Post 9/11

http://www.blather.net/shitegeist/2007/05/its_all_gone_grant_morrison_or_how_heroe.htm

"Episode after episode the show, visually and narratively, pushes the boundaries of its genre"


http://www.juancole.com/2007/05/cole-on-heroes-and-culture-wars-my.html

What explains the show's popularity, especially with younger viewers? I think it is that, like the Fox thriller "24," "Heroes" is a response to Sept. 11 and the rise of international terrorism. But while "24" skews to the right politically, "Heroes" seems like a left-wing response to those events.

First paragraph

“We’ve always been waiting for female superheroes. Because women want to be them and men want to do them.”

Although the past 50 years show the increasing number of women going out to work, and feminism rising to bring equality, why are women still portrayed as a “sex object.” Although this quote in the one hand says that women are portrayed as role models and idols for the rest of the female society, it yet again shows the stereotypical view of a women. Is this still the case with the superhero genre. Originally superheroes was a male dominated genre, the hero being a strong, powerful man, and female characters were simply subordinate and inferior. However, Heroes seems to represent women more equally, the protagonist: Claire, who is central to all the other characters and the main plot, taking the lead role.

Detailed Essay Plan

How is the Masculinity and Femininity of characters portrayed in superheroes, with close reference to "Heroes"

First paragraph:

Start with the quote – “We’ve always been waiting for female superheroes. Because women want to be them and men want to do them”

Explain the quote, contradicting itself, in one aspect female superheroes are portrayed as an idol or role model for other women, however the quote also reinforces the stereotypical view of women being a “sex object” The fact that men want to “do” women (sex) shows that there is no progress in the representation of women, and shows no respect towards them.

Is this still the case with superheroes? Originally superhero genre – male dominated. The hero was a strong male character, and if there was a female character she was represented as subordinate and inferior to the man (also had no superpowers)

-However, in women seem to be represented more equally such as wonder woman and in Heroes, the main character is Claire, who is central to all the other characters and the main plot.

Second Paragraph:

What is a superhero? What are the conventions, and what it takes to be a superhero?

Originally: wore a cape

Outfit – tightly fitted/skin tight.

Secret identity, therefore they have a second character – eg Clark Kent and superman.

Heroes does not conform to these common traits: None of the characters wear any time of costumes, no second name.

However, they do try to hide their ability as they are afraid they will be taken away, and “tested” on like an animals.

Similar to Smallville, superman is not shown in the stereotypical manner, and portrayed as “normal” which all the characters want to be.

Eg nikki, Nathan and Claire trying to hide and fight against their abilities, and lead a “normal” life.

This may indicated a change in the genre, superhero was seen as more of a fantasy, fairytale, in which enabled the audience to create a form of escapism.

However, now the superheroes portrayed – sci fri. thriller ( eg the murders in Heroes by sylar)

Third Paragraph

History of superheroes

Originated from comics e.g. dc comics created the first – superman.

First comic/first superhero firm. Examples.

The Golden Age of superheroes –

Why/When did they become increasingly popular =

World War Two – rise of superheroes. Presented a tale of good vs evil, and therefore created patriotically themed superheroes as they needed a hero – to be saved.

A form of escapism during the hardship of war.

Also during the second world war women started working and took on the roles of men. Therefore they obtained more freedom of will.

This was also reflected in the comics – 1941 – Wonder Woman made her first appearance.

It soon become the second best selling comic in the DC line of superhero characters.

Fourth paragraph

Various representations of characters and gender roles – presented in superheroes.

Originally men had always been portrayed as macho and masculine.

“masculinity is a socially constructed performance” (on paper)

Men feel the need to be masculine (– large, bigger than a female, powerful) in order to take on the role of a breadwinner and support the women.

e.g. Superman – high angle shot used to reinforce the superiority, and male dominance of the characters.

Commonly women were shown as passive, weak and emotional. No superpowers.

Just the typical role “a bit of skirt” (essay)

They were not regarded as important either, main focus on the male character.

“they were overshadowed by the apparent visibility of young men” (book)

Fifth Paragraph

Explain the theorists that you need to talk about.

Representations of women

Laura mulvey – the male gaze

Although women taking on similar roles to men, still wearing skimpy revealing clothing, fitting into the expected images – what the audience want.

They want a set genre and need they expectations to be met.

Cortese – perfect provocateur.

This was not only for women, but also accounted for men, and the new expected image of men shown. (similar to casino royale – and the fact that superheroes have always worn skin tight clothing)

Women shown as two ends of the spectrum –

Madonna – Claire – Thelma

Whore – Nikki – Louise

Sixth paragraph

Is this still represented in superheroes?

