Superheroes have remained some of the most popular figures throughout American culture in the 20th and 21st centuries. It seems we cannot go a year without a new Batman, X-Men, Superman, Iron man or Captain America movie coming out. But what is it about superheroes that hold America’s attention? Jeffrey Lang and Patrick Trimble argue in their article “What Happened to the Man of Tomorrow” that the reason superheroes have remained relevant is because of their connection to the American monomyth. Lang states that there is an overall monomyth, but also a distinctly American one that focuses on “a selfless hero emerging to renounce temptations and carry out the redemptive task” and that “his decisive victory restores the community” (Lang 158). …show more content…
By observing the things that popular superheroes stand for, it is possible to understand what the average American believes and values. This is also true because superheroes are a distinctly American phenomenon. Lang and Trimble say that “cultures choose heroes as an indication of their national character” and that earlier in history “America created monomythic heroes that best personified the way Americans wished to see themselves” (Lang 159). The superheroes of today are popular for the same reasons as the heroes of the past. They are popular because they are symbols for the things that America as a whole believes. For example, two of the most popular superheroes right now are Iron Man and Captain America. Both have appeared in multiple movies over the last five years. The man behind the Iron Man suit is Tony Stark, who is a wealthy celebrity that gained his money through weapon sales, but had a change of heart and now focuses on clean energy. He is very flashy and cocky, and is not afraid to show off his billions of dollars. This description has two major parallels in current American culture. The first is the obvious connection between the public’s obsession with Tony Stark and the public’s obsession with real celebrities like the Kardashian family. The public likes Tony Stark for the very same reasons they like any real life celebrity- …show more content…
Superheroes have mimicked the changes in values over time. However, the changes that the superheroes undergo are indicative of larger changes in the American monomyth. In their article, Lang and Trimble say that when Superman was created, he was “…the embodiment of all the values Americans cherished in the 1930s. For Superman, truth was not an abstract concept but the blueprint for action. Superman never lies. He represents individual dignity and moral integrity while believing in justice for all, rich and poor, strong and weak” (Lang 160). Superman was the ultimate symbol of what America valued at the time he was first published. This hero is in sharp contrast to another famous superhero, Spiderman, who was introduced in the 1960s in a time when America was in the midst of the Cold War and had a much bleaker outlook that directly following World War Two. Lang and Trimble argue that Spiderman is very different than Superman, in that “frequently Spiderman wishes that someone else would assume the role of being society’s protector, and talks about giving up the superhero role” (Lang 160). The article says that the reason for the difference in these two heroes has to do with the changes in the American monomyth between the 1930s and the 1960s. In the 30s in the midst of the depression, many people were suffering, but still believed in the future and their ability to make
In this article, “Why We Love TV’s Anti-heroes,” the author Stephen Garrett argues that in today’s society our whole perspective of heroes has changed since the mid-twentieth century. Garrett is appealing to all American’s who love watching their favorite TV heroes and heroines. In addition, Garrett’s main focus is the fact today’s heroes entirely different from what the idea of a “hero” was two or three decades ago. The author relies on generally accepted ideas from the American public to base his main idea; he uses sources from popular TV shows and movies which have anti-heroes that draw the attention of their audience.
Some people cheer superheroes while the law hunts others as criminals, but both kinds of heroes have the same goals: a better world. So, what makes them different? Superman, Flash, and Captain America are all viewed as great heroes who consistently save lives and there are those such as Batman, Green Arrow, or Daredevil. This latter group is often considered by law enforcement as a threat as bad as the evildoers the heroes battle. Why is this?The answer is rather simple and is found in two concepts: proactive and reactive.
Writer and lecturer, Joseph Campbell once said; “A hero is someone who has give his or her life to something bigger than oneself”. In addition to this quote, the significance of heroes in this modern society is growing, but these heroes exemplify various traits that are bold and noticeable. In fact, heroes portray simple, yet gallant traits that most things don’t have. Accordingly, today’s inspirations are highly unique, and they deliver ideals of courage and motivation to many. First and foremost, heroes have a determined mindset that ordinary people do not have.
The late 1970’s epitomized a time of national trouble that stemmed from the Vietnam War, the American-Iranian Hostage crisis and domestic economic strife, undermined long-held American cultural principles embodied in heroines such as “superman” as a representation of masculinity, America as the “good guys” and the American Dream. As a result, these Idealistic dreams of were torn out of American hearts and replaced by more practical, logical “modern” principles reflected in the 1980’s which embraced the modern principles of materialism, consumerism, blockbuster movies and cable TV as an essential part of contemporary American culture. This era of change with heroines being replaced by their logical, “modern” counterparts, anti-heroes as relatable
Americans love those people who are greatly skilled and are unique in their abilities—similar to the motto in the Olympics: Swifter, Higher, Stronger. Whether it’s speaking better than others, winning the Super Bowl, or in the case of Brent Musberger, acknowledging a beautiful woman fifty years younger than himself, we admire those who have superb abilities. William Rhoden acknowledged this idea in his October 12, 2012 New York Times article when he wrote that it is the essence of a hero to be, “unique and therefore inimitable.” And it is this slippery slope in which we surrender our self-respect for our self-interest in those who have talents that we can only desire.
