Kenna Keller - Avatar Expedition
Batman represents a reliance on wealth, physical strength and obsessive passion. He is shaped less by the presence of loving, doting parents and strong family ties and more on the prospect of independence. He is charming and persuasive in an incredibly 'masculine' manner, living out his adulthood by expertly handling bad guys in the fictional Gotham City.
While I admire and relate to aspects of his commitment to justice, I can recognize differences in the two of us not just in gender, age, and socioeconomic status but noticeably in demeanor as well as circumstance. I don't identify as a particularly brave person, and have never really identified with any classic 'hero'. I also attribute much of my growth to my relationships with my parents and my reliance on family.
"Glass shatters suddenly and two costumed men come tumbling through the window. As one darts off, the larger one stands tall. He is costumed in a mask and cape, a symbol of strength, prowess, and justice. He takes a look around the factory, mechanical parts on conveyor belts shuddering to a stop as workers take notice.
Most of us have been toiling away for 12 hour shifts for as long as we can remember, slowly aggregating robotic parts, to be used in some mystery manner, for the boss, the boss's boss, and so on. Conditions are terrible, the older workers have been falling behind for days and everyone is sick.
The masked man surveys us all slowly, then darts into action. He begins gathering everyone, shouting orders at us to get out. We hurriedly form lines, darting out the broken window, helping the elderly, enticed by the prospect of freedom. I stay, and quietly follow the masked man.
He makes his way down hallway after hallway, stopping occasionally to listen intently or peer into empty rooms. The silence gives way to maniacal laughing from the corner office. The man slips inside and I settle into a crouch, observing through the cracked door.
The two figures circle each other slowly, neither taking their eyes from the prize. I can't hear the content of their hushed conversation but can make out words here and there. "Exploiting"... "cruel misuse of technology"... "ends today".
The altercation becomes physical and the two men are thrashed about the room. One lands a blow, then the other. It is almost impossible to tell who has the upper hand. Eventually the masked hero finds himself pinning the villain against the far wall. I am suddenly pushed out of the way by uniformed law enforcement, rushing into the room. I peel my eyes from the scene as I am diverted back down the hallway and into the bright sunshine."
While I admire and relate to aspects of his commitment to justice, I can recognize differences in the two of us not just in gender, age, and socioeconomic status but noticeably in demeanor as well as circumstance. I don't identify as a particularly brave person, and have never really identified with any classic 'hero'. I also attribute much of my growth to my relationships with my parents and my reliance on family.
"Glass shatters suddenly and two costumed men come tumbling through the window. As one darts off, the larger one stands tall. He is costumed in a mask and cape, a symbol of strength, prowess, and justice. He takes a look around the factory, mechanical parts on conveyor belts shuddering to a stop as workers take notice.
Most of us have been toiling away for 12 hour shifts for as long as we can remember, slowly aggregating robotic parts, to be used in some mystery manner, for the boss, the boss's boss, and so on. Conditions are terrible, the older workers have been falling behind for days and everyone is sick.
The masked man surveys us all slowly, then darts into action. He begins gathering everyone, shouting orders at us to get out. We hurriedly form lines, darting out the broken window, helping the elderly, enticed by the prospect of freedom. I stay, and quietly follow the masked man.
He makes his way down hallway after hallway, stopping occasionally to listen intently or peer into empty rooms. The silence gives way to maniacal laughing from the corner office. The man slips inside and I settle into a crouch, observing through the cracked door.
The two figures circle each other slowly, neither taking their eyes from the prize. I can't hear the content of their hushed conversation but can make out words here and there. "Exploiting"... "cruel misuse of technology"... "ends today".
The altercation becomes physical and the two men are thrashed about the room. One lands a blow, then the other. It is almost impossible to tell who has the upper hand. Eventually the masked hero finds himself pinning the villain against the far wall. I am suddenly pushed out of the way by uniformed law enforcement, rushing into the room. I peel my eyes from the scene as I am diverted back down the hallway and into the bright sunshine."
Comments
Post a Comment