Women have progressed in the sense that they are also the main characters and have similar superpowers to male characters.

Taking on the role of men (men facing a masculinity crisis)

They are able to take on the similar roles to men – could indicate a decline in “masculinity”

However these characters still represented as sex objects.

Wonder woman – “infected with the need to conform to certain images of beauty” – Germaine Greer (ibid.: 23-24)

Thelma and Louise – taking on mans role. Road trip seen as a typical mans film.

Thelma – goofy housewife, married to a controlling husband. madonna

Louise – young, free single and more outgoing. – whore

Seventh Paragraph

Further indicated in Heroes

Claire is the main character, she is central to the plot and all the other characters, showing that she is the main focus and has taken over the male role.

Shown as a superhero, throughout the seasons sylar is after her power, showing that she is vital and the strongest character. Also characters such as Suresh reveal that they “need” Claire in order to live (her regenerating blood)

Fighting against men as well.

Saves the man from a burning fire, showing that she is the only character to have a “masculine” role as she partakes in physical strength e.g. running into the fire, and carrying the man out. Also enduring the pain of the fire – similar to superman (typical scene of him pushing an airplane)

On the other hand they are still shown as weak – “save the cheerleader” the tagline of the show indicated that she needs proctected – connotes she is weak and vulnerable. Needs support from a man.

Also shows the female character in a typical American stereotype of a cheerleader – also with blonde hair.

“shocking lack of women” –

Get the quote of women being under represented – more men are generally shown on tv.

Nikki conforms to the stereotype of women represented as “whores”

She is strips on camera – for money. Showing she has become desperate and in need of support. Is not financially able to support herself and her son.

Eighth Paragraph

This is similar to men

Men in older films were shown as more muscular – bulging biceps (popeye)

Emphasizing the fact that they can “abuse their power” over women and other characters for example the villain.

(Bryson, Valerie (1999) “Feminist debates” pg 37

Conversely, heroes does not conform to these traits of superheroes – characters such as Hiro is similar to “lame” characters like “Brother power of the geek” – not very strong, weak little man.

However Hiro is still a powerful character, fighting with the sword – phallic symbol to indicate his strength even though he looks like a “geek”

Peter Petrelli – is a nurse – showing the masculinity of men is difference. Had is declined. (

The new man)

.....

http://www.thefword.org.uk/features/2006/02/deconstructing_masculinity

"masculinity is rarely deconstructed in the same way as femininity"

"Masculinity must be deconstructed if it is to change"

.. historical stuff...

http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/g/goldenag.htm

During the 1940's there was a boom in the number of comics and superheroes. The success of Superman caused a number of companies to jump on the band-wagon and create their own crimefighting heroes, and then when America joined the War there was clearly perceived to be a need for patriotic heroes fighting the evil Axis force


Historical - superheroes become more popular during the war, as it indicated they needed to be saved, also showing unity within America.
Similar to Heroes, during the election, when Nathan Petrelli is running for congress, shows a very patriotic ideology.

Historical Texts

Superman: The movie. 1978.
Based on the DC comics character: Superman
Directed by Richard Donner.
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Budget: 55 million (est)

Superman: Shown are very masculine and strong.
High angle shot used to portray superman as superior and strong.
Lois Lane: dies in the end - weak subirdinate character - falls in love with the hero.
Superman wears tight clothing - could indicate female gaze - showing the male character as a sex object (casino royale)
Baudrillard (in Seduction, 1990) - "Men, too, are seducers - a male version of the perfect provocateur. The ideal man in ads in young, handsome, clean cut and sexually alluring."
Anthony Cortese - "Women are often shown as the "perfect provocateur" (Ibid.: 54):
Cortese - "Today's man has pumped his pecs and shoulders and exhibits well-defined abs..." (Ibid.: 58)


WonderWoman - 1976
Fictional DC Comics superheroine
Created by: William Moulton Marston
First appearance: 1941
Abilities: Speed, superhuman strength, flight, regeneration (similar to claire)
ability to descern truth, resistance to magic.
Wearing skimy clothing to show shes still shown as a sex object - conforming to the stereotype.


Lois and Clark - The New Adventures of Superman
First aired on ABC between 1993 - 1997.
More focus placed on the relationship on Clark Kent and Lois Lane, rather than Clarks alter ego.
Reinforces the gender roles of the two main characters. Clark being the hero, and Lois falling in love with superman and often being saved by him. Not shown to have a powerful role.


Thelma and Louise
Released in 1991
By Ridlet Scott
Written by: Callie Khouri
Thelma - passive housewife, married to a controlling husband
Louise - single, strong minded woman, who has had her own past.
Breaking the stereotype of men taking a road trip.
Shows the changing role of women.