Baptism in Bioshock Infinite

While Bioshock Infinite came out a few months ago, I recently rewatched the ending, which prompted me to think about the subject of this post. Of course, there are going to be devastating spoilers in this post, so do not read on if you've not finished the game!

If you could not tell, baptism is a big deal in Bioshock Infinite and a recurring theme throughout the game. In order to enter Columbia, Booker Dewitt must be baptized, leading him to remark that the priest needed to learn the difference between baptizing and drowning, foreshadowing for the end of the game.

But that is not what this post is about, not really. I wanted to discuss the interesting idea that a baptism can create two different selves, even though the idea of a baptism (at least, later in life) is to erase sins and, in the game, to erase Booker's past.

After Wounded Knee, Booker feels as though he has sinned so much that he may never be forgiven for what he did, so he decides to get baptized. The Booker that agrees to the baptism becomes Comstock, who makes it his life mission to create a "sinless" city above the clouds, as close to heaven as one could get, where he teaches people the alleged "word of the Lord" and punishes those who sin.

The Booker that does not agree to a baptism remains feeling sinful for his entire life but has a daughter.

Right up to the point of the baptism, there is one Booker. Once he goes through with it, he creates two identities and many different men in many different worlds, as seen by the multiple Elizabeths at the end of the game. At the end of the game, it seems like Booker is about to be baptized again, instead he finds out two identities resulted from his original baptism. In order to destroy the evil Comstock, Booker has to be smothered in the cradle, as it were. It seems like he is going to be baptized but, instead, three Elizabeths hold him down until he drowns, effectively "smothering" him. All other Bookers disappear, as is apparent by all of the Elizabeths, aside from one, the one we see after the credits.

A side note: The only thing I'm still not able to make sense of is what happens to the final Elizabeth. With one Booker left, it seems like she should not exist, especially since we hear baby Anna crying in the epilogue.

I think it was an interesting take on baptism, certainly a unique one, which is fitting for a pretty unique game. I would highly recommend it. I may eventually do a write up on it. Very, very fascinating stuff.

Afterthought: I rewatched the scene one more time and it's interesting to know that the Elizabeth who comes to the baptism with Booker is not the same Elizabeth. Booker's dialogue hints as much. It still does not answer why she remains there after the others disappear, but it is interesting to know that Booker's Elizabeth is gone when he enters the area.