Question

According to Riesman, how do Batman and Superman's fictional characters reflect cultural periods in real-life history?

a) Batman embodies the spirit of the Industrial Revolution, representing technological progress and urbanization.
b) Superman symbolizes the Great Depression era, highlighting the need for hope and the power of the individual.
c) Batman personifies the Cold War era, focusing on vigilante justice and fear of hidden threats.
d) Superman epitomizes the post-9/11 world, emphasizing the importance of security and unity.

Answer 1

Superman symbolizes the Great Depression era, highlighting the need for hope and the power of the individual, according to Riesman. Batman's connection to historical periods like the Industrial Revolution or Cold War is less direct, relating more to modern complexities and societal concerns.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Riesman, Batman and Superman reflect different cultural periods in real-life history. Batman, although not directly associated with a specific historical period in Riesman’s view, is often seen as a character who embodies the complexities of the modern world, including issues around technological progress, urbanization, and vigilantism. This connects him indirectly to periods of significant change and societal concern, such as the Industrial Revolution or the Cold War, where themes of fear and hidden threats were prominent.

Superman, on the other hand, is a character that became an icon during the Great Depression, symbolizing hope and the power of the individual to overcome great challenges. His pedestal reading 'Truth-Justice-The American Way' aligns with this view, indicating how a functionalist might interpret the cultural values represented by Superman as reflecting American ideals of heroism and optimism during tough times.