Why Super-Humans Could be Considered as Progressive from a Feminist Perspective - Essay Example

Why Super-Humans Could Be Considered As Progressive From a Feminist Perspective Name Institution Tutor Date Introduction An intriguing work of science fiction is the imagination that super-humans exist. Children and adults are often exposed to science fiction books, movies and televisions programs that propagate the presence of supernatural humans living among the normal humans. This include charterers such as: batman, catwoman, superman, batwoman, wonder woman and Gray man a vampire supernatural human, just to name but a few. When keenly observed and analyzed, diverse themes are promoted by concept of super-humans. Some of the common themes include: social injustice, sexism, war and technological growth. Imperatively, it can be stated that the notion of the existence super-humans could be considered as a progressive from a feminist perspective. This paper seeks to critically examine how super-humans can be deliberated as a progressive from a feminist perspective. The paper will examine the concept science fiction works that depict both female and male superhuman characters. The feminist ideology was originally based on the premise that the female gender needed to be liberated (Maria, 1998, p133). The first wave of the feminist movement propagated the idea that women should be freed from the oppressive regime that was dominated by their male counterparts (Krolokke, 2005, p8). In most cases, the women felt that they were subjugated due to exclusion from political participation, poor treatment and the confinement to the home. Some were brave enough to demand for rights such as the freedom to own property, the right to vote and be part of public debates (Krolokke, 2005, p2). It can be argued that the concept of super-humans can be considered as a progressive from a feminist perspective. It raises the status of normal human beings from the natural to the unnatural. The imagined humans have special capabilities such as the ability to disappear, to fly and enormous strength (Zalka, 2013, p 2). As noted from the first wave of the feminist movement, the suppressed female gender required elevation of their status is society by having more powerful rights and capabilities. This relates to the concept supernatural humans where man is endowed with unique capabilities, this makes the idea to be perceived as progressive from the feminist perspective. The feminist ideology also propagates the view that men and women can take up similar roles in society (Krolokke, 2005, p10). The feminists argues that the female gender has similar capabilities to their male counterparts, as a results exclusion from certain roles in society should be stopped. (Krolokke, 2005, p15). This notion is also echoed in female superhuman characters. The first female superhero was the Wonder Woman that was introduce it 1941 (Dunne, 2006, p11). The character was initiated in the midst of the Second World War by William Moulton. Ironically, during this period, women were actively involved in fighting for their rights and most of them took positions that were naturally occupied by men. For instance, they joined the army and took up roles such as nurses which were mostly undertaken by the men (Dunne, 2006, p11). The Wonder Woman is also displayed as a female army soldier who works as a nurse. She is similarly presented as a strong combat who is able to handle the challenges in war environment (Dunne, 2006, p11). It can be deliberated that science fictional works such as the wonder women is progressive in the sense that it depicts that women are capable to embark on roles that are considered to be outlined for the male gender. Easton and Schroeder (2008, p108) highlight that science fiction and social change are inherently connected. In most cases, super-humans are imagined to take heroic responsibilities that can ultimately result to the realization of a social revolution. For instance, in Blue Light (1998) the first science fiction written by Mosley, he portrays a utopia probability when a few human beings both male and female are endowed with special alien powers known as the blue light, they work together and destroy the Gray man, a supernatural being that distorts the community by consuming human blood. (Hassler and Wilcox, 2008). It can be argued that from the feminist perspective, the concept of super humans is progressive in the sense that it shows that both men and women have special abilities to fight and bring change in society, as noted by the Blue Light (1998) series. A key social transformation proposed by the feminist perceptive is the elimination of male hegemony. Feminism has over the years demonstrated the underlying fact that male hegemony has been an exploitive system towards female gender (Krolokke, 2005, p15). The use of super humans in science fiction openly discloses this fact. For instance, The Catwoman comic book and movies demonstrate that women with superior powers are used as tools to evade the oppressive patriarchal system (Leaker, 2007, p108). The Catwoman series produced in the 1960s portrayed the sexuality of the women as dangerous. The character takes advantage of her sexuality to reduce the male ability to be safe and then she attacks (Leaker, 2007, p108). It can be argued that disclosing this perspective is progressive in the sense that it supports the feminist perspective that male hegemony has been an exploitive system towards female gender, even in the use of science fiction works. Women for many centuries have been perceived as powerless. In some societies for instance; women are not counted as part of the population, while in others they are categorized as special groups. This basically indicates the women are powerless. Hassler and Wilcox ( 2008, p 316) highlights that science fiction in Mosley’s words speaks more precisely to people who are dissatisfied with the manner in which things are, including those who feel powerless. The feminist ideology however, introduces the notion that women can be powerful, in the sense that they do not need to be constantly dependent on the men because they can be independent. Science fiction works that highlight the concept of super-humans have represented the idea independence of women in a variety of ways. For instance, in superhero films developed in the 1930s such as; Superman, Clerk Kent the male character becomes superman where his role is always to save the female character Lois Lane a fellow reporter (Wandtke 2012, p9). On the basis of the feminist perspective, the Superman character denotes that women are powerless and they depend on me to ensure that they are safe. It demonstrates how dependent women are on the men. On the other, other fictional works have demonstrated that women can independent and that they can protect themselves. A case is the Invisible Girl movie that was introduced in 1964 (Dunne, 2006, p11). The film presents a young, weak female character that constantly requires to be salvaged. However, after she matures, she discovers that she is the most powerful and a stronger character. She is finally able to fight for herself showing as a great deal of independence (Dunne, 2006, p11). When the two films are compared, it can concluded that superhuman characters are used to provide an insight concerning how women are perceived in society, in the Superman movie, women are very dependent on the men. In addition, the man is more powerful. On the other hand, the Invisible Girl demonstrates that women can be weak, however at one point they can be powerful and finally they can attain independence which is a progressive notion as argued by the feminist ideology. Feminism also propagates the idea that the competencies of the women have often been ignore (Krolokke, 2005, p6). According to Krolokke, (2005, p6) feminists have promoted the theme of “equal-opportunities feminism, where women capabilities should also be acknowledged as much as their male counterparts. The theme argues that distinctions should not be made between men and women despite of the existing biological differences. It is evident that the development of both female and male superhuman characters signifies the fact that female competences are acknowledged despite the existing biological differences. For instance, characters such as Batman and Catwoman work together, which is definitely a sign of progress as proposed by “equal-opportunities feminism.’’ Race, (2013, p108) however argues that superhuman science fiction works have not effectively acknowledged the female capabilities. In his study Race, (2013, p15) argues that Batman constantly saves Catwoman which shows that heroines are developed to be saved by hero’s. This factor can raise questions as to whether the feminist views are sufficiently integrated into science fiction works. Conclusion The above discussion has presented various views that examine how super-humans can be deliberated as a progressive from a feminist perspective. Foremost, the paper argues that just like the feminist view which proposes the need to change the social status of the women, the notion of super- humans in science fiction is progressive because it elevates the status of human-beings to a more powerful state. Also, the concept of super humans has been used to demonstrate that both men and women can take up similar roles in society as propagated by the feminist theory. Additionally, the existence of supper humans promotes the idea that women can be powerful and that they can instigate social change. In conclusion, it can be stated that the feminist ideology has been relevant in fighting for the rights of the female gender. Science fiction works such as the existence of super-humans has been also useful in promoting the views of the feminist. Reference Dunne , M 2006, The Representation of Women in Comic Books, Post WWII Through the Radical 60’s, Scholars Online Journal: 2(1). p 11-13. Easton, L and Schroeder, R 2008, The Influence of Imagination: Essays on Science Fiction and Fantasy, McFarland Hassler, D and Wilcox, C 2008, New Boundaries in Political Science Fiction, Oxford Publishing. Krolokke, 2005, Three Waves of Feminism, Sage Publication Leaker, M 2007, Treacherous, Deviant, and Submissive: Female Sexuality Represented In the Character Catwoman, College of Bowling Green. Maria, L 1998, Feminism and Its Fictions: The Consciousness-raising Novel and the Women's Liberation Movement, University of Pennsylvania Press. Race, C 2013, Batwoman and Catwoman: Treatment of Women in DC Comics, Wright State University. Zalka, C 2013, Tales of Superman Powers: 55 Traditional Stories around the World. McFarland Wandtke, T 2012, The Meaning of Superhero Comic Books, McFarland Read More

