Superman as Christ Figure?

[Snowflake]

Okay, this is a new twist for me. In all my years, even those when I was actually reading Superman comics, this never crossed my mind. Superman as Christ Figure? (http://tinyurl.com/fo2ea)

Inspiration and hero for the depression, I'll go with that, religious parable, um, I don't think so.

[Gemini Cricket]

It worked for 'E.T.'
:)

[Snowflake]

It worked for 'E.T.'
:)

You know, you're right, I'd forgotten that :blush:

[sleepyjeff]

I always thought Superman was a nod to Nietzches Ubermench...but there is someone else here who would know more about that than I;)

[Gemini Cricket]

And remember, Superman is not gay (http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1795878,00.html). :D

[mousepod]

Wow, two links in a row (this one and the ESP thread) that make me wonder about the intelligence of my friends and neighbors (not you guys on the LoT, just America in general). Yes, I'm absolutely sure that all of the Jewish guys who have been involved in the Superman story really want to preach the Gospel. Geez!

... I thought everyone read Kavalier and Clay...

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Everything is religion, religion is everything. Easy correlating wishes, dreams, magic, whathaveyou into "religion". No amazing parallels need to be drawn, either.

[€uroMeinke]

The Christian Interpretation:

Superman is an image of Christ’s return, bringing strength justice, and the American way

The Marxist Interpretation:

Superman is a symbol of the dictatorship of the proletariat, fighting figures of crime, decadence and petty bourgeois greed.

The Freudian Interpretation:

Superman is a phallic symbol, representing the projected wishes of supreme virility. His ability to fly mirrors flying dreams which merely are a sublimation of sexual desire.



Didn't you folks ever play this game in English class?



BTW - Nietzche's uberman was nothing like the comicbook super hero, but the concept was also corrupted by the Nazi's in justifying their eugenic policies.