A forgotten alley way-

A forgotten alley way in Gotham City leaves you nothing, but the echoing sounds of car horns, shards of broken glass, snarling gargoyles, moaning cats, the ascending steam from sewer holes, and a dimly lit street light that casts a gloomy reflection from the moon. Your adrenaline has kicked into high gear after successfully pick-pocketing the bill fold off a finely dressed man waiting for a bus around the corner. You lay low with your back against a moist, cold brick wall and a slight smirk, as you finger through the green money. Your heart beats with anticipation and you’re breathing rapidly, yet they both suddenly cease as you struggle to comprehend what exactly it is that is grasping you firmly by the collar. A tall, black as the night, captivating white-eyed, pointy-eared figure, engulfed by a batwing-like cape stands above you, suffocating every square inch of your personal space. It’s too late to pull out the switchblade or revolver, for his rasping voice draws your immediate attention, “I am Batman.”

The Myth behind the Caped Hero

Superman is the mythical caped crusader with a heart full of gold and a willingness to preserve peace and justice. The citizens who knew him and appreciated the deeds of this superhero would gaze in awe and say that he is “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.” Superman entered the American culture during the mid 1930’s. At this time, the United States was in the midst of a deep depression. Not only had people lost money, but also their spirits had fallen. What the country needed the most was a superhero to lead them from their despair. Psychologically, Superman arrived at the right time. He became the superhero who helped us regain the American Spirit.

Joseph Campbell, the author of The Hero with a Thousand Faces, has made a study of the mythological superheroes of many cultures; both ancient and modern. From this study Campbell has devised a list of criteria of which these heroes share. It is interesting to note that both ancient and modern heroes have at least some of the elements on the list that Campbell devised. The story of Superman follows Campbell’s fourth function of mythology. This is “the psychological function: that, namely, of shaping individuals to the aims and ideals of the various social groups, bearing them from birth to death to the course of a human life” (186). Moreover, Superman represents fundamental values threatened by 20th century wars and economic crises, righting wrongs and providing justice for all. By using Joseph Campbell’s hero cycle entitled The Keys, the reader discovers how Superman is called to adventure, crosses the path of helpers along the threshold of adventure, and is given many difficult tasks which he must overcome.

One of the criteria on Campbell’s list is the “call to adventure” which states that all superheroes appear to follow a pattern of having an unusual birth and/or childhood. Campbell states “The mythological hero, setting forth his common day hut or castle, is lured, carried away, or else voluntarily proceeds, to the threshold of adventure “(74). Superman follows this pattern as he is not an earthling, but is a native of the planet Krypton. His birth name is Kal-El, and he is sent to earth by his parents when the planet Krypton begins to gradually die. Jor-El, Superman’s father, is described as a brilliant scientist; we know little of his mother. However, his father is very important and might even be royalty. We know that this will be an unusual character when Kal-El arrives in Kansas in a small, tubular space ship during a meteor storm.

Another criteria Campbell states in his hero cycle is that the hero will eventually cross the path of a helper. According to Campbell, “The hero journeys though a world of unfamiliar yet strangely intimate forces, some of which severely threaten him (tests), some of which give magical aid (helpers)” (74). The first helpers in the superman myth are Martha and Jonathan Kent, an older couple who live on a farm in Kansas. They find the baby Kal-El in his space ship wrapped in a red cape at the crash site. They decide not to take him to an orphanage but to raise him as their own son. Superman’s foster parents are very different from his biological parents because they do not have much money nor are they considered royalty. Martha and Jonathan decide to name their baby Clark Jerome Kent after her maiden name. Clark’s foster parents are excellent helpers, raising Superman to be kind, respectful, and honorable. They not only help the young Superman realize his extraordinary potential as an athlete, but also teach him how to relate socially and be kind to others. Early in his life, Superman realizes that he is different. He is aware of his supernatural powers. He has x-ray and heat vision, the ability to fly, and super human strength. Realizing that he is different, Jonathan and Martha consistently communicate truths to him that will help the future Superman benefit mankind and protect the innocent from danger. Thus, these two helpers instill in Superman the American values that, coupled with his other-worldly powers, make Superman the quick essential American hero.

