The Role of Religion in the Potterverse

[Carol]

No: HPFGUIDX 186229

Geoff wrote:
> <snip> This is where perhaps the confusion over Christ-figure has arisen, it may be a question of semantics and our use of the word. I do not accept that any human can die to carry the sins of others and ensure the salvation of their soul. A human can die in self-sacrifice to save other people physically but that is the limit. Hence, in my book, the only Christ figure is Christ himself. ,snip>

Carol responds:
I understand and respect your feelings, but can you suggest another term in place of the conventional term "Christ figure" for a (fully human) character who resembles Christ in certain characteristics (such as love, humility, and self-sacrifice) without being Christ himself? ("Everyman" won't do; it's a different concept altogether.) Since it's possible to interpret a number of literary characters in this way (Gandalf, for example), we need a term for the concept, and "Christ figure" is the only one I know of that is actually used and commonly recognized. In the eyes of the literary critics who use this term, a Christ *figure* is no more Christ himself than a father *figure* is literally the father of the person who sees him in these terms. We could, for example, compare DD and Snape as father figures for Harry and Draco, respectively, with no delusions as to either of them being the character's actual father, just as we can see Harry as a Christ figure with no delusions as to his being Christ (or even Christ*like* in all respects).

Carol, who can think of no other term that would serve the purpose