What does the forbidden fruit symbolize?

[fhansen]

They had nothing but a desire to live. To make them sound as if they were not able to Fast (who taught them to?) is to disrespect their ability to do so.
I can fast if a catholic during lent, because I understand why I would be doing so.
No where in the bible does God explain his reasons. They must blindly obey.
He tells them they will die, but they dont know what that even means.

They might not have known what it means. It appears we’re here now to *learn *what it means- to learn that Gods’ will really is perfect because He’s a God of infinite love as well as wisdom-and deserves obedience. Maybe it takes awhile-time and experience in a world where good and evil (that which opposes Gods’ will) are known-combined with revelation, for us to be capable of discerning the “value” of God.