Campbell also states that the hero will have some tests that will severely threaten him. Keeping his supernatural abilities from earthlings is a test. Clark must keep his superman identity secret so that he can fit in with not only the other employees of the Daily Planet, but all others who might oppose him. The Daily Planet is a major metropolitan newspaper located in the city of Metropolis where Clark is employed as a reporter. Clark must keep a “nerdy” reputation in order to disguise himself. While working with the newspaper, he meets a young, beautiful woman, Lois Lane. Many hero myths include a romantic element, and according to Campbell’s hero cycle, Lois Lane, may represent “the hero’s sexual union with the goddess-mother of the world (sacred marriage)” (74). In many ways, Lois is a helper, but she also represents one of his tests, for Lois is an intelligent, modern-day woman whom Clark is very attracted to. Clark realizes that Lois has a “crush” on Superman, but must refrain from revealing his feelings and identity. In fact, in order to keep his secrecy from Lois and the public, he must first change into his Superman costume. This also is a task because he must find a place to change; most often Clark uses a convenient phone booth. Clark and Lois together discover many deadly plots aimed at the destruction of mankind, but it is left to Superman to save the world from all threatening evil.

The supreme ordeal takes place in the caped crusader’s journey when he encounters the evil and indestructible Doomsday. Doomsday is from Superman’s native planet Krypton and is the result of a cloning experiment gone all wrong. Doomsday possesses a level of strength and invulnerability equal to Superman himself. This to date is one of Superman’s greatest adversaries. In this adventure, which occurs when Superman is at the height of his powers, he battles with the evil Doomsday. This battle is waged from Ohio to the city of Metropolis. The consequence of Superman’s victory during this supreme ordeal is that the world is safe from evil. In the end of a great war, Superman dies or at least we are told that he is dead. However, he does not really die, but is diagnosed with a severe head injury which leads to a coma. This represents resurrection in Joseph Campbell’s hero cycle: “The hero re-emerges from the kingdom of dread (return, resurrection). The boon that he brings restores the world (elixir)” (74). Upon his return, Superman continues to fly the skies and save all innocent beings from disaster, and this dedication to protecting the innocent from harm is the very “elixir” that 20th century American public felt looking in the world and in our society.

In The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell states, “Freud, Jung, and their followers have demonstrated irrefutably that the logic, the heroes, and the deeds of myth survive into modern times” (73). Clark Kent, aka Superman, lives today as the ultimate American superhero. Upon the top of a building, Superman with his red cape flowing like waves in the wind represents the pride and honor that both young and old Americans’ feel for their country. Superman protects the innocent, cares for the disabled, and fights for the American way.

Status: Double O

Growing up, I was heavily influenced by toys, comics, sports, family, and movies. A significant character that has always captivated my interest in stories would have to be the fictional British secret agent, James Bond. In the early 1960’s, Ian Fleming, who worked for British naval intelligence during World War 11, introduced the world to this new hero. He was daring, courageous. The ladies loved his company. He drove fast cars through unexplainable situations, and used the most sophisticated gadgets. The birth of Agent 007 would forever change the world of espionage in writing, and make numerous superstars in Hollywood’s entertainment industry. Espionage has everyone’s attention whether it is written in an exciting story or captured on camera in a motion picture. One reason I enjoyed getting lost in the James Bond book was that espionage from Ian Fleming’s stories helped my mind escape from reality. I also wanted to read Fleming’s series of the mysterious and action-packed secret agent because they were very popular. Ian Fleming’s twelve books sold more than eighteen million copies nationwide. But most of all, James Bond was a hero I could identify with because of his tenacious attitude towards life and the will to work hard for what he wanted to accomplish in life. These traits have sparked my imagination and helped me grow into a more creative person.

I remember when I was in third grade at Hill Middle School, my grandpa gave me my first James Bond 007 book to read. The book was The Spy Who Loved Me written by Ian Fleming in 1962 and was an original from that year. The story involves U.S and Russian submarines missing which creates tension between the neighboring countries. Agent 007 teams up with one of his many Bond girls, Anya Amosava, and together they find out the hidden truths behind an extremely wealthy, powerful man by the name of Stromburg. His job is essential regarding the shipping industry, and his journey takes him from mountain top skiing, to the pyramids of Egypt and finally to the depths of the ocean where he defeats the villain Stromburg. I enjoyed imagining myself in this hero’s role, but what I remember most are the amazing gadgets which sparked my imagination during my childhood. For example, Bond had a cigarette case which converted to a microfilm viewer, a wristwatch with ticker-tape readout and of course his Lotus which transformed into a submarine.

