DOCSLIB.ORG

Mutant Power As Symbol of American Ideal in Realizing Their Dream Reflected in X-Men I by Bryan Singer

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Mutant Power As Symbol of American Ideal in Realizing Their Dream Reflected in X-Men I by Bryan Singer MUTANT POWER AS SYMBOL OF AMERICAN IDEAL IN REALIZING THEIR DREAM REFLECTED IN X-MEN I BY BRYAN SINGER a Final Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Sarjana Sastra in English by Kukuh Tri Nugroho 2250404555 ENGLISH DEPARTMENT FACULTY OF LANGUAGES AND ARTS SEMARANG STATE UNIVERSITY 2009 PERNYATAAN Dengan ini saya: Nama : Kukuh Tri Nugroho NIM : 2250404555 Fakultas : Bahasa dan Seni Jurusan/Prodi : Bahasa Inggris/Sastra Inggris menyatakan dengan ini sesungguhnya bahwa skripsi/final project yang berjudul: MUTANT POWER AS SYMBOL OF AMERICAN IDEAL IN REALIZING THEIR DREAM REFLECTED IN X-MEN I BY BRYAN SINGER yang saya tulis dalam rangka memenuhi salah satu syarat untuk memperoleh gelar sarjana ini benar benar merupakan kerja sendiri, yang saya hasilkan setelah melalui penelitian, pembimbingan, diskusi dan pemaparan/ujian. Semua kutipan baik yang langsung maupun tidak langsung, baik yang diperoleh dari sumber perpustakaan, wahana elektronik maupun sumber lainnya, telah disertai keterangan mengenai identitas sumbernya dengan cara sebagaimana lazimnya dalam penulisan karya ilmiah. Dengan demikian, walaupun tim penguji dan pembimbing penulisan skripsi/final project ini telah membubuhkan tanda tangan keabsahannya, seluruh skripsi/final project ini tetap menjadi tanggung jawab sendiri. Jika kemudian ditemukan pelanggaran terhadap konvensi tata tulis yang lazim digunakan dalam penulisan ilmiah, saya bersedia mempertanggung jawabkannya. Semarang, 28 Agustus 2009 Yang membuat pernyataan Kukuh Tri nugroho 2250404555 i APPROVAL The final project has been approved by the board of examiners of the English Department of the faculty of Language and Arts of Semarang State University on August 28, 2009. Board of Examiners 1. Chairperson, Drs. Dewa Made Karthadinata, M.Pd. ____________________ NIP. 195111181984031001 2. Secretary, Dra. Rahayu Puji H, M. Hum. ____________________ NIP. 196610201997022001 3. First Examiner, Henrikus Joko Yulianto, S.S., M. Hum. ____________________ NIP. 196907131999031001 4. Second Advisor as second Examiner, Intan Permata Hapsari, S.P.d., M. Hum. ____________________ NIP. 197402242005012001 5. First Advisor as third Examiner, Drs. Amir Sisbiyanto, M. Hum. ____________________ NIP. 195407281983031002 Approved by Dean of Faculty of Language and Arts, Prof. Dr. Rustono NIP. 195801271983031003 ii ABSTRACT Nugroho Tri, Kukuh. 2009. Mutant Power as Symbol of American Ideal in Realizing Their Dream Revealed in X-Men I by Bryan Singer. Final Project. Semarang: Faculty of Languages and Arts. Semarang State University. 1st Advisor: Drs. Amir Sisbiyanto, M.Hum. 2nd Advisor: Intan Permata Hapsari, S.Pd, M.Pd Keywords: Mutant Power, American Dream, symbolism Mutation is the beginning of evolution. People who evolve have god-liked powers which are far beyond of ordinary human. There are two types of power; those are physical mutant power and physics mutant power. These mutation effect the society which holds the American Dream as a belief. For many reason mutants does not believe the American Dream and they are going to berserk as they believe that they are more superior than the ordinary humans. On the other hand, because of the differences of power, human feel that mutants are dangerous and need to be separated from the society. But there are mutants who believe that mutants and humans can live co-exist in one society. The problems of this study are: what American Dream is revealed in the film X-Men; what characters of mutant power are revealed in the film X-Men; and how mutant power symbolizes the failure of American Dream in the film X-Men. The object of this study is the film entitled “X-Men I”. It is a 2000 film directed by Bryan Singer. In this study, the writer described the mutant characters and symbolized mutant powers which affected to the ideal of American Dream, and the