Prior to Eve’s existence, another woman, Lilith, walked the Earth beside Adam. The biblical canon excluded Lilith, favoring Eve as the ideal submissive woman. The inclusion of Lilith would have altered the perception and position of women throughout history by introducing the concept of equality on a large scale. Lilith’s removal from the biblical narrative allows for patriarchal control to prevail. Regardless of their actions, Lilith and Eve are vilified in different ways proving that it is not about the woman as an individual, but the fact that she is a woman. The vilification of Lilith and Eve contributes to the continued exclusion of women in the church which can be resolved by acknowledging the historical importance of Lilith and the lack of positive female representation in the Bible.
Olivia, really nice synopsis of your work. I can already see an evolution in your work from early in the semester and this abstract.