I dreamed of using all of the sophisticated gadgets that James Bond used. Q, the British wizard of inventions, and James’ friend, influenced me to wonder about how technology would be utilized in the future. In the stories concerning Q and his relationship with Bond, Q never expected gratitude for his work, all he hoped was that his specially crafted tools be returned “in pristine order.” Throughout my childhood, I dreamed of melting objects with an ordinary pair of sunglasses or wear a watch that could spit out poisoned darts. Agent 007 had everything that ranged from his Walther PPK 7.65mm gun in Dr. No to an ordinary suitcase that concealed 40 rounds of ammunition, a throwing knife, 50 gold coins, a sniper rifle, and a talcum-powder can with a tear-gas canister that would only destruct by a magnetic sensor. Q’s inventions were always a step above the times. In Tomorrow Never Dies, his cell phone even doubled as a fingerprint scanner. Some of the more popular toys were his cars. In the early books, he drove a fully equipped Aston Martin DB5, including built-in machine guns, hubcaps with tire slashing blades and its own tracking device. During school as a youngster, I would sketch my own gadgets. I remember one that I drew when I was about ten. It was a unique shoe that released slippery oil from the heel and a flame thrower that could spread an intense stream of flame over 50 feet into the air. This is only one example of the many imaginative sketches I have completed over the years.

Besides the inventiveness of Bond’s gadgets, Mr. Fleming created the character of 007 to be the perfect gentleman. He is an agent fighting with fierce determination and honor. His personal appearance and ambition to succeed, and his success with women were all qualities I admired and have tried to emulate in my life. He had an incredible ability to think on his feet, superb fighting skills, and an unwavering commitment to any mission, however dangerous. Bond kept his mind on the task which had to be accomplished. This has made him the ultimate secret agent during the time of crisis. This series continues to interest its readers, as Bond continues to defeat a variety of evil villains. By overcoming his fears with courage, Bond brought class to action books and movies. The British spy, James Bond, as a character, provided me with an excellent role model.

James Bond is a “Licensed To Kill” action figure that most men would strive to be like, especially since he gets all the ladies he has ever wanted, drives amazing cars, uses secret weapons that the mind can only imagine and explores all over the world and identifies with other cultures. James Bond was exciting for me to try to emulate as a young boy, but when I matured, I realized that I could only admire him and could not practically pursue my fantasy of the glamorous spy. Nevertheless, it gave me great pleasure to read a few of Mr. Fleming’s works for they continue to spark my imagination and helped me to become a more creative person. Thank you so much Mr. Fleming.

Wings of a Bird- Dream Interpretation

During the summer of 1996, I had a very vivid dream. I participated for a Novato boy’s basketball team and was heavily influenced by the National Basketball Association or NBA. My friends and I would sometimes wake up early on Sunday mornings to play at Lynwood Elementary school. A dream that has influenced me to think differently would be the dream about NBA Legend Larry Bird. Larry Bird has been an idol of mine for quite some time. He had beyond the ordinary discipline, unselfish attitude, and decisive play making capabilities unlike anyone I had ever seen before. A legend is someone that will never be forgotten and who will always be remembered. Larry accomplished that and more as soon as he entered the league in 1979. Larry had the talent and the determination. I have been playing basketball since I could barely walk. My father purchased a miniature Bird hoop that was set up in the backyard. The following is my description of that one dream that has influenced me.

I was on vacation with my parents in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. We were staying in a hotel very close to the Boston Garden. The Boston Garden is where Larry and the Celtics used to play all of their home games. I told my parents that I wanted to see it, so they gave me a day to do just that. As soon as I walked up to the gate, the security guard said, “Wait just to make sure I need a photo ID.” I pulled out my passport and the guard remarked, “We have been expecting you Mr. Hageman, we hope you enjoy the tour!” A tour guide walked me around the large, silent as night arena. It definitely did not resemble a garden by the name it was given. I gazed at the sky which held each and every World Championship rafter that hung from high above. There was a rack of balls in the center of half court. My brain tingled with temptation as I felt a sudden urge to aim and shoot at the basket. The security guard approved of the idea by pointing his elongated index finger towards the court with a smile. I was free to take some shots if I wished. He helped remove my jacket and watch, while I emptied my pockets of loose change. I jogged towards the wooden checkered beast, the parquet court, which had an aroma of sweet pine finishing swept through my nostrils.

