joe christmas

Not really, they are both elusivr figures, although it is said that Joe Christmas' life parallels that of Jesus, and that in studying the character his death makes him a martyr. This would be hard to believe; Joe's life is filled with violence, and he is definitely not what I would consider a martyr.

Hightower lives in a world of guilt and disappointment. He succeeds in recovering the things he's lost; pride, dignity, ect,. I believe that Hightower's ability to recover and rise above his circumstances leave him "better off" than Joe. Joe really never had a prayer, but his character is definitely my favorite in the novel.