Is Superman A Jesus Metaphor?

[StarvingArtist]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Brother Jack]

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]

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

 

[LeXcalibur]

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

 

[alexpeebles1987]

I have heard this before and I wonder about it myself because seems like it is the case. The makers were Jewish so it very well could be that they incorporated it without even knowing it due to their culture and upbringing.

It is also expected that people would see Superman as Moses because Moses is in fact a shadow of Jesus, which is why his story fits so well. But When looking at MoS it is seems like the directors were definitely aiming for a Christ Metaphor(and just in case, for anyone wondering, Jesus Christ is not a first and last name, Christ is the greek word for messiah), specifically the scene where he is in a Christ suffering pose when exiting Zod's ship above Earth's orbit going to rescue Lois Lane.

Now, with any metaphor, you are going to have some failures to match up. Superman just isn't quite Jesus, it's to be expected. Superman was created by man, and Man created God. It only makes sense that we couldn't do better or even match up.

So, I would say that there are a lot of things that just match up too well for Superman to not be a metaphor for Jesus. I mean the S means savior right? A sign of Hope? (just kidding, I know it isn't really an S guys.... or so they say)

 

[Smashlilman]

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

Superman allowing the Military to hand him over to the Krytonians was a parallel to Jesus allowing the Pharisees to hand him over to the Romans. That was a nice subtle parallel that didn't come off as preachy. Unlike the "You can save them all" floaty Jesus arm moment.

 

[charl_huntress]

He can be and a lot of that is plays into the mythos in general, but I'm more with Starving on this.

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.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I wonder what Jesus would have done in the situation they put Superman in at the end of MOS...

Now there is a debate!

 

[Smashlilman]

I wonder what Jesus would have done in the situation they put Superman in at the end of MOS...

Now there is a debate!

Read the end of the Book of Revelation. Jesus is suppose to kill a lot of people. I mean Jesus himself.