French Resistance and Roman Fiction
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A World War 2 Trilogy
By FRED NATH (Novelist and Neurosurgeon)
Fred's Blog
Fred's Blog
Blog
Superheroes - Who Needs Them?
| Posted on 17 December, 2018 at 3:08 |
I was born in 1950. It was a time when Spencer Tracy, Kirk Douglas, Bert
Lancaster were on the rise in their careers. Human icons most young fellas
looked up to. Cinema was the great cultural phenomenon at that time and the
actors became huge. At that time too, Marvel’s comic book superheroes were very popular in
the pictorial cartoon books and magazines. Like any media one read them and
loved them through the suspension of belief. It was escapism at its best – a kind
of momentary flight, giving a short-term emotional gratification. But it was
more than that. The heroes were super – they had morals, they cared about other people;
they helped others. I think they were good role models for any young person,
because they created a kind of moral instruction shaping my view of good and
bad. Be the magnanimous, kind victor and fight evil wherever you find it. I can recall the first episode of Dr Who, which on the back of Quatermass
and Day of the Triffids (both of which I was banned from watching) became the
captor of my imagination in those days. I had learned from Superman that one
can enjoy stories based on impossibilities as long as one abandoned reality and
one could at times, escape into fantasy to get away from the realities of
humdrum studying. I remember reading Ian Fleming’s Dr No (mainly by torchlight late at
night under the covers) when I was 13. I became James Bond in those days. Maybe
it was the attraction of a secret life and the power that could bring. The next leap forward in my fantasy psyche was Star Trek. As a young
medical student, I never missed an episode on Wednesdays at 6pm. Nor did the
other students in my flat or my girlfriend’s house. Star Trek is interesting
because it depicts a very attractive environment – multi-cultural
egalitarianism not based on money or the American dream, but on fairness and
strict moral codes. None of the characters stabbed people in back streets for
gang-related transgressions or stole money. My Walter Mittie side remained fixed in those days. Little progress came
cinematically but looking back now, Superman had moved from comic book to TV and
then blockbuster movies. the world was gradually changing and advancing
technology meant I could be lazy – relying on a producer or director’s
imagination for the escape gratification I seemed to want so much. The movie Star Wars was pivotal. Looking back now, I realise I was being
suckered in, duped. Those stories – landmark epics – were written in the
typical myth structure. The hero is ordinary with a hidden exceptional skill.
He refuses the quest but is dragged into it by the antagonist. He then travels
the dark forest with rising tension and then triumphs over the evil that almost
engulfed him. Once you realise that, it all becomes a bit predictable, but what
doesn’t go away is the desperate wish for good to triumph over evil and to
witness that, even though you cannot participate. And now? Looking at upcoming films (in an article recently about forthcoming ‘films
you just have to watch in 2019’) about 20% of them are Marvel comic book heroes
brought to life on the big screen. The baddies are really bad, and the goodies
cannot be harmed, except in an emotional way. I think that is the key. Emotional
manipulation to let us feel what the hero might feel – forcing us into a kind
of apathetic empathy and a desire for our hero to win. I don’t believe you can
love a film like Rogue One without feeling that the spirit of good must triumph
over evil in the end even if that triumph means they die but give us hope. I think hope is what we all need in the present world. A desperate desire
for things to get better for everyone – all races and colours – from pygmies in
Africa to Palestinians in the Middle East. We need these super heroes if only to teach us to admire their morals and
magnanimity. Looking at the world we live in and are gradually destroying,
breath by breath, where is Superman? Why can’t he be real? Truth is we don’t need a Superman, just his image and code of life. Be there
for others. Nietzsche felt we all have a superman within us (ok, not the
American one, but a superman nonetheless) and we have a duty to release him -
stand up for those less fortunate than ourselves and above all, be kind. So, have a great Christmas and
enjoy being a superhero, because the world really does need you! |
Categories: thoughts
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1 Comment
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resumewritinggroup
1:40 on 26 April, 2019
This selection is very informative You know a lot about Marvels. I think you are really a fan. I don’t blame you because Marvel is really quite addictive. I watch a few, but not all of their movies. It’s fun and enjoyable to watch. But I agree that we just need these superheroes to teach us to admire one’s moral and magnanimity, and that we don’t need superman or any other heroes. You can be a hero yourself by just being there for others.
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