As I approached mid-court, I observed the winking leprechaun which depicted the teams’ dominance and logo. I started heating up from beyond the arc. I was having so much fun that time seemed to have slipped by me. There I stood alone at the free throw line when I gazed back at the seats to find my tour guide. He was gone and I was now even more excited to play. I gazed back at the rim and bounced the ball a couple of more times. I took a deep breath, but as soon as I was about to release the ball, a loud echoing slam came from behind my shadows. It sounded as if though someone had dropped a ball on the checkered beast. I turned my head slowly to secretly observe what had just happened. There stood a 6’9” bleached white specimen with long curly golden hair. He asked with a deep voice, “Do you want to shoot around?” It was a green and white giant with warm up pants named Larry Bird. Larry and I went over many exercises and three point contests. After the games, Larry showed me his old locker and snagged a little brown box. He gently placed the box onto the palm of my hand. I gave him one last hand shake and left the Boson Garden with a smile on my face. I did not open the box until after we arrived back at the hotel room later that night.

As I lay isolated upon my bed, I tried to depict what exactly Larry’s gift was and how it should be used. It was a golden ticket to the 2011 NBA Championship game. It was weird because how could there be tickets already made in advance to a game almost ten years into the future? Ten years pass and I am sitting courtside to a Boston Celtics game with my fiancée. It was a dark and windy night in Boston. The home team was playing a successful Chicago Bulls team. It was the final Game 7 for the World Championship. The opening began and the starters were about to be introduced. The lights dimmed and the towering scoreboard ignited the room with vivacious colors and patterns. The announcer uplifted the crowd with excitement as he roared the names of the five starting Celtic players. The fifth and final player to be introduced was me! On the back of number 12’s jersey read HAGEMAN. The dream concludes with me on the shoulders of my fellow teammates and in my hands are two shiny, golden trophies, the Championship trophy and the series MVP. I woke up after that and never had this dream again.

However, my dream has led me to suspicion to what exactly the significance of this dream may have represented. It is believed that when there is a home in your dream it symbolizes your “spirit.” Well the gym is like my home in a sense. My spirit is ultimately my passion for the game of basketball. Without the game, I have absolutely no clue where or how I would be. What can I say-I love it so much! There are many symbols that I can get from this dream. I met my mythological “hero” Larry Bird. I was playing the game that I love. I was 12 years old when this dream occurred which is right in the prime when I was fascinated with the game of Basketball. I believe my dream was one of a wish fulfillment. I idolize the Bird man and respected his style of play. He was the first one to practice, and the last one to leave. This dream had a huge impact on the way I perceived the game. I built up confidence in myself and practiced almost everyday for the rest of my school career and beyond. I wanted respect every time I walked onto a court. I feel proud when my opponents tell each other to defend me tight and to not let me shoot. This dream altered my individualism concerning practice methods for the game I love. Overall, this dream was very positive and I now understand that knowledge is essential on being aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses.

Bourgeois Hero- His Royal Airness

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”-Michael Jordan

The image genre that is most meaningful to me is the use of ads and their influence on people. The sub-genre that I would like to discuss along with this very notion is sports celebrity endorsements for the ads themselves. The image above tells it all. We are being asked to take one track and analyze its meaningfulness, well boy do I have a lot to discuss. I must be able to distinguish between the uses and abuses of how this image of “His Royal Airness,” can have such an overwhelming influence on how people imagine themselves.
America is driven by consumption, the ideology of capitalism. The capitalist society that we are members of, is a society loaded with consumers. Consumerism is achieving personal happiness by the material possessions we own. The economic system of the U.S would not survive without mass consumption. The desire to own and to want, controls our everyday lives as we are exposed to thousands of advertisements. These products can be promoted through several different ways. One effective method of advertisement is celebrity endorsement. Through this method, a celebrity is incorporated into a commercial or paper advertisement with the ultimate goal of persuading the target audience. The iconic figure or celebrity that promotes the product is normally a well-known person who has an influential impact in the pop culture world. These people can be seen as “heroes” by the media entertainment industry.