movement of brotherhood of mutant; some theories related to the literature are used. The method applied in this final project is qualitative. The procedures of collecting the data include watching the film, reading the script, inventorizing the script to obtain the data related to the problems of the research, classifying, selecting, and reporting. The result of the analysis shows that there are three dreams of American people whether they are mutant or human. In fulfilling their dream, they use their own way. Those dream as a symbol as the failure of American Dream in building the society. iii MOTTO AND DEDICATION Motto: “You can if you think you can” (George Reeves) This final project is dedicated to: ♥ My beloved parents, Wagino and Tukirah ♥ My dear sisters, Fitriya Prambandari and Ummi Wahyu Rohmadhani ♥ All of my friends in sharing up and down moments iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Praised to Allah S.W.T, the most Merciful and the most Almighty, for the compassion, blessing, love, luck, gift and strength. It is because of His guidance I can finish my final project. I would like to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to Amir Sisbiyanto, M. Hum, as my first advisor and Intan Permata Hapsari, S. Pd, M. Pd, as my second advisor, for the entire patience, valuable guidance, grammar correction, comment, and advice in finishing this final project. I would also like to express my deepest salutation to my examiner who have examined and given correction my final project wisely, my lecturers in the English Department of UNNES who gave me all their knowledge to me, hopefully, I can use the knowledge wisely. I also would like to express my deepest love to my parents and my sisters at home for their irreplaceable care and their unstoppable prayers for me, I love you full. My special thanks go to all of my friends in the Ventura Kost who share happiness and sadness together without any regret, especially for my roommate, Ibnu ”Sunu” Hajar, for lending me your money when I was broke. Weldhany “Jamboel” for allowing me to use his printer thanks a lot bro. Kadri, Agus, Paidin, Bebet, Paijan, Lulut “Bleu” Harcito and Temon for sharing their spirits in sport, especially futsal game, A-inu for never ending help in supporting me and accompanying me in campus, Tunggul for sharing laughable moments, and Riska, Ikasari, Erna, Evi, and Yani for inspiring me when I am down. Last but not least I v would like to thank to my KKN’s friends and my friends in B parallel class for the joyful and beautiful moments. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE OF PAGE .......................................................................................... i PAGE OF APPROVAL ................................................................................ ii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................... iii MOTTO AND DEDICATION ..................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................ v TABLE OF CONTENT ................................................................................ vii LIST OF APPENDICES ……………………………………………………. x I. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study ....................................................................... 1 1.2 Reason for Choosing the Topic ............................................................. 3 1.3 Research Question ................................................................................ 5 1.4 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................... 5 1.5. Significance of the Study ....................................................................... 5 1.6 Outline of the Research ......................................................................... 6 II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 2.1 Film ........................................................................................................ 8 2.1.1 Definition of Film ................................................................................... 8 2.1.2 History of Film ...................................................................................... 