The+Prodigal+Son

**Scripture passage from Luke 15:**
[** 11 **] And he said, A certain man had two sons: [** 12 **] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. [** 13 **] And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. [** 14 **] And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. [** 15 **] And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. [** 16 **] And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. [** 17 **] And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! [** 18 **] I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, [** 19 **] And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. [** 20 **] And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. [** 21 **] And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. [** 22 **] But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: [** 23 **] And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: [** 24 **] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. [** 25 **] Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. [** 26 **] And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. [** 27 **] And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. [** 28 **] And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. [** 29 **] And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: [** 30 **] But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. [** 31 **] And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. [** 32 **] It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.



The parable of the Prodigal Son starts out with three characters:a father and his two sons. His younger son asks him father to split up the inheritance and receives a portion of it. He goes to a far way land and spends it all in "riotous" and sinful living. Eventually, all of his money either spent or gambled away, the prodigal son is forced to descend to the lowly position of feeding swine. After a time, he realizes that he could get much better care working for his father, and thus returns. When his father sees him, he is not angry or dissappointed. Instead, he is overjoyed at the return of his son. He orders for a large feast to be held in order to celebrate the return of his beloved son whom he had assumed had been lost forever. Meanwhile, the elder brother sees this celebration being held and asks his father why //he// did not deserve a banquet...after all, he had lived honorably, as opposed to his sinful brother. His father replies that while he is proud of the righteousness of his elder son, he is overjoyed that his younger son has forsaken his evil lifestyle and returned back to him.
 * Summary:**

**Place in Literature:**
__Great Expectations__ by Charles Dickins depends heavily upon "The Prodigal Son". The main character of the story is about Pip, an orphan, who lives with his sister and her husband. At a young age he stole food and a file for an escaped convict, who is caught shortly after. He begins to spend time with a bitter woman who was left at the alter and her adopted daughter, Estella. Pip is convinced that he will marry Estella and he puts all of his effort into bettering himself with education. When he enters an apprenticeship with his brother in law he feels that the work is below him, unknown to him though his apprenticeship has caused a lot of tension at his brother and laws business. A dissatisfied employee nearly kills his sister because of his anger. Around this time Pip is given a large amount of money that come from an anonymous source. He leaves his family and friends behind to join High Society. He later finds out that the money comes from the convict he helped when he was little. Even with his money Estella is married off to someone else. Pip then racks up a massive amount of debt, which an old friend from childhood helps him payoff. This makes him realize that he has acted horribly towards his family and friends. He then travels over seas with his old friend and starts a new business. When he comes back to England Estella's husband has died and he begins to spend time with her again.

"But, it was only the pleasanter to turn to Biddy and to Joe, whose great forbearance shone more brightly than before, if that could be, contrasted with this brazen pretender. I went towards them slowly, for my limbs were weak, but with a sense of increasing relief as I drew nearer to them, and a sense of leaving arrogance and untruthfulness further and further behind."

Charles Dickin's __Great Expectations__ mirrors "The Prodigal Son." This passage takes place when Pip is returning to the friends he shunned when he received his money. He is leaving behind his rash way of life and returning to those who actually care for him. This is like the Prodigal Son who returns to his family's farm after taking his father's money and living in the city. Another common theme between the two stories is the realization both characters have that there is more important things in life than money, and that having people who love and care for them is far more fulfilling than great wealth.



Themes
In an allusion, the themes of the story being referred to may apply to the text you are currently reading. Here's some from the Prodigal Son.


 * Because the son had the freedom to spend a lot of money, it went to his head and he actually ended up getting out of control! This just led him to having less freedom than ever before.
 * To apologize for something you've done wrong is always a better idea than living wtih your current issues, as the Prodigal Son learns.
 * Forgiveness is more constructive than holding a grudge (the father is happy to see his son, while the older brother holds a stupid grudge even though he got his younger brother back).
 * Despite past wrongs, it is possible to return to a previous and better way of life if the bad way of life is forsaken.

**Tipoffs:**
When you see some of these things, it may mean that there's an allusion to the Prodigal Son!
 * the word "prodigal"
 * sibling rivalry
 * brothers/siblings (especially 2, younger and older)
 * inheritances
 * squandering/wasting wealth
 * abandonment of family values
 * famine
 * bad lifestyle choices
 * acts of compassion and forgiveness
 * pigs/taking care of pigs
 * a character going from "riches to rags"
 * family
 * reunions wtih loved ones
 * someone lost and then found again