In the essay, "Green Gulch" by Loren Eiseley and the poem, "The Incident" by

Countee Cullen, a common theme is present. The theme established in both works is

"coming to a knowledge of evil." Both writings are written in first person detached,

where the author is reflecting upon an event that occurred in childhood, which may have

had a profound impact upon these individuals. Is it possible for children, at a young age to

experience evil? My goal is to compare the works in three ways. The first way is to show

that both works share a common theme. Secondly, how both of the authors became

exposed to a corroding knowledge of evil at a young age., and lastly, to show the loss of

innocence the authors go through after witnessing evil.

In the essay, "Green Gulch," the author states, "I think, looking back, that it must

have been a little like a child following goblins home to heir hill at nightfall, but nobody

threatened me." This quote is in reference to his following of the older children from the

other part of town. The author uses a metaphor to compare the older children to goblins.

the first time someone called you a name, it becomes something you always have in the

of the eight months spent in Baltimore, out of all the things that happened, this incident is

roadside and telling him to follow the street lamps home. He said the group became

often associated with evil, mischievousness, and maliciousness. For instance,

fresh. To show the mischievousness of the "goblins" he writes about a turtle, "They

them until their adult years. They were able to reflect back on their childhood and

adults because it was the evil of childhood in which no one believes." He had indeed

I believe once you experience something unforgettable, may it be your first kiss, or

discovered evil. It was a monstrous and corroding knowledge. It could not be told to

pounded him to death with stones on the other side of the pool while I looked on in

stupefied horror. I had never seen death before." Imagine your first glance at death...you

knowledge of evil". The author is reflecting upon childhood, the same as Eiseley. He was

Some common words found in the essay are:
Loren Eiseley, Green Gulch, Countee Cullen, Baltimore December, knowledge evil, coming knowledge evil, coming knowledge, green gulch, Literary Response, Incident Countee, incident countee cullen, essay green gulch, poem incident countee, countee cullen, incident countee, loss innocence, poem incident, common theme, author reflecting, called nigger,
Approximate Word count = 778
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)