The First Parents

 In Finnegans Wake, the characters HCE (Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker) and ALP (Anna Livia Plurabelle) can be likened to Adam and Eve from the Bible. HCE, as the everyman figure, represents the heart of the human experience, representing the fallen nature of humanity with its flaws, struggles, and desires. Like Adam, HCE struggles with the burden of sin. On the other hand, ALP can be associated with Eve, the temptress, but also the nurturer and life-giver, who represents redemption and renewal. Like Adam and Eve, they have two quarreling sons, Shem and Shaun. Shem is the more honorable of the two, while Shaun is the trixter. Later on, we will see parallels between these boys and Jacob and Esau, the grandsons of Abraham