Calvin Brown
Rebecca Peters
Hum 3321-04
Capstone Paper
November 24, 2014
How Middle Class Values to Define the Man of Steel
The age of the United States is roughly 240 years, with the age of American society in
general preceding that with early colonization. In that time American society has seen its
attitudes toward gender, race, sex, change drastically over from its inception to present times.
Outside of those three social constructs however is one that remains a bastion of past ideals, the
social construct of class. From 240 years ago to present times the parts that make up class
structure would be different, as new consumer goods are created, and levels of wealth change, it
would still however be plain to see those who have, and those who have not. The idea of class
today in America is roughly broken down into three tiers of upper, middle, and lower, and one of
the key appeals of America is the supposed ability to freely move between these tiers with hard
work. The movement that most people find desirable of course is upward, longing for the riches
and prestige that come with the upper class. The stories of rags to riches, and self-made
men/women is one that many seem to identify with, however in Hollywood this paradigm is
tossed on its head as nearly all film protagonists are shown straying towards the middle class
over the upper and lower. Whether it be a character from the lower class working their way into
the middle or someone from the upper class losing their wealth and realizing everything they
needed was in the middle class all along. One character in particular that stands out for his avid
promotion of middle class values is Superman. This is explored in his most recent cinematic
outing, Man of Steel, a movie that points out that it is Superman’s rural middle class background
that truly makes him the hero that he is, not just the superpowers.
In the film, Clark is raised on a farm in Kansas where we are led to believe he acquires
all the earthly, downhome, American values associated with that kind of upbringing. It is only
later revealed that he is part alien, introducing another layer to the character, and beginning to
show the rumblings of a class clash. The classes in the scope of the film being not those of
wealth but rather between the highly advance technology and abilities of the Kryptonians,
against our own human capabilities. In this case however, unlike how the real world would lead
you to believe, the upper class is shown as undesirable, contrasting and clashing with the more
desirable middle class values. Kryptonians are shown to be incredibly powerful, fast, and smart
enough to create technology that can traverse the starts, these are all things that would put them
at a higher class than humans, but along with these great gifts the invading Kryptonians also
have an air of entitlement, believing the planet is theirs to conquer simply because they have the
power to do so. This entitlement is actually a stereotype of the upper class position they hold and
makes their position more easily understood by the audience, as they have all seen a rich person
in media that they felt had not earned their standing. So instead of aspiring towards the upper
class, we are left to stand with Clark, or Superman as they begin to call him, who has decided
fight against the Kryptonians. One scene in particular that stands out on this point is when
Superman destroys the ship containing genetic material for all future Kryptonians, thereby
preventing the return of his people at the expense of earth. In this scene he is cementing his
status as an Earthling first and foremost over his Kryptonian roots, symbolically however he is
choosing to be of the middle class over upper class.
Superman isn’t the first protagonist to renounce the upper class in favor of the middle
class. On the other hand in media when middle class values are renounced it is shown to have a
negative effects. This is backed Hollywood film, where it has almost become a bit of a cliché to
have characters turn away from riches, and glory, in favor of a more humble middle class
lifestyle. They characters who do this are shown to lead happier lives than their often stressed,
dysfunctional upper class counterparts. General Zod, leader of the Kryptonians, and Superman,
come to exemplify the difference in lifestyles afforded by their social classes. Superman,
identified at this point with the earthlings, or lower class has a very different outlook than Zod
who owns up to his Kryptonian heritage. Superman is however shown to be leading a more
fulfilling life, filled with a few loved ones, in comparison to Zod’s life, consumed with his need
to protect krypton. This reflects the everyday life of many in society and is a constantly
occurring plot in film, that of balancing professional success, against a healthy personal life. To
be more concise how much of one area are you willing to sacrifice be successful in the other?
