Connected to the curiosity themes, this story warns readers or listeners of the effects of disobedience. The wife will be threatened with death by her husband for her disobedience. She will later repent of her transgression. The positive results of her repentance will be discussed in future notes. Return to place in story.
Temptation is related to the curiosity and disobedience themes in the story.
For some critics, the tale is a cautionary one against woman's innate wickedness that leads to the betrayal and ultimate destruction of her husband. This theme is once again present in the story of Pandora's box. In the days when childbearing was a principle cause of death, a husband essentially killed his wife by making her pregnant. Return to place in story. Blood is rich with symbolic meanings.