The Personality of Superman - Essay Example

Superman 2007 Masculinity construct builds on the opposition between what is "feminine" and what is “masculine.” "Feminine" traits are associated with softness, weakness, passiveness in contrast to masculine features of being hard, strong, active. Masculinity stereotypes are reflected in different genres. In this paper we view Superman stereotype and how his image contributes to the social perception of masculinity. The popularity of Superman and other related phenomena suggest that the films about superheroes “highlight the issue of manhood, an expression of abstract ideals or even as a prescriptive model for the young.” (Weltzien, 2005 p.230) Superman constructs a certain role model of manliness reflecting popular 20th century concepts of masculinity. The most attractive feature in Superman figure is that he can transform from his superhero image to “the mediocre man of flesh and blood” which serves the mask to his extraordinary abilities. The personality of Superman is split. He has a private life which has nothing to do with his public heroism. In everyday life Superman is Clark Kent, ordinary journalist, clumsy and soft. The contrast between two identities is maximized to emphasise masculinity features. The dual identity of the hero from the launch of Superman series became a formula of masculine image. On one hand the superhero has body which is vividly masculine as well as the confidence and power which suggest of the ideal of man, on the other hand he is soft, powerless, unconfident representing a feminized man. Superhero images have always blended masculinity with muscles. The most obvious external signifier of masculinity has been the male body. Male body images reflect all the conventions related with male superiority. Muscles symbolizing masculine physical strength serve as a code for sexual difference. The muscular body is clear sign of masculine power. (Brown, 1999 p.25) Muscles are associated with masculinity so strongly that women like professional body builders who exhibit ‘noticeable muscularity’ are accused in manliness while men who lack muscular power are criticized for being too feminine. The contrast of two identities of the hero plays an important role in shaping masculinity image. That makes Superman a masculine ideal of 20th century. Superman possesses exceptional qualities like flying, gliding on air currents, seeing through walls. He gets more and more powers equalling to God. Besides, he is a defender of truth with exceptional feeling of justice and handsome looks. Clark Kent is an ordinary man – shy, clumsy, unsure possessing the features which are attributed to women. Superman embodies everything which is prized in men, while Clark is a reflection of an ordinary man with traditional feminine qualities. Brown writes (1999): “… myth of idealized masculinity which is still incredibly pervasive remains dependent upon the symbolic split between masculinity and femininity, between the hard male and the soft Other.” (p.30) Superman dual identity is not a unique attribute of this hero. The archetype of an ordinary man turning into a hero is employed in other superhero images - Peter Parker - Spider-man, Bruce Wayne becomes Batman, David Banner transforms into the monstrous Hulk, Billy Batson becomes Captain Marvel, Steve Rogers becomes the invincible Captain America. All these heroes are variations of “wimp/warrior theme of duality.” (Brown, 1999 p.32) Thus this contract makes a demarcation line between feminine and masculine features. It produces social stereotype of what is to be man and woman, thus servicing a model for a younger generation. Superhero image has always been a fantasy of young men, representing vivid example of the hypermasculine ideal. The mechanism of masculinity rests on double identity which is signified in different costumes: clumsy, insecure journalist and the hero with amazing powers and “the ability to change between both identities at will.” The metamorphosis taking place in seconds and exhibiting dynamic performance also suggests of masculinity. (Weltzien, 2005 p.232) The costume of the superhero helps to construct masculinity. Weltzien (2005) agrees that “dress is also an “important resource in defining gender as a social dimension.” (p.232) As dressing changes the man it serves a model of gender construction. A person can be recreated by a dress change. Dress serves as important tool to build up the image of a person. In case of superman the changing of dress is a performance of masculinity. Superman is his hero suit with the triangular "S" instead of hairy chest excludes the perception of the superman as a "real man" of flesh and blood. Superheroes “split masculinity into two distinct camps” – the ideal to be aspired to and real man with his deficiencies. Clark Kent serves to emphasize the masculine ideal of Superman and “reinforce the readers fantasy of self-transformation.” (Brown, 1999 p.33) The costumes of the coexisting identities of the hero are as contrasting as their owners. Grey suit, a white shirt, and a tie are Clark Kent’s attire. His glasses suggest of physical deficiency. The Superman costume is eye-catching with bright colours and the giant badge on the chest. Costume plays the same role as an outfit of warriors and sportsmen which emphasize masculinity. The superhero costume includes the features of historical costume of warriors referring to “classic domain of heroic manhood.” The form of superhero costume mixtures “antique, medieval, Renaissance, and modern elements of specific manly forms of dress” evoking masquerade. (Weltzien, 2005 p.233) The change between costume and casual wear by the superman represents historical heroism when changing dress as a presentation of masculinity comes in the context of a fight. Manliness is associated with the virtues of the warrior. Putting a mask or a costume is like armoring of knights or other pre-fight rituals in different cultures. Thus masquerade is of a male ability to fight and defend his borders both material and moral. (Weltzien, 2005 p.233) The ideal masculinity in the Superman is not defined only by one costume or the other but by his ability “to change the role at will according to specific situations.” Masculinity as exhibited in superhero genre reflects on pubertal problem of becoming a man. The act of changing costume constructs model of dynamic masculinity. Superman stereotype as an ideal man is already firmly imbedded within Western society. He is strong, handsome possessing extraordinary abilities and moral values. He is a fighter for truth and justice and one can save the world. His masculinity exhibits in his dual identity. On one hand he is an ordinary man with his deficiencies, on the other he owns superpowers after metamorphosis of his looks. Such duality of the character reinforces the ideal of masculinity which Superman embodies. The change between costume and casual wear is also a tool which adds dynamics to masculine image. Superman hero is very attractive to general public as it reflects underlying problems of becoming a man. References Brown, Jeffrey A. “Comic Book Masculinity and the New Black Superhero.” African American Review. Vol. 33, no.1, 1999 pp. 25-42 Weltzien, Friedrich “Masque-ulinities: Changing Dress as a Display of Masculinity in the Superhero Genre.” Fashion Theory vol. 9 no.2, 2005 pp. 229-50 Read More