What does Superman Symbolize?
A sign of hope?
As I dug deeper into my research, not only looking at the effects of Superman but I also looked at the different things that Superman symbolizes. I found an online paper submitted by a student at Syracuse University about the effects of Superhero media towards the nation’s attitudes. I found this source very interesting. The author, Mr. Aiden Bryant, writes his composition focusing on why superheroes were created during times of national stress, hoping to reinstall hope in Americans. This in itself is a symbol. The author notes that, “in the 1940’s Superman battled the Nazi’s (Bryant).” This helped many Americans, especially children become more secure about their country and install patriotism even if we were at war. Superman is not the only Superhero that has helped in times of national stress. For example, Captain America was also a symbol of hope and helped change public opinion during the involvement in Europe (Bryant). This example is one of the many types of symbolism related to Superman and Superheroes in American culture.
IS Superman a paralell of Jesus?
The second symbol I would like to talk about is how Superman is a Christ-like symbol. In a journal that I came across during research, author Anton Kozlovic writes different parallels that Superman and Jesus have in common:
"Superman was an alien immigrant, and like a diaspora Jew, he was forced to leave his starry home (a threatened Krypton) to find a new life amongst strangers in a strange land (Earth). Later, he would again leave his home (Smallville) to live in the Arctic wilderness (ensconced inside the Fortress of Solitude). And then for a third time he would leave his Arctic home to live in a bustling urban city (Metropolis) going about his heavenly Father's (Jor-El's) work. Likewise, Jesus left his celestial home in the heavens to come to the Earth realm. Later, he left his rural home Nazareth (an ancient Smallville) to wander through desert wildernesses, followed by missionary work throughout the Roman-dominated world while doing his heavenly Father's (Yahweh's) work." (Kozlovic)
This quote explains how both Superman and Jesus were put on Earth in order to help others. Both of these universal icons traveled in a similar fashion traveling from a rural area to a city under the guidance of some sort of higher power.
I found these two symbols very interesting. Before researching what Superman symbolizes, I had no idea that he was symbolizing Christ or a symbol of hope during wartime in America. Now, I believe I have a better understanding of why he may have such a huge impact on society during war and peace.
I found these two symbols very interesting. Before researching what Superman symbolizes, I had no idea that he was symbolizing Christ or a symbol of hope during wartime in America. Now, I believe I have a better understanding of why he may have such a huge impact on society during war and peace.
Superman or Jesus? Do you see the Symbolism?
Sources:
Bryant,
Aiden. “Effects of Superhero Media on Nationalistic Attitudes.” Acedemia.
Acedemia,n.d. Web. 13 March 2014.
Kozlovic, Anton Karl. “Superman as Christ-Figure: The American Pop Culture Movie Messiah.” Journal of Religion and
Film 6.1 (2002): Web. 3 March 2014.
Kozlovic, Anton Karl. “Superman as Christ-Figure: The American Pop Culture Movie Messiah.” Journal of Religion and
Film 6.1 (2002): Web. 3 March 2014.