Phantastes

The analogies and symbolism in Phantastes caught my attention.  I particularly noticed the significance of the shadow Anodos finds in the cupboard he was not supposed to open. 
After relaying the story to a friend, she likened it to Pandora's Box.  I had not thought of that, but it was interesting.  What I thought of when reading this particular part was sin and the story of how it entered the world.  Adam and Eve were told not to eat a certain fruit, and Anodos was told not to open a door.  Adam and Eve did eat, and Anodos did open.  The result for Adam and Eve was an introduction to sin, which kills and destroys.  Humans now have a sinful nature.  Anodos was introduced to his shadow, which is in my mind a sinful nature.  He takes note of how everything the shadow touches withers and dies, or changes somehow.  The shadow even clouds Anodos' mind.  He is no longer able to discern clearly the fairies and the trees, and he starts to think of his shadow as a blessing.  He says that he is fortunate to have a guide in Faerie Land, so that he will not be easily deceived.  I thing people in the real world sometimes think like that; we sometimes think that our sin is reality - we are lucky to be grounded - and that the idea of living without guilt and sin is fantasy.