NCHS AP English Language

Mark of Cain- Patrick Collins, Kate Pennebaker

Cain and Abel are two brothers whose story can be found in the Bible. Basically, both of them offered God a sacrfice but God preferred Abel's, not for any specific reason. Cain was jealous and thought that his brother was trying to show him up so he killed him out of envy and rage. God marked Cain to warn others not to condemn him but to protect him. This is similar to the story of Ahab in Moby Dick. The whale took his leg and instead of hunting whales in general, he is out searching for THE WHALE to get revenge. Of course, Moby Dick did not take his leg on purpose, just like Abel did not try to show his brother up. Ahab has two distinct marks: his peg leg, which is a constant reminder of the anger he feels which fuels his need for revenge and his scar, which is a reminder that Ahab's crew does not know both sides of his personality.

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 2:19 PM