12/12/07
Superman that Lit. Class
So, what should literature classes read? I found our discussion over whether or not Superman comics could be incorporated into a college level class particularly interesting, especially since people seemed so divided on the issue. I for one think it is definitely possible to include Superman in a college curriculum and still have an intellectual element within the course. For instance, we examine works such as fairy tales and children's literature in classes and find intellectual value within those works, so what makes a work like Superman any different? Perhaps, yes, it is a bit more modern, however, I think that works that our society produces today has value, especially when students are asked to compare them to more classical literature. Questions could be raised in a class that examines Superman and the Odyssey together. For instance, what elements does one have that the other doesn't? Why or why not will Superman stand the test of time, like the Odyssey? Students can then also examine the change in values and ways of thinking in the different time periods as well. I think it is important to ask our students to ask themselves why what they read in class is important...then they aren't just being told to read something but can consider its possible value and form an opinion on their own.
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MARY KATE ALSO POSTED THE PREVIOUS POSTING.
I agree with Mary Kate. We talked about it in class, how you can study Superman as a modern myth, and I mentioned that one could use Superman to better understand the dichotomy of Myth and Human, what it is to be the, as Eco says, "predictable" hero like Superman, and the challenges that the human Clark Kent faces; How are these things present in the individuals analyzing this content? It applies to the human condition, and isn't that what literature is exploring? (Cliche, I know, but it's true, right?)
The fact that the content of a Superman comic book is inferior to what is in the more respected "master canon" is not grounds to dismiss it as something we can glean knowledge from. Some would argue that the medium, as a graphic novel, does not qualify as "literary," but I think that it is not so easy to draw that boundary if we think about the way we examine dramatic literature. We don't only look at the text, the words, what is spoken, but we look at what the characters DO. The actions of the characters are just as valid for analysis as the words they speak. In the same way, it is not as important (at least in my experience) to the graphic novel genre to have complexity of text that could rival Shakespeare, but it is rather what the characters DO in the course of the story that should be open to scrutiny and examined, especially in light of the rather discardable dialogue.
Also--going back to the Fish argument regarding the List vs. Poem--if his students could deduce so much meaning simply from the professor changing the surface "structure" of a list and making it seem like a poem, would Superman almost be MORE "literary" than that, and therefore more worthy of analysis?
That's Kyle, sorry.
Amy's post is quite interesting. I agree that Superman definitely has value and can be taught in a college course. One statement struck me, though:"so what makes a work like Superman any different? Perhaps, yes, it is a bit more modern." While Amy gives modern work credit, I think statements like this are ridiculously common when speaking about literature. I would have to say that a lot of modern and contemporary literature does not get the attention and praise it deserves. This is a changing world, and as it changes, whatever we value changes. Contemporary literature reflects 'our' time and what is going on in 'our' world.
I also agree that more modern works can help to understand classics. The classic stories of the hero are alluded to and cited in many works. If someone cannot grasp the classic story, why not show them a copy of Superman? The themes that they may not understand in a Greek myth, may become clear after a couple issues of Superman. In my opinion, graphic novels can be very engaging. They have so much depth, and honestly, sometimes it is just nice to see something that incorporates visual art with text (especially after reading textbook after textbook).
P.S. Nice title...it is one of the reasons I actually posted so late.
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