Tori Beaty
INTG 323
Reflective Essay #3
12 February 2012
Selfless Living
The Arthur/Berger article, “Dissociation in a Hero” begins by talking about superheroes (specifically Superman) and their responsibilities. Most superheroes work on their own and even though some have sidekicks, they tend to be highly independent. Even though many heroes have a love interest, they never actually form real relationships. However, even though they do not have relationships, they are surrounded by people who admire them and need their help. “Married or not, Superman’s a family man, loaded with other people’s demands, other people’s problems” (147).
I think it is interesting to think about the fact that Superman has no real obligation to anyone, but he actually has an obligation to everyone. I wonder what makes him different than regular humans that allows him to think so unselfishly. In my opinion, most people feel a sense of responsibility towards their loved ones and would do absolutely anything to protect them. However, the average person would not typically go to such great lengths to protect strangers.
Superman, even though he is not human, was raised by humans who bestowed their own beliefs upon him. Did Superman have outstandingly moralistic parents or does something about his different genetic make-up cause him to think differently than the average person? Personally, I think that he might feel a void due to the fact that he was sent from a destroyed planet. He might feel a higher sense of responsibility because he came from a planet in which he had no opportunity to protect his people from destruction. Being taken in on planet Earth and given a home provided him the opportunity to give back by protecting Earth in a way he could not protect Krypton.
Looking at Superman’s dilemma can help average people learn a lesson in responsibility even though they do not have the option to save all of American society. Sometimes in my own life I find myself acting incredibly selfishly rather than thinking about options that would benefit the most people. The next time that I want to go out with friends instead of helping out around the house or am offered the opportunity to do volunteer work when I have other plans, I need make an honest effort to remember the ideals that Superheroes uphold. If each person made on less selfish decision each day, the world would probably be a much better place.
This is incredibly well put. Indeed, perhaps Superman's loss of his home world creates a sense of empathy that humans aren't capable of feeling to that extreme because thy have not experience something like that. But, we can look to him as an ideal, as you have, to try and do better by our fellow humans.
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