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.
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