Analyzing Heroes in Popular Culture (Movies or TV shows)
Needs to be 4-5 pages
Context: We will now turn our attention to America’s highly influential entertainment complex: Hollywood, and its presentation of heroes in movies and on TV. Some of the most successful movies in recent history have included heroes and their journeys (Star Wars The Force Awakens, The Avengers, The Hunger Games, Mad Max, Hidden Figures, Black Panther, etc.). I think that many of us instinctively know what a hero entails, but it’s not always easily definable. One question to consider is: what sorts of actions warrant the term “heroism�
Writing Task: For this assignment, you will choose one hero or multiple heroes (as long as they are in the same movie or TV show) to analyze in a four-five, page essay. Additionally, even though many movies and TV shows are based on books or comics, you will be analyzing the movie or TV show in its visual presentation. Ultimately, the essay should achieve two, main purposes:
1.) Using the Hero’s Journey as a lens, show how your hero fulfills, mostly fulfills, or does not fulfill, the various stages of the Hero’s Journey, including a discussion of the specific stages and mythological archetypes.
2.) Analyze the characteristics and actions that make these characters heroes.
To help you better understand these concepts, you should use “The Stages of the Hero’s Journey†and “The Hero’s Journey is Still the Only Hope for Good Stories†as well as additional materials found on Canvas (you will be required to incorporate at least two of the sources from this unit, along with your primary source (movie or TV show). Finally, we will be watching a film and discussing it as an example of how to formulate this type of essay.
Choosing a topic/hero:
–Your first instinct might be to write about an obvious hero such as James Bond or Indiana Jones or a super hero such as Spiderman or Batman, but keep in mind that there are different types of heroes (fictional or non-fictional), including athletes (Jackie Robinson and the Karate Kid) politicians (JFK, Bill Clinton) civil rights proponents (Harvey Milk, Malcolm X), etc. You may also consider animated heroes such as The Incredibles or Moana.
–There are a number of links on Canvas that will help you choose a hero/topic.
–Although this essay cannot entirely focus on the villain or anti-hero, you should show how the hero deals with adversity, whether it’s an evil dictator, monster, or a devious corporation, etc.
—Movies that are off limits: documentaries, movies we watch in class, Star Wars A New Hope, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Hercules, and Mulan.
Some questions to help you during the brainstorming and drafting stages:
-What are the main qualities/characteristics of a hero?
-Who is your biggest hero and why?
-Why is our culture so obsessed with superheroes?
-How does the media create or construct heroes?
-What are “unsung†heroes? Why is there a lack of female and diverse heroes in movies and TV shows? -How has the definition of heroes changed over time?
Additional Steps to a Successful Analysis: