Introduction: Adam and Eve, original sin, compassion, and forgiveness -- Part I. Symbol, myth, and biblical narrative. Paul Ricoeur: a wider context for the Adamic myth -- The Adamic myth in the Hebrew Testament -- The Adamic myth in the New Testament -- Part II. The symbol gives rise to thought: from biblical narrative to autobiography, theory, and doctrine. Augustine: original sin and compassion -- Adam and Eve and original sin: classical formulations and modern developments -- Compassion as prelude to forgiveness -- Rene Girard: original sin as covetousness -- Part III. The word becomes flesh: from theory and doctrine to literature. Perceval: compassion awakened through conversion -- Julian Norwich: from blindness to the vision of love -- Shakespeare's Measure for measure: compassion in the state -- Detective and priest: Georges Simenon's compassionate commissioner Maigret.
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