Parse error on "<" sign.

So I’m trying to create a module but right away I get into this problem.

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '<' in /path/nsmee/system/expressionengine/libraries/Functions.php(639) : eval()'d code on line 16

the function that this error is referring to is a simple return function.

function form_container_close($container_tag = 'li')
    {
        //return $container = '</'. $container_tag . '>';
        return '<li>';
    }

the “return” line has been commented out for testing purposes but neither actually works. I get the same error. Why is EE getting this error on the “<” sign? This function is placed nicely on an activated module (which is basically a shell right now).

help!