Ironically, during this period, women were actively involved in fighting for their rights and most of them took positions that were naturally occupied by men. For instance, they joined the army and took up roles such as nurses which were mostly undertaken by the men (Dunne, 2006, p11). The Wonder Woman is also displayed as a female army soldier who works as a nurse. She is similarly presented as a strong combat who is able to handle the challenges in war environment (Dunne, 2006, p11). It can be deliberated that science fictional works such as the wonder women is progressive in the sense that it depicts that women are capable to embark on roles that are considered to be outlined for the male gender.

Easton and Schroeder (2008, p108) highlight that science fiction and social change are inherently connected. In most cases, super-humans are imagined to take heroic responsibilities that can ultimately result to the realization of a social revolution. For instance, in Blue Light (1998) the first science fiction written by Mosley, he portrays a utopia probability when a few human beings both male and female are endowed with special alien powers known as the blue light, they work together and destroy the Gray man, a supernatural being that distorts the community by consuming human blood.

(Hassler and Wilcox, 2008). It can be argued that from the feminist perspective, the concept of super humans is progressive in the sense that it shows that both men and women have special abilities to fight and bring change in society, as noted by the Blue Light (1998) series. A key social transformation proposed by the feminist perceptive is the elimination of male hegemony. Feminism has over the years demonstrated the underlying fact that male hegemony has been an exploitive system towards female gender (Krolokke, 2005, p15).

The use of super humans in science fiction openly discloses this fact. For instance, The Catwoman comic book and movies demonstrate that women with superior powers are used as tools to evade the oppressive patriarchal system (Leaker, 2007, p108). The Catwoman series produced in the 1960s portrayed the sexuality of the women as dangerous. The character takes advantage of her sexuality to reduce the male ability to be safe and then she attacks (Leaker, 2007, p108). It can be argued that disclosing this perspective is progressive in the sense that it supports the feminist perspective that male hegemony has been an exploitive system towards female gender, even in the use of science fiction works.

Women for many centuries have been perceived as powerless. In some societies for instance; women are not counted as part of the population, while in others they are categorized as special groups. This basically indicates the women are powerless. Hassler and Wilcox ( 2008, p 316) highlights that science fiction in Mosley’s words speaks more precisely to people who are dissatisfied with the manner in which things are, including those who feel powerless. The feminist ideology however, introduces the notion that women can be powerful, in the sense that they do not need to be constantly dependent on the men because they can be independent.

Science fiction works that highlight the concept of super-humans have represented the idea independence of women in a variety of ways. For instance, in superhero films developed in the 1930s such as; Superman, Clerk Kent the male character becomes superman where his role is always to save the female character Lois Lane a fellow reporter (Wandtke 2012, p9). On the basis of the feminist perspective, the Superman character denotes that women are powerless and they depend on me to ensure that they are safe.

It demonstrates how dependent women are on the men. On the other, other fictional works have demonstrated that women can independent and that they can protect themselves. A case is the Invisible Girl movie that was introduced in 1964 (Dunne, 2006, p11). The film presents a young, weak female character that constantly requires to be salvaged.

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