Three ways to look at Sling Blade Freudian Lens– all that Oedipal father

issue stuff Marxist lens– how does a lack of power

(financial, political, etc.) effect the story and its outcome?

Genre– what components of Southern Gothic are incorporated and to what end?

Christ Figure– (sort of a sub section of Hero’s Journey)…

The Christ Figure in Literature CHRIST FIGURE --is a literary technique

that authors use to draw allusions between their characters and the biblical Jesus Christ. More loosely, the Christ Figure is a spiritual or prophetic character who parallels Jesus, or other spiritual or prophetic figures. (Wikipedia).

* Does not necessarily mean the character exhibits Christian ideology, values, or dogma.

The Hero’s Journey

The pattern is closely followed in many of the world's spiritual narratives, in shamanism, initiation rites, mystery religions (descent to the underworld), and in the mythologies of the world's major religious or spiritual systems, including the stories of Gautama Buddha, Moses or Jesus. Wikipedia

Christ Figure– But Why? From How to Read Literature Like a Professor

by Thomas C. Foster: Today’s society is a Christian culture, regardless of

your religious beliefs Culture is so influenced by its dominant religious

systems that whether a writer adheres to the beliefs or not, the values and principles of those religions will inevitably inform the literary work.  Often those values will not be religious in nature but may show themselves in connection with the individual's role within society (118).

Even non- Christians know why it’s called Christianity.

Ways to recognize a Christ figureFrom “How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster

Crucified, wounds in the hands feet, side and head

 In agony (perhaps even great physical suffering)

Self-sacrificing (big sacrifice, preferably a life, for others)

Good with children Good with loaves, fish, water,

wine Thirty-three years of age when

last seen 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 had a confrontation with the devil, possibly tempted (in a wilderness--disappears to the wilderness)

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 (at the least offers hope)

Other considerations when looking for a Christ figure unmarried, preferably celibate carpenter has a fit of anger (Christ at the

temple with the moneychangers) sermon on the mount Brings light into a dark world

Christ figures are written in order for the writer to get a point across.       Foster writes, "Perhaps the

parallel deepens our sense of the character's sacrifice if we see it as somehow similar to the greatest sacrifice we know of.  Maybe it has to do with redemption, or hope, or miracle" (123)

Some traits of the Christ figure:Some traits of the Christ figure: there may be performance of miracles, there may be performance of miracles,

manifestation of divine qualities, healing others, manifestation of divine qualities, healing others, display loving kindness and forgiveness, fight for display loving kindness and forgiveness, fight for justice, die and rise again justice, die and rise again

Christ figures are often martyrs, sacrificing Christ figures are often martyrs, sacrificing themselves for causes larger than themselves.themselves for causes larger than themselves.

The Green Mile

The character often enters the world of the story from some outside world unknown to the other characters.

• It is common to see Christ figures displayed in a manner suggestive of crucifixion as well; this technique is more noticeable in films than in literature.

Cool Hand Luke

Cool Hand Luke– Egg eating contest (miracle)

Michealangelo’s Pieta

Hitchcock’s “pieta shot” from Topaz

(One of MANY of) Scorsese’s pieta shots –Raging Bull

There are often “disciples” that accept his philosophy and carry it on after him.

In the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, 12 patients go on the fishing trip (in itself, a miracle)

It happens in lame movies too.

And Kids’ movies

There’s a prophecy, by Vitruvius“Piece of Resistance” (think “Holy Grail” or “Ark of the Covenant”) and “the Special” (the Only One who can use the Piece to save the world). Which is something like any religious prophesy about a savior.Emmet also sacrifices himself for his friends, plunges through a tunnel into the Light, learns an unforeseeable truth about his world and is resurrected to return to the quest. That has echoes of Jesus and Guru Nanak, the father of Sikhism.

In postmodern literature, the resurrection theme is often abandoned, leaving us with the image of a martyr sacrificing himself for a greater good. (But not always….see “E.T.”)

Sling Blade

What are his only possessions again?

From http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/SlingBlade.htm

There is also some oedipal stuff, but I’m tired of Freud.