Although we cannot assume that everyone is Christian or understands Christian imagery, "no matter what your religious beliefs, to get the most out of your reading of European and American literatures, knowing something about the Old and New Testament is essential" (, or even 118).
Foster provides a list of the qualities of Christ (page 119).
crucified, wounds in the hands, feet, side, and head
in agony
self-sacrificing
good with children
good with loaves, fishes, water, wine
thirty-three years of age when last seen
employed as a carpenter
known to use humble modes of transportation, feet or donkeys preferred
believed to have walked on water
often portrayed with arms outstretched
known to have spent time alone in the wilderness
believed to have had a confrontation with the devil, possibly tempted
last seen in the company of thieves
creator of many aphorisms and parables
buried, but arose on the third day
had disciples, twelve at first, although not all equally devoted
very forgiving
came to redeem an unworthy world
unmarried, preferably celibate
wounded in the hands, feet, or side (crowns of thorns extra)
Christ figures can signify hope, redemption, or even miracles. OR the figure could be ironic. Below, discuss the possible Christ figures in the literature we are reading.
Work and author
Christ figure
Qualities of the figure
Greater significance to the work as a whole
1984, George Orwell
Big Brother
Self-sacrificing, creator of many aphorisms and parables, had disciples
Big Brother is the epicenter of life in Orwell's dystopian future, a political avatar for the State, a group of people who dictate every minute aspect of life for the populous of Oceania (a superstate comprised of Europe, the Americas, and Australia/New Zealand). Big Brother and Jesus are, in many ways, complete opposites; however, religion is essentially nonexistent in Oceania, and Big Brother serves as a Christ-like figure. In fact, a slogan of the State (also called "the Party") is "God is Power." In this case, however, "God" is not a religious entity, but an embodiment of all goodness which can be found in the State. "God is Power" essentially means "Big Brother/the State/the Party is Power."
Big Brother does display some traits that are comparable to Christ, however corrupted they may be. Big Brother is portrayed as the caring, tough-but-fair, self-sacrificing type who only has the best interest for his people. Big Brother also dictates literally everything that is printed or shown in the media; he is a "creator of many aphorisms and parables," including one of the most prominent Party slogans: WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH. Big Brother is also shown to have disciples--multitudes of people who are completely and utterly devoted to him, along with the few who rebel against and betray him (Judas).
The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams
Jim O'Connor
Anticipated like the messiah, Superman, came to redeem and save
When Jim arrives is the Wingfield household, he is supposed to be Laura's savior. When Tom finally announces that Jim is coming for dinner, Amanda flies into a frenzy preparing for him. This is not unlike the preparations in the Bible when the people of Jerusalem prepare to welcome Jesus. Amanda asks Jim if he can hold some candles, and he says, "Sure, I'm Superman!" Superman is the ultimate Christ figure.
Superman in Superman: The Movie and Superman Returns. Both Superman and Jesus have been sent to Earth by their fathers (Jor-El and God, respectively). Both films chronicle the beginning of Superman's story, and included the famous quote: "They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason, above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you: my only son." In the first movie, Kal-El is sent to retire for 12 years to be educated "in spirit" by his father to be earth's savior. At the movie's ending, he made Lois Lane "Rise from death". In Returns, Superman tells Lois "You wrote that the world doesn't need a savior," (referring to her article, "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman") "but every day, I hear people crying for one." Later in the movie, Superman is stabbed in the side as Jesus was believed to have been during the Crucifixion; after casting the Crystal Continent into space, the fatigued Superman falls to Earth in a pose almost identical to that of a man being crucified. Superman wakes from coma in what seems the third day (by biblical timekeeping), mirroring Jesus' awakening on the third day after crucifixion.[36][37]
There are many connections to draw between Superman and Christ and when Jim says the words, "I'm Superman!" he tells us readers what to expect from him.
BUT HE DOESN'T DELIVER!!!
Jim seduces Laura, he takes her virginity, symbolized by the breaking of the unicorn horn, and then makes up a fake wife Betty and heads out the door as fast as he can. The result is a broken Laura, Amanda who refuses to live in the present, and Tom, who pulls a card out of his father's book, and leaves!
Jim is a perfect example of an ironic Christ figure. He comes to save, but instead destroys.
Foster provides a list of the qualities of Christ (page 119).
Christ figures can signify hope, redemption, or even miracles. OR the figure could be ironic. Below, discuss the possible Christ figures in the literature we are reading.
Big Brother does display some traits that are comparable to Christ, however corrupted they may be. Big Brother is portrayed as the caring, tough-but-fair, self-sacrificing type who only has the best interest for his people. Big Brother also dictates literally everything that is printed or shown in the media; he is a "creator of many aphorisms and parables," including one of the most prominent Party slogans: WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH. Big Brother is also shown to have disciples--multitudes of people who are completely and utterly devoted to him, along with the few who rebel against and betray him (Judas).
Superman in Superman: The Movie and Superman Returns. Both Superman and Jesus have been sent to Earth by their fathers (Jor-El and God, respectively). Both films chronicle the beginning of Superman's story, and included the famous quote: "They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason, above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you: my only son." In the first movie, Kal-El is sent to retire for 12 years to be educated "in spirit" by his father to be earth's savior. At the movie's ending, he made Lois Lane "Rise from death". In Returns, Superman tells Lois "You wrote that the world doesn't need a savior," (referring to her article, "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman") "but every day, I hear people crying for one." Later in the movie, Superman is stabbed in the side as Jesus was believed to have been during the Crucifixion; after casting the Crystal Continent into space, the fatigued Superman falls to Earth in a pose almost identical to that of a man being crucified. Superman wakes from coma in what seems the third day (by biblical timekeeping), mirroring Jesus' awakening on the third day after crucifixion.[36][37]
There are many connections to draw between Superman and Christ and when Jim says the words, "I'm Superman!" he tells us readers what to expect from him.
BUT HE DOESN'T DELIVER!!!
Jim seduces Laura, he takes her virginity, symbolized by the breaking of the unicorn horn, and then makes up a fake wife Betty and heads out the door as fast as he can. The result is a broken Laura, Amanda who refuses to live in the present, and Tom, who pulls a card out of his father's book, and leaves!
Jim is a perfect example of an ironic Christ figure. He comes to save, but instead destroys.
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