Christian Symbolism in The Matrix
Christian Symbolism in The Matrix
The Matrix is a futuristic, post-apocalyptic story of a man who struggles with the notion that he is the “One” chosen to liberate the world. Indeed, when Neo learns he is trapped in a computer controlled world where nothing is real, he must accept his fate (a concept which he does not believe in) as the savior of mankind. In the beginning of the movie Neo, a.k.a. Thomas Anderson, finally meets Morpheus, a man for whom he has been searching for quite some time. Upon their meeting, Morpheus frees Neo from the Matrix and tells him of his destiny as the “One.” Neo learns that Artificial Intelligence (AI) have taken over the world, and possess complete control over mankind. It is Neo’s destiny to free the people from the AI and lead them into a better place, the real world. Said to have come before, and believed to eventually return, Neo learns that the “One” has the power to bend the rules which have been programmed into the world he was born into, the Matrix.
As the movie progresses, the action intensifies and pulls the viewer in, however The Matrix is much more than an action-packed sci-fi thriller. After one views this film for the second and third time, he/she starts to notice a great deal of symbolism. This symbolism starts to paint a completely different picture than the images of humans battling machines. It is a religious story, with symbols deeply set in the Christian faith. The Matrix contains religious symbolism through its three main characters, Morpheus, Neo, and Trinity, in that each character solidly personifies the “Father,” the “Son,” and the “Holy Spirit” of the Christian beliefs. The Matrix uses the connections of the main characters to the Holy Trinity to parallel a belief which many people have about modern American culture: people need guidance from a higher being.
Morpheus, the leader of the rebellion is a father figure to the rest of the “free” people, thus he is compared with “the Father.” One character, Tank even makes a direct reference to this: “Morpheus, you were more than a leader to us, you were a father.” Morpheus acted as a protector and a mentor, in much the same way that a father would to his children. In Christianity, God is the Father. ...