Sample Close Reading PL IV 453-470

Eve's account of her own creation highlights the importance of experience in making right choices. Eve awakens and wanders "with unexperienc't thought" (457) to a clear pool of water. Not knowing better, she is entranced by her reflection that is "pleased" (464) to return her admiring looks. The text does not make a moral judgment; Eve simply doesn't know better. Lack of experience is no sin, but vanity is. Eve would have remained pining for the image in "vain desire" (466) had not God taught her about herself. Experience alone, then, is not enough; one must have the proper experience of relying on God.