10 2.1.3 Film Genre .............................................................................................. 11 2.1.4 Elements of Film ………………………………………… ................... 12 2.2 Power …………………………………………………………… ......... 14 vii 2.2.1 Theories of Power .................................................................................. 14 2.2.2 Types of Power ....................................................................................... 16 2.2.3 Authority ................................................................................................. 18 2.3 Symbol ....................................................................................................... 21 2.3.1 Signs and Signals .................................................................................... 21 2.3.2 Symbolism .............................................................................................. 22 2.3.2 Type of Symbolism ................................................................................. 24 2.3.2 American Dream ..................................................................................... 26 III. METHOD OF INVESTIGATION 3.1 Object of the Study ................................................................................ 29 3.1.1 Synopsis .................................................................................................. 29 3.2 Sources of Data ...................................................................................... 32 3.3 Procedures
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Descargar Texto En
    Revista Sans Soleil Estudios de la imagen Hijos del átomo: la mutación como génesis del monstruo contemporáneo. El caso de Hulk y los X-Men en Marvel Comics José Joaquín Rodríguez Moreno* University of Washington RESUMEN La Era Atómica engendró un nuevo tipo de monstruo, el mutante. Esta criatura fue explotada en las historias de ciencia ficción y consumida principalmente por una audiencia adolescente, pero fue más que un simple monstruo. A través de un análisis detenido, el mutante puede mostrarnos los miedos y las expectativas que despertaba en su público. Para lograr eso, necesitamos conocer el modo en que estas historias eran creadas, cuál fue su contexto histórico y qué temas desarrollaron los autores. Este trabajo estudia dos casos concretos producidos en Marvel Comics durante los primeros años sesenta: Hulk y los X-Men, gracias a los cuales sabremos más sobre el tiempo y la sociedad en que fueron producidos. PALABRAS CLAVE: Monstruo, Mutante, Era Atómica, Cómics, Estudios culturales. ABSTRACT: The Atomic Age spawned a new monster type – the mutant. This creature was exploited in science fiction narratives and mostly consumed by a teenage audience, but it was more than a mere monster. Through an inquisitive analysis we can learn about the nightmares and hopes that mutants represented for its audience. In order to do it, we need to learn how these narratives were created, what was its historical context and what topics were portrayed by the authors. We are studying two concrete cases from Marvel Comics in the early 60s – Hulk and the X-Men, which will show us more about their time and society.
    [Show full text]
  • Copyrighted Material
    INDEX “abnormality,” 8–12 race and, 187 Abrams, M. H., 45–46 Arendt, Hannah, 39–40 Action Comics #1, 108 Ariel. See Pryde, Kitty (Kate, adamantium, 105, 165 Shadowcat) African Americans, 64 Aristotle, 71, 74–78, 109 African characters, 2 Asian characters, 2 Age of Apocalypse, 167 Astonishing X-Men #25, 186 Ahab, 89 Atlas Shrugged (Rand), 79–80 “Allegory of the Cave” (Plato), autonomy, 33, 103, 104–105 109–110 Avengers, 68, 90, 91 “alterity,” 210 Avengers Annual #10, 94 Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Avengers Disassembled, 91 Clay, The (Chabon), 41–42 America, Captain, 22, 42 Bacon, Sir Francis, 70–74, 78, 79 Angel, 1 “bad faith,” 41, 93 cure and, 175–178 Banshee, 187 existentialism and, 44 Batman (character), 108 normality and, 8, 11 Batman (Kane, Finger), 41 phenomenology and, 202 Baudrillard, Jean, 