Reading "Superman and Me" gave me conflicting feelings. Of course, the tale of a young boy striving to succeed in and environment where he is nearly required to fail is thrilling, yet it really makes you think of the environment itself. He was a young Indian child living on a reservation; however, he recognized that he was an intelligent person. Others around him tried to quiet him because Indian children were supposed to be dumb. Sherman Alexie wanted more out of life.
The story of his life in “Superman and me” by, Sherman Alex, expressed deeply of himself on how dedicated and content he was during his youthful life. As a young impecunious Indian boy, he grew up on the sides of Eastern Washington state following the path of his father’s dedication in the love of reading and writing. He self taught his way up to be an overachiever reader by constantly reading everything he saw in sight. Later in life, acting as a life saver, he taught those who lacked in reading and writing. He’s proud and prudent to this day, leading those who are inspired by his novels, poems and short stories.
Christopher Reeve, an American actor, is well known for his role in the 1st through 4th Superman movies. He played the well-known role of the main character Clark Kent, an ordinary boy sent from his destroyed planet to Earth. Whilst on Earth he discovers that he is different and learns about his superpowers and fights evil in the Metropolis. Because of his role Reeve learnt a lot about heroes and their lives. Knowing this he said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
Alexie, Sherman, “Superman and Me: The Joy of Reading and Writing.” Los Angeles Times, 19 April 1998. Sherman Alexie shared how his childhood of reading helped him become a better reader and a leader for others. He first read a Superman comic and then went on to bigger and better books. Alexie explains that in his Native American reservation it’s okay for children not to excel in school.
In the text, “Superman and Me,”One main quote that explains everything you need to know about this article is when Sherman Alexie says, “I wasrefused to fail. I was smart. I was lucky.” Many people that have read this choose to believe that this quote is just an irritating repetition of how he felt about himself, however, closer examination shows that it actually develops his main claim and central idea, refines his claims, and shows the purpose of this text all in one quote. Alexie was a young, Indian boy who just wanted to know how to read in write in the aspiration of becoming emotionally closer to his father because he loved him so.
In Superman and Me by Sherman Alexie, Alexie’s father’s love for books grew to make his self-love books ending up in Alexie teaching himself how to read. Alexie describes the stereotypes and what is expected of Indian children and how Indian children were expected to basically have no knowledge Many lived up to those expectations inside the classroom but invalidated them on the outside. While other children were doing this, Alexie’s father was one of the few Indians on the reservation who went to Catholic School on purpose and was also an devoted reader. Alexie grew up around books. His father had a strong love for books as he bought them by the pound from pawn shops, goodwill and the salvation army.
Jack Edward Larson was born on 8 February 1928, in Los Angeles, California, United States. He was an American actor, librettist, screenwriter, and producer who died on 20 September 2015 (87), in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, United States. He is recognized for the role of a meek cub reporter at the fictional Daily Planet newspaper, Jimmy Olsen, in "Adventures of Superman" TV show which ran between 1982 and 1987. His parents, Anita and Edward Larson were Western Union Clerk and West Los Angeles Milk Truck Driver respectively. He was the only child to the couple, who later got divorced.
In Blows story he talks about his love for books, and how it saved his life. Sherman Alexie does the same thing in “Superman and Me”. They share their own stories and the books that saved them. They tell us how their families played a part of what they became. We also learn how their childhood was and how the books were introduced to them at a young age.
Superman symbolizes the narrator’s desire to escape his mundane and lonely life and become someone powerful and heroic. The narrator feels inadequate and hopeless in his life, so he fantasizes about being like Superman, who has extraordinary abilities and a clear purpose. The protagonist says, "I have always liked the idea of Superman because I have always liked the idea that there is one person in the world who doesn't do bad things. And that there is one person in the world who is able to fly." (Coupland, 5).
Life is full of doors, some are open and some are closed. There comes a time when sealed doors need to be broken open so everyone can reach their maximum potential and goals in life, just like Sherman Alexie did in “Superman and Me.” An example of Sherman Alexie breaking down doors is one of his quotes from “Superman and Me,” “this might be an interesting story all by itself. A little Indian boy teaches himself to read at an early age and advances quickly. He reads Grapes of Wrath in kindergarten when other children are struggling through Dick and Jane.
The story “Superman and Me” has author Alexie tells his readers a theme that he learned when he was young: to be himself no matter what others tell him to do. The story is about Alexie and his love for reading and what caused it. Alexie wrote the story on his childhood in the Spokane Indian Reservation. Alexie is the main character seeing as this is a narrative about his childhood. He has a conflict when others try to tell him not to be himself.
Gifted with incredible endurance and super strength, the ability of flight, and an impeccable moral compass, Superman is the quintessential superhero that Americans of all ages have admired and looked up to since his conception in 1938. In Brad Bird’s 1999 feature animation The Iron Giant, the fifty-foot metal protagonist is no exception. Hiding out in a barn, he peers at an issue of the Superman comic book like an amused child with his eyes wide and mouth agape. His closest human companion, nine-year old Hogarth, sits before the giant and explains to him, “Sure, he’s famous now, but he started off just like you! Crash landed on Earth…he only uses his powers for good, never for evil.”
Superheroes usually have a bad childhood, where they would persevere through adventures and eventually become stronger to protect the people. We can draw parallels from Greek mythology where we have the story of Perseus. Perseus is a prototypical hero quester of classical literature which we can compare to Superman which is also the prototypical hero quester of the superhero age. Superman and Perseus were both orphaned shortly after birth, where after reaching maturity, both sets out on a journey to find their purpose in adulthood. For Superman, it is how he realises his identity and purpose on Earth before he takes on his mantle on Earth as Superman.
He had the “strength” to “smash through any bank,” but would not. His morals remained intact. Instead, he strove to help those around him and worked selflessly to fight against the evils. It would be almost impossible to find someone that selfless today. Everyone is so indulged in getting the best for themselves, and wanting to see themselves on the top, that they tend not be compassionate in the way Superman was.
“Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise, you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.” — C.S. Lewis. A popular debate that has been raging since the first comic was published is, are superheroes good role models? Superheroes are good role models for many reasons.
