Essay On Gender Roles In Superman
The exchanged roles that Bruce Wayne as Superman, Clark Kent as Batman play within comic #71 concede a direct correlation to the gender roles both men and women played at the time, for which consists of women in a submissive “housewife” role along with men in a control, dominant role. The comic provides many examples, both artistically and textually, of gender roles. Gender roles being defined as how the male and female interact in society and with each other. The comic prescribes to the entertainment factor with bright colors and vibrant schemes to exemplify some of the ideals displayed. It also relies heavily on textual undercurrents. There is an example of such on the second page where a summarization of the comic is present: “If you
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It speaks directly to the reader with a message saying that you don’t want to be like Lois Lane because she is in that state. Additionally, Robin automatically understands that they are switched, which indicates that Robin is capable of figuring it out whereas Lois Lane is not. It also states that the heroes are taking “desperate and breathtaking efforts” highlighting the control these two men have. Batman “flies” in a Superman esque fashion to lift Lois Lane off the ground, and she is dressed in a fashion that does not indicate that she is in fact on her way to the Daily Planet to make a report. Lois appears to be in a classier coat, skirt, and ribboned hat. This displays the “good housewife” role that was required in the 1950’s when this comic was written. In accordance with this, she appears to be “swept off her feet” in that Batman has to be more masculine and lift Lois Lane to appear to be Superman. Her naivety is further exemplified from the fact that she says, “You know more about Clark than you pretend--and--I won’t be taken in anymore!”(pg.7). She has already been fooled as Batman is wearing make-up and came in on a rope. This fact again reiterates the women’s stereotypes and roles. It also sets up a series of schemes that Batman and Robin fool her
It speaks directly to the reader with a message saying that you don’t want to be like Lois Lane because she is in that state. Additionally, Robin automatically understands that they are switched, which indicates that Robin is capable of figuring it out whereas Lois Lane is not. It also states that the heroes are taking “desperate and breathtaking efforts” highlighting the control these two men have. Batman “flies” in a Superman esque fashion to lift Lois Lane off the ground, and she is dressed in a fashion that does not indicate that she is in fact on her way to the Daily Planet to make a report. Lois appears to be in a classier coat, skirt, and ribboned hat. This displays the “good housewife” role that was required in the 1950’s when this comic was written. In accordance with this, she appears to be “swept off her feet” in that Batman has to be more masculine and lift Lois Lane to appear to be Superman. Her naivety is further exemplified from the fact that she says, “You know more about Clark than you pretend--and--I won’t be taken in anymore!”(pg.7). She has already been fooled as Batman is wearing make-up and came in on a rope. This fact again reiterates the women’s stereotypes and roles. It also sets up a series of schemes that Batman and Robin fool her