comment-As if it had been a Christian soul-1 As if it had been a Christian soul

The linkage of the bird to christ opens up many doors in the analysis of the poem. This connection of a possessed sailor and religious connotations also cannot stop making me think of an incident in Moby Dick (the specifics are a bit hazy), which also involves a bird and an omen. Whatever the case, I think it is important that when the Mariner perceives beauty with the water snakes, and his joy gushes from his heart, that the albatross falls from his neck to sink into the water like lead. Despite having his sin taint his life with a bad omen, the Mariner manages to partially redeem himself. I think the positive energy of the redemption is equally as important as the fall from sin.