George Murphy's answer is to the point: the purpose of Gen 1-11 is to reveal
God's views of relationships between God and humans, man and woman, humans and
others humans, mankind and the world.
The problem with the literal/physical aspect of these chapters is that they
reflect the scientific opinions of the writer's day. It is not there was no
creation, no flood, or no tower of Babel; but that these are described
according to the scientific and historical assumptions and historigraphy of
the times, plus being molded for the purpose of communicating the theological
supra-cultural message. From the divine point of view it is a contextualized
message, not a scientific report.
This all needs more explication which is why I write longer papers than are
appropriate for answers on list; but, keep sending questions.
Paul Seely