Christianity in Literature

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Christianity in Literature

Christianity is one of the most influential religions in the world, and its impact on literature is undeniable. From the earliest writings of the Bible to the contemporary works of Christian authors, Christianity has shaped the themes, characters, and values of many literary works. In this paper, I will explore some of the depictions of Christianity in literature, focusing on three aspects: symbolism, morality, and diversity.

Symbolism is a common way of representing Christianity in literature. Many authors use symbols to convey Christian concepts, such as the cross, the lamb, the fish, and the dove. For example, in The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, the lion Aslan represents Jesus Christ, who sacrifices himself to save the world from evil and then resurrects. In The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, the ring represents sin and temptation, which corrupts those who possess it and can only be destroyed by a selfless act of courage. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the letter A represents adultery, which marks the protagonist Hester Prynne as a sinner and an outcast in a Puritan society.

Morality is another aspect of Christianity that influences literature. Many authors explore the moral dilemmas and choices that Christians face in their lives, such as forgiveness, justice, love, and faith. For example, in Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, the protagonist Jean Valjean is a former convict who is redeemed by the grace of God and the kindness of a bishop. He then devotes his life to helping others, even his enemy Javert, who pursues him relentlessly. In Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, the protagonist Raskolnikov is a student who commits a murder to prove his superiority over others. He then suffers from guilt and remorse, until he confesses his crime and finds redemption through the love of a prostitute named Sonya.

Diversity is another aspect of Christianity that reflects in literature. Christianity is not a monolithic religion, but rather a diverse and dynamic one that encompasses different denominations, traditions, cultures, and perspectives. Many authors portray the diversity of Christianity in their works, showing how Christians interact with each other and with other religions. For example, in The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene, the protagonist is a priest who struggles with his faith and his vocation in a Mexican state that persecutes Catholics. He encounters various characters who challenge his views on Christianity, such as a mestizo who betrays him, a lieutenant who hunts him down, and a fellow priest who collaborates with the authorities. In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the protagonist Okonkwo is an Igbo leader who resists the arrival of Christian missionaries in his village. He witnesses how Christianity affects his culture and his family, leading to conflicts and tragedies.

In conclusion, Christianity is a rich and complex religion that has inspired many literary works throughout history. By using symbolism, morality, and diversity as lenses to analyze some of these works, we can gain a deeper understanding of how Christianity shapes literature and vice versa.

References

Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. London: Heinemann Educational Books Ltd., 1958.

Dostoyevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment. Translated by Constance Garnett. New York: Modern Library Classics Edition., 2002.

Greene, Graham. The Power and the Glory. New York: Penguin Classics Edition., 2003.

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Boston: Ticknor & Fields., 1850.

Hugo, Victor. Les Miserables. Translated by Norman Denny. London: Penguin Classics Edition., 1982.

Lewis, C.S. help write my dissertation on The Chronicles of Narnia. London: HarperCollins Children’s Books., 2001.

Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings. London: HarperCollins Publishers., 1999.