Heroes have always been a part of written stories. Heroes from Greek mythology often had super-human characteristics, but also had fatal flaws, and often met with tragic ends because of these flaws. The era post World War I and II created comic book heroes that did not seem to have any flaws. The current super-heroes all seem to be dark heroes – heroes that may not always do acceptable (legal) things, but overall may have good intentions. One similarity that many hero stories share is the monomyth, or hero’s journey, as you read about in this week’s unit.
Be sure to address the following in your presentation:
- Discuss how the character of one Hero or Superhero (fictional) reflects the times that they are written. You may select a fictional hero from any era, however, you should be comfortable describing that era’s culture as well.
- Explain why this hero would resonate with the general era in which they were written.
- Describe the elements of the monomyth that are apparent in this hero’s story. HINT! Utilize a template like the one listed below to break down each part of the monomyth.
Specifications:
Submission: A 10-12 slide PowerPoint presentation or Prezi that answers the questions posed above. Include speaker notes or a voice-over, images, and videos where applicable. If you choose the voice-over option, you will upload your recording web link (URL).
In your presentation:
- Provide speaker’s notes or a voice over on the PowerPoint to accompany each slide. If you choose speaker’s notes, the total word count of your notes should be 800-1000 words. If you choose to create a voice-over recording your presentation should be 5-7 minutes long.
- Include a title slide and include your references page in APA format on the last slide of the presentation.
Helpful Resources:
- A visual overview of the Monomyth/Hero’s Journey can be found at (Links to an external site.).
- Prezi would be especially interesting to use for this assignment! If you are new to using Prezi, check out this example online of a presentation using Prezi: (Links to an external site.)
- Screencast-o-matic is an easy, free tool to use to create your voice over. Get free access at (Links to an external site.)
- If you are new to using Screencast-o-matic, tutorials are available at
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: The assignment given to medical college students revolves around discussing the concept of heroes and superheroes from various eras. The students are asked to select a fictional hero and analyze how the character reflects the times it was created. Additionally, they need to explain why the hero would resonate with the general era in which it was written and describe how the monomyth is evident in the character’s story.
Answer: The character that I would select for this assignment would be Superman, who was created during the Great Depression era. Superman was introduced to the audience at a time when the world faced economic, social, and political turmoil. The Great Depression had paralyzed the world’s economy, leaving many jobless and struggling to survive. Additionally, the rise of fascism and nationalism threatened the world with the possibility of another world war. Against this backdrop, Superman was created as the perfect hero who could fight injustice and help humanity in its time of need.
Superman resonated with the era for various reasons. Firstly, he embodied the American ideals of justice, truth, and morality. As an immigrant, Superman was an outsider, but his American values of democracy and freedom made him one with the people. In the comics, Superman fought against corrupt politicians, organized crime, and the Axis powers, representing the aspirations of the American people against the forces that threatened their way of life.
Furthermore, the elements of the monomyth that are apparent in Superman’s story are evident. According to the hero’s journey, the hero must undergo several stages, including the call to adventure, the refusal of the call, and the crossing of the threshold. Superman’s journey begins when he is sent to Earth in a rocketship by his parents from the dying planet of Krypton. The call to adventure comes when he discovers his powers and decides to use them to help humanity. Superman’s refusal of the call occurs when he is torn between his loyalty to his Kryptonian heritage and his duty as a protector of Earth. Finally, his crossing of the threshold occurs when he becomes a superhero and saves the world from evil.
In conclusion, Superman is a hero who reflects the times in which he was created. His story is a testament to the American values of justice, freedom, and democracy. His journey embodies the monomyth, which is evident in the various stages he undergoes to become a superhero. Overall, Superman’s story is a timeless classic that continues to inspire generations of people around the world.