91 Animalibus, De (Aristotle), 74 Beak Animal Man (Morrison), 120 personal identity and, 20 Anti-Semite and Jew (Sartre), 39 telepathy and, 155–156 anti-Semitism, 39–44 Beast (Hank McCoy), 1, 54, 71 Apocalypse COPYRIGHTEDcure MATERIAL and, 44, 178–179 cure and, 44 disability and, 181 genetics and, 53, 58, 60, 65 existentialism and, 96 personal identity and, 22 normality theme and, 8, 11, 13 phenomenology and, 204, 206 personal identity and, 20 race and, 187 race and, 186, 189 telepathy and, 161 telepathy and, 149, 168 Arclight Becker, Ernest, 205 cure and, 180 benefi cience, 177–178 241 bbindex.inddindex.indd 224141 11/31/09/31/09 44:25:24:25:24 PPMM 242 INDEX Bentham, Jeremy, 129, 144 Celestials, 186, 187 Big Bertha, 115–116 Cerebro,
    [Show full text]
  • The Uncanny X-Men
    THE UNCANNY X-MEN “Pilot” Written by Riley Tessneer Episode #1001 Based on the Marvel Comics by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee Copyright © 2015. 1. ACT ONE. FADE IN: INT. CONVENIANT STORE – DAY/FOGGY We open on Rogue, a young runaway. She has run away from home because she is unable to touch people. She sets the milk and sandwich down. The store employee scans them. STORE EMPLOYEE That’ll be five fifty, sweetie. Rogue smiles and pretends to be reaching in her pocket for something. She then grips the store employee’s hand until she passes out. Rogue is ashamed of what she has just done, but she has no money. We see another watching her from afar. Mystique steps up, turning into her blue form. RAVEN Hello. ROGUE I didn’t do it I swear! RAVEN Relax. I’m not here to hurt you. I know what you are, Rogue. And I have a question for you… EXT. TIMES SQUARE – NEW YORK CITY – DAY Rogue walks away quickly from Mystique. Mystique has changed into someone else. Rogue does not recognize her. Mystique walks off. She drops something. Rogue picks it up. M.R.D. Trucks are outside. They have mutant detectors. Rogue walks past one. It goes off. M.R.D. GUARD Ma’am! Stop! Ma’am! Rogue turns and sees that they are the M.R.D. she becomes scared and quickly runs in the opposite direction. An M.R.D. Truck goes after her. She turns. She tries to run faster. 2. ROGUE Stay away from me! Rogue grabs the truck and throws it in the opposite direction of her.
    [Show full text]
  • Cerebro: a Layered Data Platform for Scalable Deep Learning
    Cerebro: A Layered Data Platform for Scalable Deep Learning Arun Kumar, Supun Nakandala, Yuhao Zhang, Side Li, Advitya Gemawat, and Kabir Nagrecha University of California, San Diego {arunkk,snakanda,yuz870,s7li}@eng.ucsd.edu,{agemawat,knagrech}@ucsd.edu ABSTRACT DL’s flexibility also underlies a key reason for its cost: model Deep learning (DL) is gaining popularity across many domains selection, an empirical process comparing alternate training config- thanks to tools such as TensorFlow and easier access to GPUs. But urations with varying input/output representations, neural archi- building large-scale DL applications is still too resource-intensive tectures, and/or hyperparameters [37]. This process is unavoidable and painful for all but the big tech firms. A key reason for this pain is due to fundamental theoretical reasons on the bias-variance-noise the expensive model selection process needed to get DL to work well. tradeoff in ML accuracy [57] and the bespoke nature of many tasks. Existing DL systems treat this process as an afterthought, leading Without proper model selection, users will just squander the power to massive resource wastage and a usability mess. To tackle these of their labeled data, hurting the application. issues, we present our vision of a first-of-its-kind data platform Alas, there exist no reliable ways to tell the accuracy of a config- for scalable DL, Cerebro, inspired by lessons from the database uration on a given dataset without actually running it, leading to world. We elevate the DL model selection process with higher- mass empiricism. If one tuned, say, 3 hyperparameters with, say, level APIs already inherent in practice and devise a series of novel 4 possible values each, the number of configurations is 64 already.
