By Maria Cortes
I have a theory that the financial aid line might be a portal to Hell. If you’ve never been I strongly suggest you keep it that way.
I have a theory that the financial aid line might be a portal to Hell. If you’ve never been I strongly suggest you keep it that way.
There is one upside to it; you get to hear the best conversations. When I walked in last Tuesday, I was lucky enough to stand behind two incredibly enthusiastic guys having a very loud and very intense argument about one of my favorite movies, “Kill Bill Vol. II.” Being the nosey person that I am, I couldn’t help but listen in.
They were arguing about a quote. A very specific quote said by Bill, played by David Carradine, where he explains his love for comic book superheroes, specifically Superman.
“Superman didn’t become Superman. Superman was born Superman…His alter ego is Clark Kent…Clark Kent is how Superman views us. And what are the characteristics of Clark Kent? He’s weak…Clark Kent is Superman’s critique on the whole human race.” Those were the words spoken and sparked the argument.
Who could forget the epic line, “It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman!” Of course it’s Superman. Who else could possibly defend the weak and frightened people of Metropolis? Who else could continuously save their skins from the peril that they apparently always find themselves in? The man with the S on his chest, of course!
And it’s true, when Superman isn’t Superman he’s Clark Kent. He becomes that shy guy at the corner of the office hidden behind glasses and an ordinary tie. Kent is weak and subservient, far from his extraordinary counterpart.
The official Clark Kent Wikipedia page says, “To deflect suspicion that he is Superman, Clark Kent adopted a largely passive and introverted personality with conservative mannerisms, a higher-pitched voice and a slight slouch."
Superman’s mission in life is to save the people of Metropolis from muggers, train crashes and gross spiders maliciously scaring young woman because they can’t protect themselves from anything. Clark Kent’s mission in life is too…make photocopies? No, be the best darn reporter the Daily Planet has ever seen!
Clark Kent is an alter ego. Unlike Bruce Wayne and Peter Parker who turn into Batman and Spiderman, Superman turns into Clark Kent. The glasses and tie are his disguise. Now let’s ask ourselves, is this how a superhero really sees us? Better yet, is that how Superman sees us?
We are weak, mild mannered and slightly slouchy creatures that need to be protected from the horrendous and dangerous lives we lead. As small human beings that need to be protected by someone stronger and braver than ourselves. We obviously need to be watched over day and night. We can’t fly, so we can die.
As a living, breathing, particularly ordinary human being, I find myself rather insulted. Just because I can’t fly or bench press a semi-truck doesn’t make me incapable of protecting myself against a mugger. We humans are proactive creatures with defense mechanisms hardwired into our brains just in case some sadistic psycho comes plowing through our windows at 3 am. I’m sure that the city of Metropolis would be missing a substantial amount of citizens if it hadn’t been for Superman, but really, isn’t that what the police are there for?
What about those superheroes who don’t have powers at all? The obvious choice would have to be the Dark Knight himself, Batman. Bruce Wayne is a flesh and blood, teeth and bone, capable-of-death citizen of Gotham City, making Batman the exact same thing. Sure Batman may not be able to stop a speeding bullet with a flex of his rippling pectorals, but he’s damn well capable of protecting the people of his city.
Let’s compare and contrast the two. Superman is Clark Kent. Bruce Wayne is Batman. Superman is the epitome of heroisms, while Clark Kent is often described as regular and shy, lacking any serious outstanding characteristics. Bruce Wayne is an educated, skilled and wealthy businessman in charge of Wayne Enterprises. When he becomes Batman he uses his skills as a regular human being to fight crime and bring an end to corruption.
Notice the difference? Bruce Wayne is powerful and respected with or without the costume. As soon as Superman puts on his red cape he becomes a better version of his lowly human alter ego. He is faster, stronger, better in every way, shape and form.
Are Superman’s intentions for saving Metropolis even considered honorable? “I am going to save these people because they are too small and docile to defend themselves.” If my memory serves me correct there were other historical figures that viewed themselves as far more superior than their civilian counterparts.
They were called dictators. Individuals who thought they were Adonis’s and had the right to rule over their far more unintelligent subjects. These men woke up every morning and felt as if they already knew what was better for us than we did, because they had more money, more political control, a microphone…a cape. Would this make Superman an unknowing dictator? I’ll let you figure that one out for yourselves.
Is it right to allow ourselves to be treated like defenseless ants by a caped/masked figure of justice? George Orwell’s novel 1984 perceive this hero as, “ubiquitous and repressive but apparently benevolent authority.” Sounds a lot like Big Brother Syndrome, doesn’t it? I think it’s time someone walks up to Superman and shows him what humans are actually capable of doing.
Has he ever seen a wrestling match? Let us all sit in anticipation as we wait for his jaw to drop. Maybe he should take Human 101 and perfect his “Regular Joe” façade into someone a little less likely to cry under extreme pressure. If he gets lucky Bruce Wayne can be his professor. It’s a movie waiting to happen.
