Notes:

The story of Cain and Abel follows directly after the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden. The two brothers depicted in the story are the first sons of Adam and Eve. In the narrative given to us, the four of them represent the first family of man: 
 

Adam, the first man and father
Eve, the first woman and mother 
Cain, the first son and brother
and Abel, the second

 
The story surrounds the murder of Abel that is committed by his older brother, Cain. The incentive for the murder originates inside Cain after he discovers that the Lord holds preference for Abel’s sacrificial offering of his sheep over Cain’s offering of his crop. 

The Thought of My Brother explores aspects of the events leading up to and following this murder. Abel’s slaughtering not only represents the first act of murder but also the first death of man, and consequentially, the first mourning of a loved one and the first punishment as applied to manslaughter.

It should be evident enough that this story depicts many first occurrences. For this reason, along with several others, this story is ripe for describing the emotional motivations and responses to these events that have now become common to us all. 

This piece is written from the perspective of an elderly Cain, many years after his act of murder, as an autobiographical entry. As you read, I invite you to attempt to extend your sympathies onto the characters of the story, even Cain himself. When Cain committed murder, he had no precedent for his action. The murder appeared as a manifestation of deep emotional unrest. Just as all of us do, he sought emotional release, answers to his questions regarding his struggles and confusions, as well as resolution to his suffering. I believe that Cain may have not understood fully the concept of murder until he committed the act with his own hands.

For many of us, the reality of our actions, regardless of whether they are good or bad, are not clear until we face the consequences of them, and furthermore, any additional understanding we may gather about their nature is usually uncovered through the reflection and consideration of similar actions performed by others.

The characters in this story had to deal with these actions, feelings, and dispositions with no experience and empathetic soul to seek comfort or refuge in. I urge you to consider this while reading, so you may properly understand the context of the narrative and the lessons it provides.