Super heroes and mythological characters in stories inspire us to be our better selves in various ways. One way super heroes and mythological characters inspire us to be our better selves is to help and save others. In the article “Into the Maze of Doom.” It says, “I cannot flee. I must kill the Minotaur or more young Athenians will die”.
Gifted with incredible endurance and super strength, the ability of flight, and an impeccable moral compass, Superman is the quintessential superhero that Americans of all ages have admired and looked up to since his conception in 1938. In Brad Bird’s 1999 feature animation The Iron Giant, the fifty-foot metal protagonist is no exception. Hiding out in a barn, he peers at an issue of the Superman comic book like an amused child with his eyes wide and mouth agape. His closest human companion, nine-year old Hogarth, sits before the giant and explains to him, “Sure, he’s famous now, but he started off just like you! Crash landed on Earth…he only uses his powers for good, never for evil.”
Superman and Beowulf express different timeless values and universal themes. Timeless values are the values a certain person or hero has. Universal themes transmit the overall message of a story,film or play. The hero and warrior Beowulf shows the timeless value of courage because he defeats Grendel in order to avenge those innocent people killed by the monster, and since Grendel was very strong it would take courage from any hero to confront him. On the other hand, superman shows more the timeless value of honor, because he is looked upon as a god and the majority of humans respect him.
Christopher Reeve, an American actor, is well known for his role in the 1st through 4th Superman movies. He played the well-known role of the main character Clark Kent, an ordinary boy sent from his destroyed planet to Earth. Whilst on Earth he discovers that he is different and learns about his superpowers and fights evil in the Metropolis. Because of his role Reeve learnt a lot about heroes and their lives. Knowing this he said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
Studying superheroes teach you about the liberally educated qualities listed by Cronon, and studying superheroes individually teach you the key virtues of connecting: selflessness, bravery and perseverance. In the end, to be able to learn, grow, and aid your community, you just need to connect with others. Connecting is what makes societies, superheroes, and liberally educated people come together and from a strong
One prime example of this difference is that Beowulf is an honorable man, but is presented as boastful, arrogant and merciless to all foes. Superman on the other hand, is presented as an honorable and humble man that shows mercy even to the hordes of enemies challenging Earth. Even the beginning to their journeys are different, Superman is shown growing up along with his back story being loosely explained, but Beowulf
Most people believe that heroes are born, but others believe that a hero can be made. There are many different types of heroes from night-time vigilantes, to the typical super powered ones. The beginning of every hero’s journey and development come the very calling or reason for the person to become the hero. In the 1933 Nazi Book Burning Party, many witnesses helplessly stood by and watched savage Nazi soldiers burn precious and beloved Jewish literature before their very eyes.
Superman, Wonder Woman, Hulk, Spiderman, are all perfect examples of the best superhero. Although not all superheroes live an undercover lifestyle when they are not saving the world, having two separate identities is a common theme among superheroes. For example, Superman, a fictional hero who appears in DC comic books and movies, goes by the name
Superheros are Lit/Superheros Characteristics When I was 10 years old I really got into superheros when I saw Batman begins for the first time I loved the fact that Batman went through so much training to become a hero to find who killed his parents and Batman was a billionaire who wanted to help his city come back to the way it was before his parents died. The best superheroes have certain traits that make them unique from other superheroes for example superheroes have some sort of power or have a great story line also they have double lives keeping two identities. Some superheroes have superpowers and some do not, but some of the best superheroes have powers such as the Flash, Superman and Deadpool. Flash is a superhero who has the ability to run as fast as the speed of light this makes him a great superhero because he has to learn to live with his powers and keep his powers out of his real life and not let anyone know he's the Flash. Deadpool has the ability to regrow body parts this makes him a great hero because he does not care for his powers he wants to get rid of them, but he acts like a villain, but is a hero so he adds comedy to his character which allows people to connect with him more.
The real-life heroes of World War II could not get enough of the comics about Captain America and his sidekick, Bucky or about Captain Marvel, all of whom continued to provide them with a new perspective on what they were fighting for. Comics helped inspire them, but also distracted them from the fear that they felt on an almost daily basis. No amount of justice, truth, or strength could ever eliminate fear. The fear of dying a cold lonely death in a mud hole in a faraway country, fear of leaving a family behind in America without anyone to provide for them now, and fear of