The Truth of Adam, Eve, and the Serpent?

Most of us are aware of the story of the first man and woman in the bible, and how their life in paradise was brought to an unfortunate end. Most of us are also aware of the repercussions of those actions, and what they mean to us today. Though one must wonder.. Is that all there is to this story? Is it literal? Is it an allegory? Or is there an even deeper meaning to it that is overlooked?

If it is literal, then we can throw out all scientific knowledge and timelines that are supported by scientific evidence and conclude that all research done by mankind is completely fallible. 6,000 years ago the earth was created, and then man, woman from man's rib, and everyone today are descendants of them. Then of course there is the serpent in this story. The serpent (who is later identified to be Satan by some) approaches Eve and tells her that God only doesn't want them to eat from the tree of knowledge because upon eating from it, they will become like God and attain knowledge. Then out of this knowledge we know that this is the beginning of the end, the seed of evil, sin, and death.

If this story is an allegory then it may just mean not to be tempted by selfish desires, to listen to authority. Or possibly a story of maturity, Adam and Eve in the beginning were like children, free from responsibility, living under the protective care of their father. Once they disobeyed and attained the consciousness of an adult, they realized themselves, and their surroundings and it was time for them to live on their own. With their newfound responsibilities, outside of the care of their father they found suffering. Much like much of us do today after leaving the simple pleasures of childhood.

Then there's another twist to this epic story, a much more controversial idea, but to simply ignore it based on presumptions is an ultimate in ignorance, and ignorance breeds evil. Is it possible that we are looking at the history of a fight over knowledge.. an awakening if you will? It was the tree of knowledge that they ate from after all, why would God not want us to have knowledge? Why would an evil force (the serpent) want us to have this knowledge? What does it mean? It seems that the serpent who is said to be the father of the lie, couldn't be lying. Fore after they ate from the tree it was said that their eye(s) would be opened and that then they would become like God, and that they would not die. When God came to visit the garden he confirmed this saying that they had become like one of us(pluralistic, seeming to be others like God himself) and he went on to punish man for disobeying by cursing them(seeming to be a root of many problems) and kicking them out of the Garden of Eden. 

Now there are a few key elements i would like to point out here. Upon eating from the tree of knowledge they gained the knowledge between right and wrong. If they didn't know the difference before how could they have made a rational decision? Also, God then barred the tree of life from them so that they could not achieve everlasting life. It then seems that disobeying God did not directly cause them to lose immortality, they didn't have it to begin with. So upon this interpretation, what was out purpose? 

Thoughts?