Miltonian references

The Complete Stalky & Co ,"The Satisfaction of a Gentleman", p. 382 line 4.

"Last lesson that day was English Literature, - "Paradise Lost" ..."

All best

John R

On Tuesday, 10 May 2016, 7:20, John Walker <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Dear Alan,

How about a Miltonian reference, in its turn linked to Ovid? Paradise Lost book nine, I think, there is a reference to the garland that Adam has been making when Eve comes to him, concerned that she may be needing to keep his attention, and ready to offer 'the apple'. Following the Ovidian reference, we have a garland becoming a wreath in memory of innocence.

Certainly there is the deeper, more carnal inference, but cloaked by literary cachet.

Best regards,

John

On Tue, May 10, 2016 at 1:48 AM, Dr Alan N Cowan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

I am bemused as to the meaning of the following line in "The Conundrum of the Workshops":

"And the wreath of Eve is red on the turf as she left it long ago"

The obvious interpretation is that it refers to Eve's loss of virginity after she and Adam tasted the apple. Yet it is not usual to find in Kipling's work such explicit references to human sexuality; the only exception that springs to mind is "Azrael's Count".
And why "the wreath"?
The NRG sheds no light.
Do any readers have any suggestions?
Dr Alan N Cowan
Canberra Australia