Cain and Abel

The story “Tomorrow Is Too Far” from The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Adichie has references from the story of Cain and Abel in the Bible. In the Book of Genesis, Cain and Abel are the first and second sons of Adam and Eve respectfully. After God accepts Abel’s sacrifice instead of Cain’s, Cain commits the first murder by killing his brother. While it is not specified why Cain sins, many believe that he was influenced by envy.

In Adichie’s story, the main character and her brother, Nonso, follow a similar pattern. Nonso, as the grandson who will carry the family name, is treated as the superior, despite being inferior at many things. The main character is very jealous of her brother because of how he is viewed as the better by their grandmother and mother. This seemingly random preference is similar to how God favors Abel and admonished Cain for complaining about the favoritism. The main character eventually follows Cain’s actions by scaring her brother so that he falls to his death.

This comparison gives a better understanding of the story to the reader. Not only does the main character express little guilt, just as Cain didn’t, she feels continually punished by her family for her actions. Seeing this similar experience of sibling jealousy in ancient works helps the reader to comprehend the rivalry as having the ability to manifest anywhere.