By Tiffany Pritchett 4 th Period September 28 th 2011 Chapter 14 Yes, She’s a Christ Figure, Too My HTRLLAP Project

Rule #1 As a reader, you must put all your beliefs aside. “Still, no matter what your religious beliefs, to get the most out of your reading of European and American literature, knowing something about the Old and New Testaments are essential” (Foster 118). If you read a novel that implied various facts about a religion you know very little about, you may be missing key aspects due to your ignorance of that culture.

Key Characteristics of a Christ Figure Although there are many different religious gods, there are key signs to identifying them in literature. “While we may not be all that well versed in types and archetypes from the Bible, we generally recognize, whatever our religious affiliation, some features that make Christ who he is” (Foster 119).

Key Characteristics of a Christ Figure (continued) “This list may be helpful: crucified, wounds in hands, feet, side, and head, often portrayed with arms outstretched 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 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” (Foster ).

Although Not All Christ Figures are as Unambiguous “No, they don’t have to hit all the marks. Don’t have to be make. Don’t have to be Christian. Don’t even have to be an good example” (Foster 121) A Christ figure needs to have some resemblance to Jesus Christ, or otherwise they would not be a true martyr. “The bottom line, I usually tell the class, is that Christ figures are where you find them, and as you find them. If the indicators are there, then there is some basis for drawing the conclusion” (Foster 123).

Why use Christ Figures? It deepens our sense of a character’s sacrifice, thematically has to do with redemption, hope or miracles. “And the struggle is so vivid and concrete that one can get a a lot out of it- triumph over adversity, the value of hope and faith, the attainment of grace- without placing undue weight on the old man, Santiago [used as an example earlier in the paragraph], as a Christ figure” (Foster 121).

How a Christ Figure can be Perceived Often in literature, a Christ figure is seen as a powerful and pure force. “Or maybe it is all being treated ironically, to make the character look smaller rather than greater” (Foster 124). A Christ figure is perceived by how the author chooses to portray the character through his/her actions, thoughts and dialogue. The perception of a Christ figure may also depend on how other characters interact with each other.

Christ Figures featured in Great Expectations There is no genuine Christ figure in Great Expectations. It is difficult for the reader to find a character that completely embodies all the aspects of Christ, for Dickens always showed the good and bad in all characters featured in his tale. Joe is an example, because he showed true love towards Pip, and stayed by his side through out the whole story. “ But I loved Joe--perhaps for no better reason than because the dear fellow let me love him” (Dickens 92). Yet he is not really an inspiration to Pip due to his illiteracy and lower class status

Christ Figures in Everyday Life A Christ figure can be anyone you look up to and/or go to for advice. Like mentioned earlier, it all depends on your opinion. Anyone with a positive impact in your life could be seen as a Christ figure.

Works Cited Dickens, Charles. Great Expectations. New York: Bantam Dell, Print. Foster, Thomas C. How to Read Literature Like a Professor. New York: Harper-Collins Publishers, Inc., Print.