Eve's Diary

Author: Mark Twain
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-11-01
Features: This book was published in 1906 and is the author's late work. Although it is merely a short piece, it reveals weaknesses beneath its innocence, interspersed with satire in its narration, forming the portrait of American girls at that time, which the author believed to be the epitome of all women. However, the smile on their faces clearly shows their age. Fortunately, thanks to the author's skilled craftsmanship, it is difficult to discern, still maintaining a lively essence. Moreover, the translator successfully conveys the vitality while keeping it simple and unadorned, almost to the point where one might imagine if Eve had kept a diary in Chinese, it would be remarkably similar. It is even more worth reading. If cities disappear, then they will all vanish on the same night. I know—trouble will arise from this. I want to sit there every night, wide-eyed, gazing at them as far as possible. I want to etch these twinkling stars into my memory, so when they gradually fade, I can use my imagination to bring back thousands upon thousands of lovely and beautiful stars to the dark sky, letting them shine once more. Through tear-filled eyes, the number of stars will surely double.
After Falling: Whenever I recall everything that has happened, I feel that Eden was nothing but a dream—a beautiful dream, so unparalleled, so enchanting, but now it is gone forever, and I will never see it again. I have lost Eden, but I have gained him, and I am content. His love for me is so meticulous, and I love him in return, with all my capacity and inherent tenderness. I think it is only natural for a young girl like me to feel this way. If I were to ask myself why I love him, my answer would be that I don’t know, and I really don’t care to know. Why would I love him? I believe it is simply because he is a man. Ultimately, he treats me well, so I love him, but even if he didn’t, I would still love him. If he were to hit me or scold me, I would still love him. I know I would. I think it has something to do with gender. He is strong and handsome, and for that, I love and admire him, feeling honored to love him. But even if he were neither strong nor handsome, I would still love him. If he were unattractive, I would love him; if he were frail and disabled, I would still love him. I would work for him, endure hardships for him, and pray for him until the very end, remaining by his side, unwavering.
Forty Years Later: I pray, I long: that we may leave this world together—this longing will never vanish from the world, occupying a place in the hearts of every woman who has experienced love, until the end of time, and they will forever remember my name. However, if one of us were to leave this world first, I pray that I may go first. Because he is strong and I am weak, to him, I am not indispensable, but to me, he is everything—I cannot call life without him a life, and how could I endure it? This prayer will be eternal, and my descendants will continue to bear children, but even then, this prayer will not cease. I am the first wife in the world, and the last wife in the world will repeat everything I have done.
Elegy on Eve’s Tomb: Adam: Wherever she is, there is Eden.