Mark Twain's The Diaries of Adam and Eve is a delightful exercise in curiosity. He records journal entries from these two mythological parents of humanity, detailing the rapid changes of their lives. Providing a platform for his own religious commentary, Twain remains mostly true to the Biblical description of the Fall, although he adds his own twist to the story. He muses about how Adam and Eve could have responded to one another and responded differently to their circumstances because of their personalities and genders.
The majority of Twain's witty commentary revolves around gender roles. He paints Eve as a curious one, determined to win Adam's approval. Adam, on the other hand, is kind of a stick in the mud. He considers Eve beautiful but foolish, not appreciating her drive for curiosity or change. Twain pits the two against one another and draws them as the best of friends, perfectly illustrating the push-pull dynamic of a balanced relationship.
While the story's climax is the banishment from Eden, Twain continues on until Eve's and Adam's deaths. His commentary on death, unavoidable in such a tale, is one of melancholy and repentance. Immediately after being banished, both Adam and Eve understand that they will die. And they're afraid. Eve, especially, talks about death a lot. She observes how Adam ages and becomes weaker. Rather than face the paralyzing loneliness of life after his death, she prays to be allowed to die first, a wish which is granted apparently. Despite their ominous curse, the couple manages to make a meaningful life together, growing closer and more intimate throughout the years. When his wife dies, Adam commemorates her life by proclaiming she carried Eden around with her always.
