# Christ — Essays character guide

> Christ in Essays by Henry David Thoreau.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0021-on-the-duty-of-civil-disobedience

## Who they are

Central figure of Christianity; invoked as moral exemplar.

## In the story

### [Life Without Principle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/life-without-principle)

Quoted via the poet Decker as 'the first true gentleman that ever breathed,' used to contrast true gentility with mere manners.

### [A Plea for Captain John Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/a-plea-for-captain-john-brown)

Invoked as a parallel to Brown's martyrdom; Thoreau compares Brown's hanging to the crucifixion, suggesting a chain of righteous sacrifice.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters/christ
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters