# Christ — Poetry character guide > Christ in Poetry by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. **Role:** major **Also known as:** The tender loving Christ **First appearance:** 0001-the-soul ## Snapshot The tender loving Christ whose forgiveness lifts a bruised heart and whose presence turns a desert life into blossom, the quiet center of Harper's hope. ## Who they are He appears not as doctrine but as relief: the words thy sins are all forgiven landing like music on a soul that had grown weary with its many cares. For the mother in The Mother's Blessing, God's mercy arrives through a first-born child, a blest evangel through the gates of light and life. He matters because Harper's vision of justice is finally a vision of grace, and every cry for freedom leans on his tenderness. ## Relationships ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _psychological_ Christ is a spiritual presence or figure of faith contemplated by the narrator. ## In the story ### [The Syrophenician Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-syrophenician-woman) Initially silent and testing the woman's faith, then responds to her persistent plea. ### [That Blessed Hope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/that-blessed-hope) The narrator longs for Christ to reign and bring the crown of life. ### [The Dying Christian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-dying-christian) The dying woman places her trust in her Redeemer, resting her head upon His breast. ### [The Prodigal's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-prodigal-s-return) Implored as the Saviour to guide wayward souls home. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/vii) Referred to as the elder brother of our race and co-heir with all people. ### [Sir, We Would See Jesus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/sir-we-would-see-jesus) The central figure of the chapter, whose presence and works are longed for and celebrated. ### [The Mother’s Blessing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-mother-s-blessing) Implied as the 'blest evangel' sent through 'gates of light and life'. ### [Jesus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/jesus) Central figure of the chapter, described as having a throne of power upon a cross of shame and as the hope of glory. ### [Light in Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/light-in-darkness) Implied as the angel whose steps leave lines of living light and who brings visions of the Holy City. ### [I Thirst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/i-thirst) The second voice echoes Christ's teaching that the Word is near, within the heart. ### [Fishers of Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/fishers-of-men) The gracious Lord to whom the rescued are drawn. ### [The Martyr of Alabama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-martyr-of-alabama) The Lord for whose sake Tim Thompson refuses to dance, and whose birth is contrasted with the crime. ### [The Night of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-night-of-death) Bennie trusts in Christ as his guardian, and Christ is credited with guiding him to safety. ### [The Refiner's Gold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-refiner-s-gold) Depicted as the gentle visitor who knocks, brings gold refined by fire, heals blindness, and offers rest to the burdened. ### [Maceo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/maceo) Referenced as the cross of Christ and the living way, offering peace and redemption. ### [The Building](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-building) Christ is the cornerstone of the eternal house. ### [The Pure in Heart Shall See God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-pure-in-heart-shall-see-god) Described as the guide for the pure in heart, leading them to living founts and providing rest by His side. ### [He “Had Not Where to Lay His Head”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/he-had-not-where-to-lay-his-head) Depicted as homeless, suffering, and dying on the cross, yet embodying love for all. ### [Go Work in My Vineyard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/go-work-in-my-vineyard) The Lord who commands the work in the vineyard and whose smile brings light at eventide. ### [The Burdens of All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-burdens-of-all) Referenced as the one who suffered in Palestine and gave the precept to treat others as you wish to be treated. ### [Christ’s Entry Into Jerusalem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/christ-s-entry-into-jerusalem) Christ enters Jerusalem hailed as a victor, aware of the coming crucifixion but seeing the joy and redemption beyond the suffering. ### [The Resurrection of Jesus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-resurrection-of-jesus) Jesus is crucified, buried, and resurrected. He appears first to Mary, then to the disciples, bringing comfort and commissioning them. ### [Simon's Countrymen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/simon-s-countrymen) Christ is depicted as the suffering servant, crowned with thorns and burdened by the cross, whose sacrifice is central to the chapter's call for justice. ### [Deliverance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/deliverance) Invoked as the model for going forth in the name of freedom, love, and life. ### [Simon's Feast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/simon-s-feast) The prophet of Galilee, guest at Simon's feast, who shows mercy and forgives the penitent woman. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/characters/christ - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_7_se/characters