshment, whether food, or talk between,įood of the mind, or this sweet intercourse Yet not so strictly hath our Lord imposed She desires instead a longer emotional separation. Eve is not seeking this short physical separation that Adam is talking about. Adam makes it clear that a short time apart can even be good.

Adam even says “For solitude sometimes is best society / And short retirement urges sweet return” (Paradise Lost 9.249-250).

The problem is not that Adam and Eve can never be physically separated from each other. Eve desires to split up their work for the day rather than work together, she wants to work alone. The separation scene begins with a discussion between Eve and Adam.

Paradise lost book 9