Christ Figures
Ever since I first began to understand great literature and great films (i.e. Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities) I realized that central to many of them is variations on the Christ story- the story of a Savior. Joseph Campbell, of course, would tell us that such stories are at the heart of all great Myths and Epics and People-hood and Heroic Stories. From Don Quixote (arguably the first since his is truly the first western novel) through Jim in Huck Finn to Owen Meany these characters- figures- introduce us to salvation in one form or another.

Well, Ben Meyers and Kim Fabricius have two wonderful posts that list their favorites in both film and literature. In introducing the film listing Kim made sure he explained what had to happen in the film character's life to qualify:

• The character comes from another world/environment.
• The character is “other”, alien, strange.
• The character transcends his/her/its surroundings.
• The character is salvific, i.e. bestows blessings like inspiration, liberation, transformation, reconciliation, justice, healing to other people or a community.
• The character arouses opposition and/or suffers.
• And, crucially – it eliminates a host of famous potentials – the character does not maim or kill, i.e. is fundamentally non-violent (there go westerns like Shane and science fiction flicks like Terminator 2).
• To narrow the field further, the character cannot be biblical, or even religious (so no priests or nuns), nor historical (e.g. Ghandi or Schindler), nor come from an animated film (sorry, Shrek!).

Both lists are done chronologically (how can one choose the Best Christ-figure, after all?) and have generated lots of good comments. As I read the lists I was struck by how powerful the Jesus story is in culture. If you add back in historical characters presented in that way in books, then some of the religious figures of fiction and finally the world-wide variations based on similar stories in other world-religions- it becomes quite evident that spiritual issues are at the heart of much great literature and film. Well, doh!

Link to Christ-figures in films.

Link to Christ-figures in novels.