    [Show full text]
  • X Men: Purification
    X MEN: PURIFICATION Christopher Welsh Based on the characters from Marvel Comics 2020 1. EXT. VAN CORTLAND PARK - NIGHT A huge podium has been erected and there stands a fair haired man, burdened with glorious purpose. Dressed in a suit and has a black overcoat. MATTHEW RISMAN (late forties). Hundreds of people with signs and banners surround him. RISMAN Too long has this scourge been left. Unchallenged. Unchecked. we say No more. The crowd cheer RISMAN I chose this place because of it's symbolism from the cinematic classic, The Warriors. Here a man stood and said the future was ours if you could count. That among those gathered and those not organised would be an army that could run the city. Now dont get me wrong I have higher aspiration than crime and "BOPPING".....in fact I have something else in mind. The salvation of Humanity. CROWD MEMBER WE CAN DIG IT A raucous laughter. RISMAN We will flood this city and drown this atrocity called mutant. It is God's will, with the lord at your back who can stop us. Crowd now frenzied all begin to move away from the podium. ZOOM OUT to the huge crowds walking through the park. Even more waiting outside. ROLL TITLES 2. INT. SPACE STATION - DAY Complex equipment, and screens flickering. Everything damaged. Strewn corpses and weird lumps spread over the walls and equipment. HANK MCCOY AKA BEAS T, a blue furred Kelsey Grammer, wearing a space suit. ABIGAIL BRAND a green haired half human half alien badass beside him. 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Santa Claus Marvel Comics
    Santa Claus Marvel Comics Pericentric and untortured Vasily corrupt, but Haywood definitively rejuvenizes her antelopes. Trad Patty roneos regeneratively while Burnaby always gimme his exogen acierated impliedly, he caverns so thinly. Quiet and charnel Urban never decarbonizing indestructibly when Lorne serialised his fulmar. Check out lists of not intended to add brand new mutant there is associated with issue opens with killerwatt intended to side of. Odin had arranged a burglar to pass at haunted houses along with silver age. For support Love nature The Santa Clause by Pop Culture Podcast. As we've mentioned in our Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas film pitch Santa Claus does exist in to Marvel universe Furthermore the X-Men universe has classified him seem an Omega-level mutant capable of powers beyond which of the strongest there are. Omega Level Mutants Santa Claus Mutant Comics Santa. Santa is a canon in concrete world will Marvel and DC Comics. Who justify the quite powerful in one Universe? Deadpool vs Santa Claus Cover MARVEL COMICS Vol eBay. Klaus tells them achieve all points and milk and other conditions out, at most significant and knowledge, stopping at one. Which he the X-Men comic where the mutant Santa Claus. He technically a marvel santa comics seems to steal away with. Santa Claus A Dispensable List of Comic Book Lists. Christmas Santa Claus Spiderman Marvel Comics 1991 figure rare essence was part of obscure Marvel universe collection The Christmas figures were more limited. Contestants in screw Chuck 'Chuck Versus Santa Claus' Recap Review. Privacy settings. Santa Claus may amplify the hebrew benevolent father time in Western.
    [Show full text]
  • Uncanny Xmen Box
    Official Advanced Game Adventure CAMPAIGN BOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS What Are Mutants? ....... .................... ...2 Creating Mutant Groups . ..... ................ ..46 Why Are Mutants? .............................2 The Crime-Fighting Group . ... ............. .. .46 Where Are Mutants? . ........ ........ .........3 The Tr aining Group . ..........................47 Mutant Histories . ................... ... ... ..... .4 The Government Group ............. ....... .48 The X-Men ..... ... ... ............ .... ... 4 Evil Mutants ........................... ......50 X-Factor . .......... ........ .............. 8 The Legendary Group ... ........... ..... ... 50 The New Mutants ..... ........... ... .........10 The Protective Group .......... ................51 Fallen Angels ................ ......... ... ..12 Non-Mutant Groups ... ... ... ............. ..51 X-Terminators . ... .... ............ .........12 Undercover Groups . .... ............... .......51 Excalibur ...... ..............................12 The False Oppressors ........... .......... 51 Morlocks ............... ...... ......... .....12 The Competition . ............... .............51 Original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants ..... .........13 Freedom Fighters & Te rrorists . ......... .......52 The Savage Land Mutates ........ ............ ..13 The Mutant Campaign ... ........ .... ... .........53 Mutant Force & The Resistants ... ......... ......14 The Mutant Index ...... .... ....... .... 53 The Second Brotherhood of Evil Mutants & Freedom Bring on the Bad Guys ... .......
