Encountering Eve's Afterlives A New Reception Critical Approach to Genesis 2-4

Encountering Eve's Afterlives: A New Reception Critical Approach to Genesis 2-4 aims to destabilize the persistently pessimistic framing of Eve as a highly negative symbol of femininity within Western culture by engaging with marginal, and even heretical, interpretations that focus on more positive aspects of her character. In doing so, this book questions the myth that orthodox, popular readings represent the 'true' meaning of the first woman's story, and explores the possibility that previously ignored or muted rewritings of Eve are in fact equally 'valid' interpretations of the biblical text.

By staging encounters between the biblical Eve and re-writings of her story, particularly those that help to challenge the interpretative status quo, this book re-frames the first woman using three key themes from her story: sin, knowledge, and life. Thus, it considers how and why the image of Eve as a dangerous temptress has gained considerably more cultural currency than the equally viable pictures of her as a subversive wise woman or as a mourning mother.

The book offers a re-evaluation of the meanings and the myths of Eve, deconstructing the dominance of her cultural incarnation as a predominantly flawed female, and reconstructing a more nuanced presentation of the first woman's role in the Bible and beyond.

Holly Morse, Lecturer in Bible, Gender and Culture at the University of Manchester

Dr Holly Morse is Lecturer in Bible, Gender and Culture at the University of Manchester. Her research interests include gender, visual arts, and the Bible, female biblical interpretation, and hermeneutics. Her doctoral thesis was on the biblical figure of Eve and her cultural reception, with a focus on marginalised readers and readings.

Gallery One Encountering Eve: A Guide
Gallery Two Sin
1. Eve and Sin in the Hebrew Bible
2. Ancient Intertexts
3. Jewish and Christian Reception of Eve as Anti-Intellect
4. Jewish and Christian reception of Eve as Sinful Mother
5. Concluding Comments
Gallery Three Knowledge
1. Eve and Knowledge in the Hebrew Bible
2. Ancient Intertexts
3. Gnostic Reception of Eve as a Figure of Knowledge
4. Postmodern Feminist Reception of Eve as a Figure of Knowledge
5. Concluding Comments
Gallery Four Life
1. Mother Eve in the Hebrew Bible
2. Ancient Intertexts
3. Mother Eve in the Visual Arts
4. Mother Eve in the Work of Pre-Twentieth Century Women Writers
5. Concluding Comments
Gallery Five Everywoman Eve
Bibliography