If these celebrities can be thought of as heroes, then one must question: what characterizes a hero? Is a hero a valiant soldier who faces the enemy when others run away or a firefighter who attacks hell’s kitchen head on by breaking through the window of a burning building? One of the leading reasons for consumption is by that of a bourgeois hero. According to Berger, an author from one of my Media Analysis books, “For Marxists, bourgeois heroes and heroines function to maintain the status quo by ‘peddling’ capitalist ideology in disguised form and by helping keep consumer lust at a high pitch.” The bourgeois hero is not the hero that we are accustomed to recognizing by brave acts, but a hero that we can recognize because we, as spectators, have seen them attain the American dream that we all chase after. The bourgeois hero is a spokesperson for the promotion of consumption. They help impose the ideals of the bourgeoisie class: power, wealth, and education. Michael Jordan is the perfect example of the bourgeois hero in Marxist theory; however some reasonable people may disagree with this and claim that he is truly an American hero.
Michael Jordan’s name is synonymous with greatness. A 14 time NBA All-Star, a 2-time Olympic Gold medalist, and Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year,” has helped form this man into a true iconic figure. His determination, work ethic, and captivating gracefulness on the court have transformed the game into an art form. He never seemed to disappoint the fans by thriving while facing adversity. His astounding athletic abilities seemed boundless and were always showcased in dramatic fashion. He had the stylish look of a model, while also becoming one of the most successful business entrepreneurs in the world. In America, people dream of becoming the self-made man; successful, wealthy, popular, and striving to be recognized by others. These dreams have all become realities for Michael Jordan. I have researched and found some staggering statistics of how much of an influence that he has had which I will share for this next essay.

It is hard to believe how much money one person can be worth by the image and products that they sell. I can say that I too have been an advocate consuming machine of his “Airness” and the wide range of products that he helps to promote. What are the positive and negative influences of the concept of bourgeois hero? It is positive in the sense that the companies laugh at us while they all make mad profit. The negative aspect is that, we, the consumers of the products, are falling for what we desire by spending our hard earned money on products that we want, and not necessarily what we need.

Images of greatness

The invention of the camera and video cameras has started a revolution. We are bombarded with free flowing, aesthetically pleasing to the eye, fast moving images everyday. There are probably many images around you as you are reading this blog right this very minute. Your existence and life’s most cherished memories can be told with a giant photo album, no words attached are even necessary. Images and the Image Culture is a phenomenon that I cannot explain in words.

A simple picture can speak a thousand words. My job was to find an image that is meaningful to me and share its importance to a culture. Many images easily come to mind, most of them political or military based. Famous war photographs from the civil war including sprawled out dead bodies on the grounds of the First Bull Run or Antietam, Marines raising the American Flag at Iwo Jima, a naked crying girl running in the streets of Vietnam, Jaws surfacing from deep beneath the dark murky waters, Indiana Jones escaping from a giant bolder, Michael Jackson moon-walking or NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong standing on the moon.

All of these images have been presented to us and have been embedded into our minds through the universal use of media and literature. Yet, I need to share an image that is truly meaningful to me. I have selected the famous photograph taken of Boston Celtics legend, The Hick from French Lick, Larry Bird and the Los Angeles Lakers Superstar, Mr. Showtime himself, Earvin “Magic” Johnson! I must say that this image has many meanings besides two players awaiting a possible rebound. You can see this very image in the background of my room in my recently made vlog regarding self-censorship. By the way, it is a painting that was given to me for my birthday from a friend who is an artist.

This particular image has been named as one of the Top 100 Sports Illustrated Magazines greatest photographs. Just the other day I witnessed a fellow SFSU student wearing a lime green t-shirt with the image on the front. I can say that it has obviously affected our culture in some shape or form.

Rosen says, “ We will, of course, be enormously entertained by these images, and many of them will tell us stories in new and exciting ways……....why particular

events or people affect us as they do.”

These two particular people have had a tremendous effect on me. Not only in the way I view the game of basketball, but in life as well. This image can tell everyone a story. This image in my eyes represents the path or drive to success, work ethic, leadership, pride, striving to be the best, friendship, respect, dedication, excitement, competitiveness, guts, intelligence, determination, domination, class, warriors, gladiators, just to name a few. At the time they were of epic proportions. Mythical like gods some say. In representing the cultural aspect during the 1980’s, the city of Boston represented the blue collared, hardworking, and gritty workers putting in the hours. While the city of Los Angeles represented the white-collared, glamour, flashing lights, and Hollywood.

As stated in the synopsis for a new book about these two individuals, “From the moment these two players took the court on opposing sides, they engaged in a fierce physical and psychological battle. Their uncommonly competitive relationship came to symbolize the most compelling rivalry in the NBA. These were the basketball epics of the 1980s -- Celtics vs. Lakers, East vs. West, physical vs. finesse, Old School vs. Showtime, even white vs. black.

In conclusion, images take us over completely. How close is that to McLuhan? Whether it is one image or a million images, the point is that they mean so much more than just an image. They speak to us without the use of words. They are a language all in themselves. They are capable of sharing the past; they are capable of sharing the future. They are…