Symbolism on Superheroes Cross Cultural Essay Example
The Symbol Behind the Mask
Cross Cultural Communications
November 16, 2010
Imagine being eight years old and all you want to be for Halloween is Superman. Superman is incredible: he fights evil and never fails at saving the world. Superman among many other superheroes hold a place in many people’s hearts for being extraordinary. Spiderman, The Fantastic Four, and X-men are just among a few more superheroes that children and adults around the world want to relate to. A superhero is defined as: “a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers” (Merriam-Webster, 2010). Not all superheroes have to possess an unnatural talent, for instance Batman is a superhero who is just a person with tremendous skills and success. Superheroes are more than the characters in a comic book or on the big screen; these characters symbolize a desired way of life.
Symbolism
The purpose of this essay is to examine different superheroes throughout the years and determine the symbolism behind their “masks” and how it relates to communication. Culture is considered to be symbolic. Through images, gestures, and words, symbols are used to convey meanings. Symbols allow for cultures to transmit and preserve different meanings. Symbols define beliefs and values that are important to a culture (McDaniel, Porter, Samovar, 2009). Superheroes have many symbols themselves whether it is the letter on their chest or an image that illuminates in the sky as a cry for help. These images will be analyzed as well as how superheroes themselves can be a symbol to different cultures while communicating.
Common Traits of Superheroes Superheroes are known because of the many common traits they all share. Usually a superhero can be recognized by their flashy gear or the special power they hold. For example some superheroes fly while others have their own car named after them. Every superhero is different in this aspect, but as stated earlier each of them is extremely successful and that is
Cross Cultural Communications
November 16, 2010
Imagine being eight years old and all you want to be for Halloween is Superman. Superman is incredible: he fights evil and never fails at saving the world. Superman among many other superheroes hold a place in many people’s hearts for being extraordinary. Spiderman, The Fantastic Four, and X-men are just among a few more superheroes that children and adults around the world want to relate to. A superhero is defined as: “a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers” (Merriam-Webster, 2010). Not all superheroes have to possess an unnatural talent, for instance Batman is a superhero who is just a person with tremendous skills and success. Superheroes are more than the characters in a comic book or on the big screen; these characters symbolize a desired way of life.
Symbolism
The purpose of this essay is to examine different superheroes throughout the years and determine the symbolism behind their “masks” and how it relates to communication. Culture is considered to be symbolic. Through images, gestures, and words, symbols are used to convey meanings. Symbols allow for cultures to transmit and preserve different meanings. Symbols define beliefs and values that are important to a culture (McDaniel, Porter, Samovar, 2009). Superheroes have many symbols themselves whether it is the letter on their chest or an image that illuminates in the sky as a cry for help. These images will be analyzed as well as how superheroes themselves can be a symbol to different cultures while communicating.
Common Traits of Superheroes Superheroes are known because of the many common traits they all share. Usually a superhero can be recognized by their flashy gear or the special power they hold. For example some superheroes fly while others have their own car named after them. Every superhero is different in this aspect, but as stated earlier each of them is extremely successful and that is