Questions while watching Superman
Superman (1979) was the first comic-book film ever produced by Hollywood. It is still considered by many the best
comic-book film ever made. The screenplay was written by Mario Puzo, a famous novelist who had previously
written the blockbuster film The Godfather (1972).
Superman is a Christian allegory: Superman/Clark Kent is a Christ figure, his Kryptonian father Jor-El symbolizes
God the Father, and Jonathan and Martha Kent symbolize Joseph and Mary. Lois Lane represents fallen humanity,
or perhaps more specifically, Mary Magdalene. Both General Zod and Lex Luthor parallel Lucifer. (General Zod,
who appears briefly at the beginning of Superman, will reappear as the main villain in Superman II.)
First: How many symbols and parallels can you find between the life of Superman and the life of Christ? Almost
everything is important: what characters say, the colors of their clothes and surroundings, the shape of objects, etc.
Second: Remember that this is a course on Jesuit spirituality. What does an allegory like Superman have to do with
the First Week of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius? (Hint: In the First Week Ignatius asks us to meditate on
our sinfulness, but before we do that, we are supposed to begin with meditations on the sin of the angels, the sin of
Adam and Eve, and the sins of humanity in general. Only afterward are we supposed to think about our own sinfulness. Why does Ignatius do this? What is the importance of understanding our lives within the “cosmic context” of
salvation history as a whole?
1) Where in the film do you find allegories to these aspects of salvation history:
The angel Lucifer’s rebellion against God (Rev. 12:1-9). The fall of Lucifer and the angels from
heaven into hell. The Trinity. The Incarnation. The star of Bethlehem. Jesus’ humble upbringing
in Nazareth. The death of St. Joseph. The “missing years” of Jesus’ life (i.e., we don’t know
anything about his life during the twelve years or so from when he was a teenager until he began
his ministry at the age of thirty). Jesus goes into the desert to discover his true identity and
mission. He hears the voice of his true father. His ability to perform miracles. His intimate
knowledge of humanity and God the Father. His love for fallen humanity. Jesus as truly God and
truly human. How Jesus’ divinity is hidden behind his humanity.
2) How does the film make allusions to the Gospel of John, where Jesus says for example:
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through
him” (John 3:17).
“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself: he can do only what he sees his father
doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and
shows him all he does” (John 5:19-20).
“I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is
with me: he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him” (John 8:28-29).
“May all of them be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. . . May they be brought to
complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved
me” (John 17:21-23).
3. Notice that Lois Lane also has a dual-identity. On the outside she is an aggressive, tough, feisty woman, trying to
prove herself in a man’s world. (Remember that in the 1970s, when this film was made, the question of whether
women could succeed in the workplace alongside men was a hot issue.) She smokes, makes fun of Clark Kent, and
although she’s famous for her responsible journalism, she really prefers to write lurid, sexually-oriented newspaper
stories. (Is there also evidence that she was disappointed by men in the past?) But when she sees Superman, a very
different person appears. Why is this important? What is it about her that causes Clark/Superman to fall in love
with her? How might this apply to Jesus loving fallen humanity?
4. In the Fortress of Solitude Jor-El says to his son: “Knowledge of matters physical and historical I have included
with you on your voyage to your new home. These are important matters, to be sure, but still only matters of mere
fact. There are questions to be asked, and it is time for you to do so.” Clark responds, “Who am I?” How does this
relate to what we discussed about the importance of meaning in our lives?
5. At his first public appearance, Superman does things both great and small: he pulls a cat down from a tree, then
saves the life of the President on Air Force One. What is the significance of this? What is it that Superman finds
important. . . or not important? How does this relate to God?
6. What is symbolic about the headquarters of Lex Luthor? Note the location and the floor especially. What is
Lex’s estimation of human beings? What did Lex’s father say to him when he was six years old? How does
Superman treat Lex at the end of the film?
7. Jonathan Kent says to the teenage Clark: “One thing I do know, son, is that you are here for a reason. I don’t
know whose reason. . . maybe it’s. . . I dunno. But I do know one thing. It’s not to score touchdowns.” Later in the
film, Lois says to Superman, “Why are you here? There must be a reason why you’re here.” What is it about
Clark/Superman that makes people so certain that there must be a reason for his presence on earth? Can you answer
be extended to make theological points about why human existence must have a reason?