The Novel Brotherman as very Symbolic, Agree or Disagree

The Novel Brotherman was very symbolic - Agree

According to the Oxford dictionary, a symbol is whatever represents something else. To quote, it says '1. thing that represents something else . 2. A character with a fixed meaning.' Within the novel Brotherman, there are several evident pin-points to the story of Jesus Christ, an exceptional being, holy beyond all other and claimed as the Son of God. His story is a popular one; born into humble beginnings, growing up in a religious but poor community; grown to become a strong young man that is looked up to in every aspect, and looked down upon for the same; eventually betrayed to sad extremes by those close.
This piece of Jamaican literature first establishes the most evident signs of his symbol through the gossip of the people in the lane, he was held up as a prophet and sometimes was a topic of controversy. He was never violent or frustrated but excercised exceptional self control and understanding. He became known as a healer to the people and persons even began to claim that once you touch that which he touched, one would be healed. He even had a 'follower' Minette, who worshipped the ground he walked upon. Similarly, in the story of Jesus, he was talked about frequently and was a topic of controversy. He was a healer and just by crossing his shadow, people were healed. This man held steadfastly to his faith in God but was only lead to the worst form of betrayal.
Judas Escariot was a friend of Jesus' who followed, prayed and ate with him. Greed and envy started to tempt him and he became changed into a different person, lead blindly by ignorant hatred into want. The same was seen in Cordelia's situation; a good woman suddenly overcome by the negatives of her situation and eventually lead blindly by hatred into want. As Judas Escariot became known as the betrayer for the great injustice he did to Jesus, so does Cordelia commit the unthinkable to a man he had once called upon to pray for her child.
After such a development, another point is the sudden change from the crowd of people who once followed Jesus around to hear his teachings and wise words in times of trouble and dissettlement, the man worthy of praises and blessings, had become a crowd so full of directed hatred. It was non-sensical and the same fate befell Brotherman. He was wanted for his wisdom, prayers and healing followed around the village as the man worthy of many thanks and too much generosity, then the people turned against him in a split second. They casted rocks even at the helpless people who went to help him, he was teased, abused and hurt, the same fate that fell upon Jesus.
There were many other instances within the novel that can be directly linked to the story of Jesus. This was not coincidential. There will be differences in characters for the purpose of the book being original and also to incorporate other good characters that the world has known and rejected. The author thought of using more modern symbols through characters to bring across the story as it would be more relative to his people. In any piece of literature, the author bases characters on something real and live in their experiences. Therefore, any character in a fictional narrative, is a symbol. Brotherman is a very symbolic piece of literature.