“Superman and Me” Essay
Ever seen a prodigy? You must have if you know Sherman Alexie, or Superman.Both are a type of hero. Sherman Alexie wrote “Superman and Me”. Though he was an Indian boy who in many ways acted like Superman on an Indian reservation camp. Many Native American children would often call him an oddity. For his”super powers”.
Alexie was a prodigy. “ He reads ‘Grapes of Wrath’... Other children are struggling through ‘Dick and Jane’.” So he was reading hard core books when the other children are struggling through easy ,picture, sentence books. Alexie stood out. When Indian children were supposed to be stupid. Alexie stood and showed his talents.As he said, he was arrogant and smart.
Alexie was also trying
As the text progresses into the middle of the story, Alexie talks about how he finds knowledge as a step toward success rather than a burden by using a didactic tone. Alexie talks about how he was advanced in reading at a young age while his other classmates were struggling. You learn this when he said “...little Indian boy teaches himself how to read at an early age... when other children are struggling through...”(Alexie). This shows that he was steps closer to success than them. Later on, Alexie says, “We were Indian children who were expected to be stupid. Most lived up to those expectations...”(Alexie). Alexie starts to explain as to what path was provided for these Indian children. Although there was this certain path for these Indian children, Alexie refuses to set himself up for failure. This can be seen when he says, “...we were expected to fail...I refused to fail. I was smart...I was lucky...I loved...books...I also knew love had only one purpose. I was trying to save my life...”(Alexie). He knew he could exceed their expectations and create his own path. Alexie refused to follow the crowd and waste his gift of knowledge.
As he grew up to become a writer, we see pain in the story he tells. “I loved those books, but I also knew that love had only one purpose. I was trying to save my life” (pg.18). Alexie wanted to be someone greater than what others expected him to be. People would put him down constantly, but he fought back just as much. He tried to save himself from the stereotypes of being just another dumb Indian. He had more determination to prove others wrong when it came too exceeding in reading to further excel in his daily life.
"As Indian children, we were expected to fail in the non-Indian world." (Pg. 24) Sherman Alexie, a significant Indian writer who grew up on reservation, discusses his childhood experience in seeking hope and salvation in readings and writing to break the stereotypes of Indian kids. In Alexie's article "The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me", he proves that one doesn't have to be affluent to enjoy readings and writing, whereas one has to be resistant and persistent to "save their lives" from poverty. He not only provides courage and hopes for Indian children from a lower class, but also shows the non-Indians that Indians are smart and talented as well.
“What was it? Who were they? Where are they now? Do they exist?” wonders the writer Sherman Alexie if the Native American reservation school system ever exposed him to the concept of creative writing or writers. In his essay, “The Joy of Reading: Superman and Me,” he describes how notions such as creative writing and reading high-level texts were considered “beyond Indians.” To combat such unwarranted profiling, he reminds young Native Americans of the importance of resisting negative stereotypes. Alexie claims that no matter the situations they were born into, they can still accomplish their aspirations. He supports this contention through his own experiences, reflecting upon how empowerment from reading and writing– particularly that which he garnered from reading the iconic comic Superman at the age of three– “saved” him from the failure expected from his race. In his essay, Spokane Indian-American writer Sherman Alexie employs relatable and uplifting personal narrative to motivate Native American youth to view others’ success, real or fictional, as validation of their own potential.
Have you ever compared yourself to someone more powerful than you? In the text “Superman and Me” Sherman Alexie uses an extended metaphor through the text, his metaphor states how Superman and him are alike, like breaking down doors, saving lives, and beating stereotypes. Here are ways that Sherman did. They are both heroes.Here are some ways they are.
In paragraph six, he writes that he was expected to fail, along with other Indian children. Alexie writes in paragraph seven that he refused to fail. His love for books fueled his aspiration to achieve greatness. He often read books late into the night, and any chance he could. Sherman Alexie writes about constantly reading to show that he was not going to follow in the footsteps of his peers.
In the story "Superman and Me" by Alexie, an Indian boy is determined to learn because he was inspired by his father. He looks forward to more education and he wants to be successful when he grows up. The boy is going to a school where he isn't accepted because he is not white. In the story "Graduation" by Maya Angelou, she goes to school where the white are considered higher class, were as the blacks were considered the lower class. Education is an important factor to becoming successful.
The movies “Waiting for Superman” investigated the ways in which the American Public Education system is failing our nation’s children. It highlighted the roles that Charter Schools and education reformers could play in an effort to offer hope for the future. The movie moreover, depicted the dropout rate of high school students and schools closing due to lack of funding.
Two of the most famous crime fighters were once a television series. Superman the Movie (1966) and Batman the Movie (1978). Superman fought crime in Metropolis and Batman did his crime fighting in Gotham City. Both crimefighters’ story is very similar but also very different. The two became orphans when they were very young.
Moore, Edward 1A 4/29/15 Superman A perfect American icon when times were tough would be Superman. Superman was created by two young men that were fanatic fans of comic books. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created superman in 1933 and had him published by D.C comics in 1938. Joe Shuster was born in Canada on July 10, 1914 and was raised in toronto.
Since the late 1920’s there have been many comic book companies, but only two have stayed the course, DC Comics and Marvel Comics. What has made these two such a staple in the industry. Great iconic characters that have stood the test of time, outstanding artists and writers, and in current times the use of their intellectual properties for other mediums such as movies and TV.
Many doubters of the medium will say “What impact have comic books had on the world?”. The answer is, much more than many first suspect. In January 1993, the world was shocked at the death of a character present in the American zeitgeist since 1938, Superman. The event was highly covered by media around the world, most notably in a headline news piece by media gargantuan CNN. “The Death of Superman” as the multi-issue story arc was named, represented more than just the death of a fictional character. Superman was an icon, so synonymous and heavily woven into classic American values, his death meant a great deal to fans and non-fans alike. Journalist James Whitbrook says, “But the death of Superman was an event that earned this sort of commemoration,
Superman is known for his many redeeming qualities, such as being charismatic, highly strong, intelligent, and all around an impressive being. One of his many skills includes being able to fly wherever and whenever he pleases (usually when he is defending the Earth against evil humans or aliens however). He can easily land, as you would assume he should be able to. Similarly, my uncle, Harry, was like Superman when I was around the age of 5 or 6. He was strong enough to play fight with my brother and I, had a decent amount of friends, was intelligent and willing to work towards being certified in the culinary industry. But unlike Superman, he did not have the ability to land when he flew.
Who would you choose to save you from the clutches of an evil villain? Would you opt for Batman to sweep you to safety in his supremely sleek batmobile? Or, perhaps you’d prefer to have Superman fly to your rescue? Of course, both superheroes are up to the job. They’ve faced down bad guys in hundreds of comic books, on television and even on the silver screen. Whether you’re a tried and true Batman fan or a diehard Superman fanatic, you’ve got to admit that the two have some interesting similarities and other striking differences. Let’s examine both as we take a look at their childhoods, their superpowers and their alter egos.
I would call on Superman and Supergirl. Supergirl is very intelligent, and would definitely be able to find me. Superman has learned to control his powers, and I love his little curly Q. I think they make a great team, and are built for success. Last no criminal can hide from superman and