ABSTRACT
In tracing the development of the biblical myth, the first step is to pick out changes made to the initial scheme, to the very drama that was played out in Eden, across a range of literary works of established quality. After analysing the story in purely narrative terms and then in terms of its underlying message, it is possible to establish the following elementary structure of meaning or semiotic square: Two opposites are involved: life, and death, with conjunction set against disjunction. Several works inspired by the biblical story of Eden cover only its first section. Hugo develops this theme, summarizing it in the last line of Le Sacre de la Femme: Eve, pale, felt movement in her side. However, the author examines the nature of its central figure, the serpent, the bringer of temptation.
