The American Myth of Superhero

Our European ancestors have a wonderful heritage of myths - not lies or makebelieve, as many now use the word "myth", but rather an imaginative, adjective fantasy representation of people and experiences through the unique mind of the author. In myth, the artistic author uses images and stories familiar to him, maybe even from his own experience, and through imagination creates a fantasty version of them that alters certain aspects in order to emphasize them. This often involves faerie - the sub-creative representation of the deepest desires, spiritual and mundane, of the human heart, giving myths a deep spiritual quality.

America lacks this heritage. Even though our tales of the Old West and our earlier Revolutionary origins have some legendary stories and characters, including embellished versions of historical people, legend is not myth or faerie. The American mind, though occasionally creative with its history, is too practical and precise to create myths. We do not view the world mythically; we view it factually. This is not to say that myths are lies - actually, they are the best medium for communicating higher spiritual truths of nature and humanity. But because the human mind is capable of abstract, rational thought, we can see a higher level to existence which all but nihilists recognize. Myth helps us communicate these abstractions through imagery and story that, while fictitious, is far from dishonest.

However, I find the existence of superheroes in American literature interesting. While most American superhero stories lack a real supernatural element, they are highly fantastical and faerie. They give a voice to the deeply American longing for justice which so characterizes our society, even among people who strongly disagree. The idea of a normal person rising to prominence, overcoming obstacles around and within them, and using their power for good is very much American. Superheroes are invincible (though vulnerable), incorruptible (though not without weaknesses), and mythic, battling villains of epic importance, in highly implausible situations. They explore both the spiritual desires and fears of the American mind, and they illustrate our intrinsically American love of adventure. While superheroes may not qualify as myths per se, I think they certainly qualify as epic faerie tales that capitvate the American mind and encourage bravery, goodness and justice within an exciting, imaginative context.