Zod considers himself a General first and foremost, enjoying the title not unlike other prestigious
upper class titles of King, Lord, or Duke. He defines himself by this title, by his profession, this
is a view that is staunchly against the middle class as it could be seen as putting profession, or
the chasing of money over individual happiness. In one his writings theorist Karl Marx states,
“What I am and can do is, therefore, not at all determined by my individuality.”(299) Zod would
come to embody this message as he is so single minded in his protection of Krypton that it
eventually consumes him, leading to his downfall. Superman on the other hand is stated to be
their first natural birth on Krypton in a while, unlike Zod, and all other Kryptonians he wasn’t
forced into a job from birth, but given the chance by his parents to carve his own path, forging
his own unique identity unburdened with defining himself by the job he would have been
assigned.
The middle class values that truly make Superman, not only the hero of this film, but a
pop culture icon were instilled in him by his parents on earth. Values, of truth, justice, and the
American way, to quote the comics. The importance of Superman’s values are elaborated on in
the film when to put the U.S. Army General’s mind at ease about his loyalty to America he tells
him that he grew up in Kansas. This is meant to mean that he of all people would possess the
necessary values of honesty and integrity to protect American interests, the type of person all
Americans should supposedly try to be. Upholding those values however are easier when one,
like Superman, looks the part. He’s a tall, handsome, white, and a male, the type of person
America had in mind when it was founded and still the ruling power of not just our country, but
much of the world. America however, like much of the world has become a far more inclusive,
diverse place. The true problem of the middle class values shown in the Man of Steel arise when
as a people we are expected to aspire towards them regardless of income, or other factors, such
as race, gender, sex, etc. This stems from a belief that these values are just inherently good, and
things such as hard-work and honesty are valuable assets to be had, but they by no means level
the playing field. This ideal of an inherently level playing field to those who uphold the middle
class values of truth, and hard work is the meritocracy myth. Professors Stephen J. McNamee,
and Robert K. Miller discuss it at length in their article stating, “there are a variety of social
forces that tend to suppress, neutralize, or even negate the effects of merit in the race to get
ahead.” (34) In this quote the professors mean to shine some light on the fact, that not everyone
can hold the same values true and hope to be at equal points in life, because unlike a standard
competition in the race of life people bequeathed with an array of what could be considered
handicaps.
So why in the end does Hollywood seek to promote a middle class ideal, while most of its
patrons strive for the upper class? It stems in part from relatability. People want to see movies
where they can project themselves onto the characters on the screen. This creates a bit of a
harmful image however, as it leads the viewer to believe that by simply upholding strong middle
class values you can overcome anything life throws at you, marginalizing the experiences of
many people who just may have had some bad luck in life. Those who fail to reach the middle
class could be left to feel somber about their lives, whether it be those too poor in the lower
class, or those offended by the often unflattering images painted by Hollywood in the upper. This
point is hammered home in Man of Steel, Superman in the end of the film with his full array of
powers could truly be of as high a class as he wants but instead almost holds himself back to the
middle class in the job of intrepid reporter Clark Kent. The idea being that he wouldn’t find
happiness being a god over earth as Zod proposed, but instead found happiness just being
amongst the commons. Another point of Hollywood promoting middle class ideals stems from
Heritage. Defined as “the commercial exploitation of sentimentalized and aestheticized aspects
of the past.”(305) Movie going adults head to the theatre in the hopes of an escape to simpler
times, times of their youth for example. Superman endures because he exemplifies the basic hero
everyone should strive toward, in the film he is meant to be a paragon for society. He is meant to
too make us all strive toward the middle class ideals that make him who he is in the hopes that
maybe we can be heroes as well.
How Middle Class Values Came to Define Man of Steel
By: Calvin Brown
Bibliography
Cooper, Caroline. M. “Field of Dreams: A favorite of President Clinton- But a Typical
Reaganite Film?” Multicultural Film: An Anthology. Fall 2014. Eds. Kathryn Karrh Cashin and
Laurent C. Martilli. Boston, MA: Pearson 2014. Book.
Man of Steel. Dir. By Zack Snyder. Perf. Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, and Michael
Shannon. Warner Bros, 2012. DVD
Marx, Karl. “The Destructive Power of Money” Multicultural Film: An Anthology. Fall
2014. Eds. Kathryn Karrh Cashin and Laurent C. Martilli. Boston, MA: Pearson 2014. Book.
McNamee, Stephen J, and Robert Miller. “The Meritocracy Myth.” Multicultural Film:
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Pearson 2014. Book.