Was his brother's name Cain?' asked Tom. Hatty pretended not to have heard him. This was particularly irritating to Tom, as it was what he had to suffer from all the other people in the garden. 'Because the story of Cain and Abel is in the Bible, and Cain really killed Abel. I don't believe this Abel who gardens here has anything to do with the Bible Abel-except that he was called after him. I don't believe this Abel ever had a brother who tried to murder him.
In Tom's Midnight Garden, Tom questions whether Abel, a character in the garden, has a brother named Cain, referring to the biblical story of Cain and Abel. His inquiry is met with silence from Hatty, which frustrates him further, as he feels ignored by everyone around him in the garden. This reflects Tom's growing sense of isolation and his need for connection and understanding in a world that seems unresponsive.
Tom expresses skepticism about the link between the garden's Abel and the biblical narrative, suggesting that while Abel shares a name with the biblical figure, there is no evidence of any fraternal conflict. This deepens the theme of exploring reality versus imagination, as Tom grapples with the relationships and stories surrounding him in the mysterious garden, all while trying to find his place within that enchantment.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
