Cain and Abel

In Finnegans Wake, the HCE and ALP's sons Shem and Shaun can be seen as parallels to the biblical figures of Cain and Abel. As with Cain and Abel, the relationship between Shem and Shaun is marked by a profound sibling rivalry, jealousy, and brotherly strife. In the novel's intricate web of language and allusions, Shaun the cunning sibling, represents the envious Cain figure who seeks recognition and dominance over his brother. Meanwhile, Shem embodies the innocent and favoured Abel. You may remember the Bible story at the beginning of the book of Genesis where Eve gave birth to two sons. Cain was a tillage farmer while his brother Abel herded sheep. Both sacrificed the fruits of their labour to God, but Abel's sacrifice was favoured more. Cain, in a fit of jealousy, killed his brother and God sent him away to live in the land of Nod. In Chapter 1 of Finnegans Wake, we have already come across two references to the biblical figures, once on Page 28 with the word "kanekannan" and on page 29 with "changing cane sugar into sethulose starch". For the last reference, we need to know when Cain had been sent away from his family home, Adam and Eve had another son and called him Seth. We will come across more references as we go on and even more parallels with Biblical characters. #JamesJoyce #FinnegansWake #Bible #Genesis #cainandabel