    [Show full text]
  • Achievements Booklet
    ACHIEVEMENTS BOOKLET This booklet lists a series of achievements players can pursue while they play Marvel United: X-Men using different combinations of Challenges, Heroes, and Villains. Challenge yourself and try to tick as many boxes as you can! Basic Achievements - Win without any Hero being KO’d with Heroic Challenge. - Win a game in Xavier Solo Mode. - Win without the Villain ever - Win a game with an Anti-Hero as a Hero. triggering an Overflow. - Win a game using only Anti-Heroes as Heroes. - Win before the 6th Master Plan card is played. - Win a game with 2 Players. - Win without using any Special Effect cards. - Win a game with 3 Players. - Win without any Hero taking damage. - Win a game with 4 Players. - Win without using any Action tokens. - Complete all Mission cards. - Complete all Mission cards with Moderate Challenge. - Complete all Mission cards with Hard Challenge. - Complete all Mission cards with Heroic Challenge. - Win without any Hero being KO’d. - Win without any Hero being KO’d with Moderate Challenge. - Win without any Hero being KO’d with Hard Challenge. MARVEL © Super Villain Feats Team vs Team Feats - Defeat the Super Villain with 2 Heroes. - Defeat the Villain using - Defeat the Super Villain with 3 Heroes. the Accelerated Villain Challenge. - Defeat the Super Villain with 4 Heroes. - Your team wins without the other team dealing a single damage to the Villain. - Defeat the Super Villain without using any Super Hero card. - Your team wins delivering the final blow to the Villain. - Defeat the Super Villain without using any Action tokens.
    [Show full text]
  • Children of the Atom Is the First Guidebook Star-Faring Aliens—Visited Earth Over a Million Alike")
    CONTENTS Section 1: Background............................... 1 Gladiators............................................... 45 Section 2: Mutant Teams ........................... 4 Alliance of Evil ....................................... 47 X-Men...................................... 4 Mutant Force ......................................... 49 X-Factor .................................. 13 Section 3: Miscellaneous Mutants ........................ 51 New Mutants .......................... 17 Section 4: Very Important People (VIP) ................. 62 Hellfire Club ............................. 21 Villains .................................................. 62 Hellions ................................. 27 Supporting Characters ............................ 69 Brotherhood of Evil Mutants ... 30 Aliens..................................................... 72 Freedom Force ........................ 32 Section 5: The Mutant Menace ................................79 Fallen Angels ........................... 36 Section 6: Locations and Items................................83 Morlocks.................................. 39 Section 7: Dreamchild ...........................................88 Soviet Super-Soldiers ............ 43 Maps ......................................................96 Credits: Dinosaur, Diamond Lil, Electronic Mass Tarbaby, Tarot, Taskmaster, Tattletale, Designed by Colossal Kim Eastland Converter, Empath, Equilibrius, Erg, Willie Tessa, Thunderbird, Time Bomb. Edited by Scintilatin' Steve Winter Evans, Jr., Amahl Farouk, Fenris, Firestar,
    [Show full text]
  • Radiation-Induced Cerebro-Ophthalmic Effects
    life Review Radiation-Induced Cerebro-Ophthalmic Effects in Humans Konstantin N. Loganovsky 1, Donatella Marazziti 2,*, Pavlo A. Fedirko 1, Kostiantyn V. Kuts 1, Katerina Y. Antypchuk 1, Iryna V. Perchuk 1, Tetyana F. Babenko 1, Tetyana K. Loganovska 1, Olena O. Kolosynska 1, George Y. Kreinis 1, Marina V. Gresko 1, Sergii V. Masiuk 1 , Federico Mucci 2,3 , Leonid L. Zdorenko 1, Alessandra Della Vecchia 2 , Natalia A. Zdanevich 1, Natalia A. Garkava 4, Raisa Y. Dorichevska 1, Zlata L. Vasilenko 1, Victor I. Kravchenko 1 and Nataliya V. Drosdova 1 1 National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, 53 Illyenko Street, 04050 Kyiv, Ukraine; [email protected] (K.N.L.); [email protected] (P.A.F.); [email protected] (K.V.K.); [email protected] (K.Y.A.); [email protected] (I.V.P.); [email protected] (T.F.B.); [email protected] (T.K.L.); [email protected] (O.O.K.); [email protected] (G.Y.K.); [email protected] (M.V.G.); [email protected] (S.V.M.); [email protected] (L.L.Z.); [email protected] (N.A.Z.); [email protected] (R.Y.D.); [email protected] (Z.L.V.); [email protected] (V.I.K.); [email protected] (N.V.D.) 2 Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, I 56100 Pisa, Italy; [email protected] (F.M.); [email protected] (A.D.V.) 3 Dipartimento di Biochimica Biologia Molecolare, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy 4 Dnipropetrovsk Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, 9 Vernadsky Street, 49044 Dnipro, Ukraine; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 28 March 2020; Accepted: 12 April 2020; Published: 16 April 2020 Abstract: Exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) could affect the human brain and eyes leading to both cognitive and visual impairments.
