The First Murder Mystery: Cracking the Code of Cain’s Victim
Crossword puzzles are a delightful challenge, a mental workout that can leave you feeling satisfied and accomplished. But sometimes, those little black and white squares throw us a curveball, a clue that leaves us scratching our heads and searching for that elusive answer. Today, we’re tackling one such puzzle, focusing on a clue that has likely plagued countless crossword enthusiasts:
Cain’s victim
.
This clue is shrouded in a layer of biblical history, and it’s easy to get caught up in the emotional weight of the story. But remember, a crossword clue is designed to be deciphered, to be cracked like a code. So, let’s put aside the dramatic narrative for a moment and delve into the wordplay.
First, we need to consider the clue’s structure. “Cain’s victim” is a straightforward phrase, suggesting a direct relationship. There’s no ambiguity, no hidden wordplay. This means we can focus on the central figure: Cain.
Now, we know from the Book of Genesis that Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, killed his brother. This act of fratricide is a foundational event in religious history. But for our crossword purposes, we need to look beyond the emotional context and consider the clue’s literal interpretation.
Cain’s victim is simply the person who was slain by Cain. This is the key to unlocking the answer. It’s about the direct, factual relationship between the two, not the story’s emotional resonance.
So, with this in mind, think of the story’s core: Cain kills his brother. The clue is looking for the name of this brother, the first victim of murder in human history.
Remember, crossword puzzles are games of deduction, of using clues to reveal the hidden answer. So, keep this analysis in mind as you approach the clue. It’s not about the story’s emotional impact, but about the direct relationship between Cain and his victim.
Good luck, and happy solving!
Available Answers:
ABEL.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: NY Times Crossword 3 Sep 24, Tuesday