Batman As A Christ-Like Figure In The Dark Knight Returns

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A magnitude of literary work will portray a Christ-like figure within, “This may surprise some of you, but we live in a Christian culture” (Foster 124). We may not always have blunt and obvious signs of the portrayal of Christ, but they are there. For instance, Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter are both great representations of a Christ-like figure on the grounds of resurrection. At first thought you may think it’s hard to consider Batman as being a Christ-like figure. In The Dark Knight Returns the character Batman expresses a large amount of violence and an unforgiving personality which is unusual for a superhero. Batman encounters many hard and crucial decisions that he must make throughout. For instance, the encounter …show more content…

Batman goes on to say, “I believe you” and then right after those three words shoots and kills the Mutant (Miller 9, Book 2). Now understandably if this was truly Christ the Mutant would have survived. But we must remember, “a Christ figure doesn’t need to resemble Christ in every way; otherwise he wouldn’t be a Christ figure, he’d be, well, Christ” “(Foster 129). Another point that could go against Batman being considered as a Christ-like figure is his unforgiving personality. Even after many years of hiding, Batman still had the intent to seek full wrath of vengeance on the Joker. The Joker in this instance could be represented as the devil as he attempts to prey on Batman and the people of Gotham, just like Jesus and his noble people. But there is a difference …show more content…

Thomas Foster the author of How to Read Literature Like a Professor wrote a list of identifiers while searching for a Christ-like figure. The very first one is, “crucified, wounds in the hands, feet, side, and head” (Foster 126). One of the first fights with the Mutant Leader, Batman ends up with scars on his head and side. Which directly correlates to Foster’s list even though Batman was not crucified. Another sign is when Bruce said, “I walk the streets of this city I’m learning to hate, the city that’s given up, like the whole world seems to have” (Miller 5, Book 1). Even though Bruce says this he still never gives up on fighting for the good of Gotham city. He is constantly sacrificing his life each and every-time he goes out to defend the citizens. Jesus was faced with hatred and countless attacks, but stays true to his calling. If Batman wouldn’t have continued the city would have completely fell

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