# Noah Built the Ark explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James Weldon Johnson.

## What happens

This chapter recounts the biblical story of Noah building the ark, the fall of Adam and Eve, and the subsequent flood as divine judgment. It emphasizes Noah's righteousness and the people's refusal to repent, leading to their destruction.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Spirituality

Noah's unwavering faith and obedience to God's command contrast with the sinful world, highlighting the importance of spiritual devotion.

### Temptation and Fall

The story of Adam and Eve illustrates the temptation by Satan and the fall from grace, introducing sin into the world.

## Character check-ins

### Noah

Noah is depicted as a just and righteous man who builds the ark and preaches repentance, but is mocked by the crowd.

### Adam

Adam is called out by God after eating the forbidden fruit, and he blames Eve for his transgression.

### Eve

Eve is tempted by Satan to eat the forbidden fruit and then offers it to Adam, leading to the fall of man.

### Satan

Satan appears as a snake in the grass, deceiving Eve into eating the forbidden fruit and introducing sin into the world.

### Lawd

God is portrayed as the creator who judges the wickedness of humanity, commands Noah to build the ark, and ultimately sends the flood.

## Key lines

> Sinners, oh, sinners, Repent, for the judgment is at hand.

Noah warns sinners to repent because God's judgment is imminent.

_This repeated call to repentance underscores the urgency of turning away from sin._

> And Noah wept and fell on his face And hugged and kissed the dry ground.

Noah wept and embraced the dry land after the floodwaters receded.

_This moment of relief and gratitude marks the end of the flood and God's promise._

> God hung out his rainbow cross the sky, And he said to Noah: That’s my sign! No more will I judge the world by flood— Next time I’ll rain down fire.

God placed a rainbow in the sky as a covenant, vowing never to flood the earth again but warning of future judgment by fire.

_The rainbow symbolizes God's promise and a shift from flood to fire as a future judgment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_13_se/chapters/noah-built-the-ark
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_13_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_13_se/chapters