A New American Mythology
I love going to the movies. There is just something about getting lost in the story and spectacle unfolding on the screen that makes it almost a religious experience for me. One genre of movie that is almost guaranteed to be a hit with myself and in the US is the superhero movie. The top two movies of 2008 thus far fit this genre: The Dark Knight and Iron Man. (imdb.com) We just can’t get enough gadgets, superpowers, and capes. Although The Incredibles tells us while capes are cool they can be detrimental to the life of the superhero.
What is it about superheroes that connects particularly with an American audience? Why do we flock to the multiplex when a new adventure premieres, run to store the day the DVD is available and collect the stuff emblazoned with our favorite hero’s image? Batman cookie jar anyone?
Tucked into a chapter entitled “Depression and World War” in the book Mission and Menace by Robert Jewett, is a fascinating discussion of the rise of the superhero during the 1930s in the United States. Jewett argues that after moving from a time period of great optimism and prosperity of the early 20th century, when the nation hit the Great Depressions and could not recover from it quickly, the US lost hope in established institutions. A “substitute religion” evolved still bringing redemption but this time by superheroes rather than by divine intervention. (p. 236-238)
Jewett calls this the American Monomyth, a new story archetype, a redemption tale. It begins with an Eden setting being threatened by an evil. This evil cannot be defended against by the normal authorities (church/religion, government, military, police, etc.) in Eden and all seems lost. A hero rises from the community and selflessly fights against the evil for the Eden. He sets things straight and then resumes his anonymity. We now have a new mythology, or at least a re-interpretation of an old mythology. 
Jewett sees superheroes as a type of Christ replacement. The hero rises from humanity (a type of incarnation), fights the evil at his own peril. But here is where the similarities end. Rather than the Eden being redeemed by the initiation of the Kingdom of God, the superhero defeats evil but things remain the same. There is always potential for evil return. Jewett says, “there is a strongly narcissistic quality to the superhero tale, in which neither the community nor the hero ever matures but remains innocent no matter how much violence is employed in allegedly cleansing the world of evil.” (p. 237) I don’t have time to unpack that whole statement, but note in superhero stories, things are fixed- for now. The hero will have to come back to fix things again, nobody learns from the experience and they rely on fixing the symptoms rather than the problem- why evil is there in the first place. It is a co-dependent relationship between the community and the hero. “No matter how many times you save the world it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved for a little bit…” Mr. Incredible bemoans in The Incredibles. A superheroes work is never done.
With the rise in superhero movies in our American culture today, we are seeing again a lack of confidence in established institutions and a sense of helplessness, much like in the 1930’s. How does the church answer this challenge? I think we have to point to Christ, the true Messiah, the true hero who can fix things for good. We also have to show ourselves as Christ’s true apprentices. We are empowered with spiritual gifts and called to work alongside our hero, whereas superheroes almost always work alone. We may not have flashy abilities, but our work and giftings are much longer lasting. Our Hero has won the war, we are fighting alongside him in the battles to finish the job. There is so much more to be said, but this is just food for thought. What are your thoughts?
Tags: American Mythology, Mission and Menace, Robert Jewett, Superheroes
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November 12, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Sweet post. I love movies too. The Dark Knight was absolutely my favorite movie this year, thus far. I think it’s worth noting, too, that one of the most profound differences between the story of Jesus and the hero myth, is how the catharsis (resolution, victory, etc.) is brought about in each story. In the story of Jesus, there is this sacrifice. He in effect, loses, against his Roman and Jewish capters allowing himself to be brutally murdered by them. I’d like to see a superhero movie end that way! (of course, the reason we have hope is that we believe Jesus’ story didn’t end that way either, but it serves the point).
Earlier in the book Jewett makes a strong connection between the superhero myth, and to fairly dark parts of our nation’s history, such as our demonization of the American Indian, and our lauding of figures who employ sacrificial violence such as John Brown. The success of the super hero myth in our culture, should say more to us than simply that we like a certain genre for its entertainment value, but rather that these films and stories betray deeply held ethoses, that resonant very strongly for us as Americans, and which have very real implication for our public and foreign policies.
As an aside, I thought the Dark Knight was nearing a subversive myth in this arena. Very interesting that Batman refuses to kill anyone, and though I won’t give anything away, I think the final scene between the two ferries, is a very strong comment on the myth of sacrificial violence.
November 12, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Where did you find the earlier connection Jewett made? I see the point about the dark parts and violence. I think that is what Jewett was getting at in the quote I took from his book but didn’t really have time to completely go into it.
I also like your addition to the contrast of Jesus and the superhero myth- Jesus’ loss is the difference. I think we did see allusions to that in The Dark Knight- as Batman chooses to lose in a way in the end, a death of reputation.
The Dark Knight is my favorite movie this year as well. I’m hoping for an Oscar nod!
November 12, 2008 at 5:35 pm
I also enjoyed this post. Since I was little I have loved the superhero genre. I agree with creets about how Jesus’ story is unlike the common superhero story. I also loved the Dark Knight and all the story was trying to point to.
However, I feel a different superhero might connect more to the Christian faith than that of a Batman, Superman, or Spider-man. That superhero is a group of individuals called the X-Men. I love this story because they group is a part of the marginalized people, called mutants, and that the group is only strongest when they work together as a team. Another connection is that the X-Men are striving to bring peace between humans and mutants; which means they must fight against both mutant and human to find peace. As Christians we are only strong when we all work together as the body of Christ. We are also the bringers of peace and have to bring light not only to the outsiders but sometimes to the insiders who have fallen away.
Anyways great post and bring more like it. I also want the Dark Knight to get an Oscar!
November 19, 2008 at 11:43 am
Hey, sorry about the lateness of my reply re: the connection between the superhero myth and the demonization of American Indians (Mission and Menace 35-37), and the glorification of figures like John Brown (118-122). If you’re still interested.