The chapter titled "Joshua" in Winterson's novel is interesting in its comparison to the Garden of Eden. The passage starts by mentioning the "banks of the Euphrates" and the secret garden that is there. In the Biblical book of Genesis, the Garden of Eden is said to have the Euphrates flow through it. Also similar is the mention of a fruit tree at its center. Although, in Winterson's novel it is an orange tree, and Biblically, the type of fruit is not mentioned but commonly thought to be the apple. The author mentions plants that grow in a circular fashion. This reminds me of a coil. Not unlike a coiled serpent in Genesis.
I especially find one particular sentence intriguing: "This fruit had tripped up athletes while others have healed their wounds". If Winterson is comparing the fruit to religion or theology, perhaps the analogy is being made to the way some people find comfort and solace in religion, while others find it to be a lesson in frustration, always grappling, always questioning.
Winterson also speaks of the split fruit pouring out blood. This compares to the death of Jesus and his necessary blood shed found in the Gospels. Also, the fruit being a "full bowl for travellers and pilgrims" reminds me of someone on a journey, perhaps eluding to a spiritual journey.
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I think the connections that you have made are really great. When I read Joshua I was not able to see all of the connections that you have mentioned. However, I also found it interesting that the author seemed to compare the fruit to religion. To some people it is complex, but to others it is comforting.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very rich analysis. I hadn't thought of the coil, in relation to the serpent. The spilling or "pouring out" of blood too...so many significant biblical connections. Great reading.
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