Themes

Themes centered around our hero - Private

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Revenge

​Often the revenge is due to the death of a loved one. The lead to a wider mission, one that serves the greater good.

-Spider-Man

-Batman

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Truth/Justice (The American Way)

​Many of the heroes on screen are heroes because they shoulder the responsibility. They are able to use their powers to help people.

They are all motivated by truth and justice. This type of motivation is very idealistic

​To reinforce these idealistic superheros we are often offered contrasts to many 'real-life' powerful figures who often pop up as caricatures who frequently use their power to help themselves.

-Binary Opposition - Contrast - Good vs Bad

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Self-Preservation/Self-Sacrifice

Bruce Banner goes on the run to protect himself from the attentions of the US military - SP

However, this location makes his quest for a cure much more difficult - SS

 

Redemption

Making good for previous wrongs. Mostly associated with villians

Henry gives him self up and let's himself to save Peter at the end of Spider-Man 3

-Personal Identity - Uses and Gratification - Learn important lessons

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Relationships

​Common form of emotion. Love. Family and friends.

-Spider-Man and Mary Jane's love

-Teams - Fantastic Four/X-Men - Small family

-Personal Identity/Personal Relationships - Uses and Gratifications - Audience lives through the characters

 

Moral Question
Right and wrong of their actions. Is Transgression (Law breaking) in the cause of good, right or wrong?

Superman - True Justice
Punisher - Their Justice

Kick Ass - Big Daddy - Ruthless

-Binary Opposition - Right or Wrong - Batman using darkness for good

-The audience relates to less ruthless heroes for their good morals
 

Choices

When heroes make choices concerning them

Dark Knight - Turn himself in or not

Superman turning back time to save Lois Lane

-Personal Identity

-Binary Opposition - Yes or No

-"What would you do?"

Themes centered around the public - Bigger Picture

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Science and Technology

​Technology can be seen as a threat when misused but as a saviour when used for good.

Science - Spider-Man comics - Radioactive Spider

           - Film - Genetically re-engineered super spider

-Binary Opposition - Good vs Evil

-Audience has suspicions over the heroes use of such things and leaves us with a sense of dis-trust.

 

Discrimination

​Common theme seen in superhero films.

Tackles societies views towards certain issues like homophobia - Seen as a disease - X-Men

Discrimination against women - Very little women are seen as these great heroes

-Personal Identity - Audience can relate to discrimination

-Binary Opposition - X-Men - Humans vs Mutants

-Reception Theory - Preferred Reading - Audience agrees with certain morals in the films

 

Society

​Directs our subjects of fears and suspicions
Dark Knight - Joker makes citizens kill each other but society proves him wrong by showing that they are still humans

-Terrorism - Joker

-Government

-War - Tony Stark

-Economy

-Law

Binary Opposition - Different political sides - Left Wing and Right wing

Reception Theory

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​​Right and Wrong

Links to Moral Question. Suggests if the villains actions are justified or not.

Wrong - Joker/Venom

Right - Doc Oc/Sandman

-Superheroes known as vigilantes - they take the law into their own hands