Redemption via attachment

In the arts, it is common for producers, artists, and authors to create a character who redeems another character, or possibly an entire society. These Christ figures are willing to give up their own lives by taking someone else’s punishment upon them. They are willing to suffer because of the attachment they have created with the other character who they sacrifice themselves for. Out of love and compassion they would rather suffer themselves than see their loved one suffering. This is the ultimate level of attachment.

In Patricia Riggen’s  film, Bajo La Misma Luna, Enrique saves Carlitos by throwing his coffee at the police. Although this ensures Enrique’s capture, it gives Carlitos the opportunity to run away and ultimately find his mother. Enrique knows that one of them will be captured, tortured, interrogated, and deported, but he does not want it to be Carlitos.

Similarly, in the Hunger Games, Katniss is willing to take her sister Prim’s place as the District 12’s tribute because she loves Prim and desires to protect her. When Prim’s name is chosen Katniss immediately declares, “I volunteer as tribute!” (Collins, The Hunger Games). Katniss knows that she will probably die, but is willing to offer her own life in exchange for Prim’s.

Although both of these characters suffer immensely from the sacrifice they make, they offer redemption and protection to the other characters that they love, Prim and Carlitos. Without the sacrifice of Enrique Carlitos would have been deported to Mexico, and if Katniss had not volunteered Prim would have been forced to participate in the Hunger Games and surely would have been killed.

When these characters give up their lives on behalf of their loved one’s they become the heroes of these films. Perhaps many authors and screenwriters choose to include a character who offers redemption to another in their works to illustrate the power of a secure attachment. Humans rely on attachment; they need to be loved nurtured and cared for. When their attachment with another person is completely secure they are willing to do anything for them—even give their own life.