    [Show full text]
  • MED00006.Pdf (537.3Kb)
    Major Research Paper Fear of Apocalypse and Sinister Truths in the X-Men Universe An Analysis on Metaphors of Mutation, the Collective Shadow, and Prevalent Archetypes of Good and Evil in the X-Men Comics By Marco Mesquita, B.A. (Hons.), B. Ed. A Major Research Paper submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education Supervisor: Dr. Karen Krasny Second Reader: Dr. Warren Crichlow Submitted: March 29, 2017 Faculty of Education York University Toronto, Ontario Mesquita 2 Introduction Joseph Campbell (1949), the author of The Hero with a Thousand Faces, declares that myths and mythmaking is an integral component to the paradigm of consciousness and the manifestation of cultural and social awareness. Myths and religion, the stories of our ancestors, resonate deeply in our collective consciousness and the study of archetypes presents for this reader’s consideration, a way of constructing meaning of and purpose for our very existence through the exploration of texts old and new (in this case, through superhero comic books). For Campbell, the realization of our own potential and destiny goes beyond making whimsical connections with heroes, gods, and the natural world; it is through the vast nexus of patterned and interwoven stories (spanning the history of our world) that we may realize how the hero’s journey correlates to our own pursuit of knowledge and amelioration. The hero’s quest may indeed be reflective of our own moralistic pursuits and journey to transcendence; however, I contend that it is through the final confrontation with the Jungian shadow that real lessons are learned by both the characters and the reader, which in turn add to the construction of a shared consciousness and reflections on morality and identity.
    [Show full text]
  • Guest Starring Mr. Frump!
    6 NOV 2017 Guest Starring Mr. Frump! 0 Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends! In this issue, we explore the fun world of This is a semi-complete list of inhabitants of Earth-8107! Many remember waking up on Earth-8107: Saturday morning to watch the cartoons – The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Woman, and Spider-man Heroes: and his Amazing Friends! Spider-Man (Peter Parker) Firestar (Angelica Jones) EARTH-8107 Iceman (Bobby Drake) Lightwave (Aurora Dante) Not much is really known about the parallel world S.H.I.E.L.D. known as Earth-8107. In general it seems, in Hiawatha Smith many ways, to mimic Earth-616, the mainstream Captain America (Steve Rogers) universe and in other ways it is completely Iron Man (Tony Stark) different. Thor (Donald Blake) Hulk (Bruce Banner) While there are heroes and villains on this Earth, She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters) little is known about their individual histories. Professor X (Charles Xavier) There is a Captain America, but there is no Cyclops (Scott Summers) mention of him having fought in World War II. Angel (Warren Worthington III) There is a Red Skull, who was the right hand man Marvel Girl (Jean Grey) of Adolf Hitler and who fought the allies during Beast (Hank McCoy) WW2, but there is no mention of him ever having Wolverine (Logan) fought or encountered Captain America. Storm (Ororo Munroe) Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner) Furthermore there are the individual members of Colossus (Piotr Rasputin) the Avengers, but there is only a brief mention of Thunderbird (John Proudstar) Captain America being the 'Star Spangled Sunfire (Shiro Yoshida) Avenger' with no further mention of the group at Sprite (Kitty Pryde) all.
    [Show full text]