Aibileen Clarke, who is a significant and main character in The Help, is a good example of a Christ figure according to Thomas C. Fosters book of How to Read Literature Like a Professor. Even though she does not obtain all the characteristics of a Christ figure, she demonstrates almost all of them.
1. In Agony- Aibileen is in agony over her sons death. She is living in the pain of not having him around and how he died so young.
2. Self-Sacrificing- Aibileen is self-sacrificing herself when she decides to help Skeeter in writing her book. She knows that by helping Skeeter in telling stories of how being a black maid is and by helping fight racism in Jackson, Mississippi, she could be greatly punished and even thrown in jail. She chooses to do what she feels is right and helps Skeeter anyways.
3. Good with Children- Aibileen is a maid that helps take care of a households. In The Help she says, "Taking care a white babies, that's what I do, along with all the cooking and the cleaning. I done raises seventeen kids in my lifetime. I know ho to get them babies to sleep, stop crying, and go to the toilet bowl before they mamas even get out a bed in the morning" (Stocket 1). She had raised children all her life and could easily take care of them. The children she raised loved her as equally as she loved them
4. Good with loaves, fishes, water and wine- Although it doesn't specify loaves, fish, water, and wine, Aibileen is a good cook and is recognized for that.
5. Known to use humble modes of transportation- Aibileen uses the bus to get close to work and then she will walk the rest of the way. She doesn't drive some fancy car to work nor does she have any personal means of transportation.
6. Often portrayed with arms outstretched- Aibileen is always hugging a person and loving them with open arms when she comes in contact with them.
7. possibly tempted- Aibileen is tempted by Skeeter to take money from her in order to help write Skeeters book.
8. Last seen in the company of thieves- At the end of the novel, Aibileen is robbed of her job because of the acts of Hilly Holbrooke. Hilly convinces Elizabeth, who is the woman Aibileen works for, that Aibileen stole some of Elizabeths silver. All knowing that Aibileen did not steal the silver, Elizabeth listens to our literary vampire and fires Aibileen.
9. Has Disciples- At first Aibileen only has one follower, Minny, who is her close friend. Minny decides to help Aibileen in telling stories of maids to help Skeeter write her book. Once more maids see that Aibileen has one follower, they decide to join in and follow Aibileen in helping Skeeter accomplish her book.
10. Very Forgiving- Even through all the wrong doings that have been brough upon her, she belives in forgiveness and believes that God say she needs to lover her enimies.