how do you interpret the story of original sin from a mythic standpoint?
That
is my interpretation. That it is mythology that some people have and still do take completely literally.
If[1] it were to be looked at as literature, it does not seem to be presented in the story in a metaphorical or symbolic way. If you look at the whole, disjointed, contradictory mess of a story right through jesus H, the characters and events that took place in Eden are taken as literal facts by the rest of the characters.
From the perspective of the various authors of the various stories of this compillation, they also do not seem to be trying to make a veiled point by using the Eden story symbolically. They seem to be trying to actually explain something and see their writings as "journalism" or "science" rather than a description of abstract ideas relating to the human condition.
Contrast that with modern fiction writers. For example, in Huckleberry Finn, when Huck and Jim hid out in the cave, it could be said the cave was a metaphor for a womb. It was a dark, wet place that was safe for the duo where they could prepare themselves to face the world at large. This can be said because Twain was trying to make broader points about people and life. He never alleged that there actually was a Huck or Jim. They are symbols themselves. This was not the view of Eve and Adam until 200-300 years ago. Up until the scientific revolution and the Age of Reason, they were considered to be literal, historical figures.
In light of new knowledge, we have since tried to reinterpret these ancient stories, calling them allegory or metaphors. But in my opinion, that is a giant failure to understand their context. If E&A are symbolic and the story of the fall is just a metaphor, then that undermines, if not utterly destroys, the supposed literal truths espoused in the same literature. Does that mean yhwh and the serpent are metaphors also? What about the hebrew patriarchs who alleged to trace their lineage to Adam? What about jesus H, whom is also alleged to have lineage traced to Adam? If Abe, Isaac, Jake and Noah are all metaphors - ie fictional - then Luke 3:23b-24, 36-38 is shot to hell and the whole authority of jesus H is shot to hell.
As I see it, you cannot have it both ways. The bible is either literal or literary.
