Written Analysis 5

                                                  

                                                  Written Analysis 5

Melissa Tucker

Popular Culture

Professor Whitney Iles

Aug 7, 2014

Introduction

            For this weeks analysis, we will be discussing how the various theories and different analysis have best related to the topic of the superhero be the hero true life or fictionally speaking such as the heroes from our favorite movies and/or comics.

Which theories seemed to best relate to your popular culture topic?

            While we went over this in depth in my first analysis, I do feel that this one is worth reiterating. The Myth theory is one that comes up time and time again in our culture, and I feel that it does because we have passed into a new millennium and we feel that most stories are “mythical”.  The myth that was discussed in my first analysis was the myth of the “American Dream”. I was watching a new report the other day and I noticed that in places like China and India, there is a rise in more and more people coming into the “middle class”. People are making more money as their economies are doing better so they feel that the myth of the “American dream” should be theirs. They want the two story house in suburbia, with the two cars in the driveway and the two point whatever kids and the white picket fence, everything that the “Americans” have. The irony of all this though, as that while the middle class may be doing better in other parts of the world, back at home, the middle class continues to struggle. This is true with the superhero. Many people in other countries see “Captain America” as the epitome of all that Americans stand for. Justice, truth, and the belief that all people should be free of tyranny. However this myth in more recent years has become more and more disillusioned by many Middle Eastern cultures and is seen as a lie. It is all perspective. I once read in a favorite book of mine that “evil is a point of view”. And ever since I read that line, I think of it at least once a day. I think about it when I watch the news, I think about it when I watch movies or TV shows. And I think that the reason I believe this statement to be true is because it is true. We may see “Red Skull”, (the villain in Captain America) as evil, but to look at things from his point of view, we are the evil ones.

What were the most interesting findings from your analyzes?

            I would have to say the most interesting things I came across while delving into my analysis over these last few weeks is that fact that we really reflect ourselves in our heroes. I knew we did that to some extent but I really never realized how much we really put what we want, (our values, our strengths) into our superheroes. Deep down we all want to be good people and do the right thing but in the end we are all human. We have human emotions. “To err is human” right? But the superhero can do no wrong (for the most part) and even when they do mess up, they are able to fix their own mistakes in such spectacular fashion that it almost makes the mess up worth it in the end. The bad is exposed and the wrongs have been righted. But the irony of this is that even with all the super powers and the incredible wealth and power that these characters have, they still all seem like they are missing something in their lives. Be it romance, peace with family or just longing for a more simplistic life, they all have something missing. And I think that one thing is being human. We all have heard the phrase “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence”. Sometimes though, it’s best to just sick back, drink a beer and enjoy your horrible dried up brown grass and be happy that we even have a yard to call our own.

How will you think of your popular culture topic differently based on your analysis?

            I think that the superhero will always hold a special place in my heart. Growing up I read many comics and one summer I remember spending almost all the money I made from mowing lawns at the local comic shop. It was worth it in the end because I had some amazing “friends” to read up on all summer and also I made some good real life friends at the comic store as we would talk geek to each other all summer at the park while reading our favorite comics under the shade of a tree. I think it’s important, especially for children, to have good solid role models. A foundation if you will to show them how life should be. The superhero can show them that it is good to have compassion, morals, and values, and to try to do the right thing even if that is not always the most popular thing. The only thing I would view differently about the superhero, (and I chalk this up to being an adult pure and simple) is that sometimes, that’s not reality. But, it’s good to hope. And sometimes, hope is all we have and all we need.