Is Superman A Jesus Metaphor? - Page 4

StarvingArtist · 10-23-2012, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lead Cenobite

Why? It's a metaphor, it's not like they literally changed his name to Jesus and turned Krypton into Heaven. I never understood why this sticks in people's craws so much.

I just don't like it when filmmakers, writers, artists make it preachy. Like in Superman Returns. That movie just bothers the **** out of me.

storyteller · 11-24-2012, 10:47 PM

I think it's hard to avoid it. He's a god like figure who is on the level. He doesn't want anything except peace,girlfriend, and a 9 to 5 job.

That person · 11-25-2012, 06:42 PM

As a Christian, it's hard for me not to draw parallels between the two. The idea of this immensely powerful being being sent to live among us, choosing to live as one of us, participating in our nature, and using his great abilities selflessly to help us is pretty Christ-like, and those are just things that are intrinsic to the character. Does this mean they should draw these elements out? Maybe, if it helps tell the story. SR tried to draw out Superman as a Christ figure, but never seemed entirely clear about just how he was one and opted for teh symbolismz!, which worked out pretty disappointingly. That doesn't mean it can't be used more effectively, and I'd be delighted to see that happen, but it's not really necessary.

Happy Jack · 11-25-2012, 07:07 PM

I'm not sure that they can remove the Christian symbolism. Superman is without a doubt the most Christ-like of all superheroes and the ways in which he is; being in a god-like position of power, having a powerful father who sends him to earth to protect it (also not unlike Moses), even the smaller things like him being raised by humble people and living a mundane life until well into adulthood. All of these things are intrinsic to Clark Kent/Superman and you cannot remove them. It doesn't mean that you should add things to make it more overt like Superman making a crucifix pose or dying and being resurrected. But the very nature of the story is going to have some Christian parallels; that's just the way it is.

Lencho01 · 11-25-2012, 08:27 PM

I really don't see how it's hard to avoid turning him into some Jesus metaphor.

LeXcalibur · 05-04-2013, 02:30 AM

i don't mind the metaphor when done subtle. i think superman returns may have went over the top, and in the most recent man of steel trailer the scene looks like it was directed by bryan singer

11-24-2012, 10:47 PM	#77
storyteller Side-Kick Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 3,489	Re: Is Superman A Jesus Metaphor? I think it's hard to avoid it. He's a god like figure who is on the level. He doesn't want anything except peace,girlfriend, and a 9 to 5 job. __________________ ------------------------------------------ Its time to be a man..................and run away.

11-25-2012, 06:42 PM	#78
That person Bull Moose Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 419	Re: Is Superman A Jesus Metaphor? As a Christian, it's hard for me not to draw parallels between the two. The idea of this immensely powerful being being sent to live among us, choosing to live as one of us, participating in our nature, and using his great abilities selflessly to help us is pretty Christ-like, and those are just things that are intrinsic to the character. Does this mean they should draw these elements out? Maybe, if it helps tell the story. SR tried to draw out Superman as a Christ figure, but never seemed entirely clear about just how he was one and opted for teh symbolismz!, which worked out pretty disappointingly. That doesn't mean it can't be used more effectively, and I'd be delighted to see that happen, but it's not really necessary. __________________ "Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., nicknamed "Teddy" or "TR", was born October 27, 1858 in New York City. As a young child, he was often sick and was stricken with asthma. Viewing this as a challenge, he proceeded to beat his asthma to death."- Cracked

11-25-2012, 07:07 PM	#79
Happy Jack Dickensian Archetype Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The Depths Posts: 5,217	Re: Is Superman A Jesus Metaphor? I'm not sure that they can remove the Christian symbolism. Superman is without a doubt the most Christ-like of all superheroes and the ways in which he is; being in a god-like position of power, having a powerful father who sends him to earth to protect it (also not unlike Moses), even the smaller things like him being raised by humble people and living a mundane life until well into adulthood. All of these things are intrinsic to Clark Kent/Superman and you cannot remove them. It doesn't mean that you should add things to make it more overt like Superman making a crucifix pose or dying and being resurrected. But the very nature of the story is going to have some Christian parallels; that's just the way it is. __________________ This should be agony I should be a mass of aching muscle Broken, spent, unable to move And were I an older man, I surely would But I'm a man of thirty, of twenty again The rain on my chest is a baptism I'm born again

11-25-2012, 08:27 PM	#80
Lencho01 Shazoogle! Shazoogle! Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 8,374	Re: Is Superman A Jesus Metaphor? I really don't see how it's hard to avoid turning him into some Jesus metaphor. __________________ I was at some diplomatic party once. Got to talking to this princess who told me that when it came to Superman, I was missing the point. She told me, "His real strength lay in his generous spirit and sense of what's fair." - King Faraday

05-04-2013, 02:30 AM	#81
LeXcalibur Lord Luthor Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 290	Re: Is Superman A Jesus Metaphor? i don't mind the metaphor when done subtle. i think superman returns may have went over the top, and in the most recent man of steel trailer the scene looks like it was directed by bryan singer

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