1. I think an important term to discuss in the article of “Inside Every Teenage Superhero Lurks a Nerd” by Neal Gable would be the word Superhero. Spider-Man is a comic book legend that gained even more popularity when it came to the big screen starring Toby Maguire. Peter Parker is a nerdy teenager with the everyday troubles of a teen. He is constantly dismissed by the popular kids, labeled as a “bookworm,” and ignored by the girl of his dreams. One day, his fate turns around when he happens to get bitten by a spider which suddenly gives him superhero powers that include spider-like reflexes, such as climbing up walls. Parker was then able to stand up against bullies that had constantly harassed him, and was able to find confidence within himself. Kids wanted to be just like Peter Parker, and could only imagine the advantages of having these powers. Having these powers leads to another key term discussed in the reading: responsibility. Peter Parker began as a self-involved teenager who only wanted to use his new-found powers to benefit himself. He tried to get money to buy a new car to impress the girl of his dreams by entering a wrestling match. But as it turns out, he runs into bad luck which claims his Uncle Ben's life. Before his tragic death, Uncle Ben tells Parker that “with power comes responsibility.” That is when Parker realizes he has to use his powers not only to benefit himself, but to help the rest of his community. He accepts this responsibility and enters a world fighting evil, and helping the world around him.
2. The main idea of the reading is that heroism is more than what everyone would think it to be. You may start off as an unpopular kid in high school, where popularity is everything, and suddenly find yourself with powers that put you ahead of the rest--as in the case of Peter Parker. He had to put everything into perspective, and to become a selfless superhero. “With power comes responsibility” is a very powerful quote. This quote means that whoever you are, if you gain something, you have to become a responsible individual. If we become irresponsible with the power given, we become the villain, only wanting to help ourselves therefore becoming selfish and unthoughtful. Heroism is more than being the underdog who suddenly rises to the top. It takes time as well as experience to understand the rights and wrongs. Some have to find out what it means to be a true hero in harder ways than others. Peter Parker, also known as Spider-man, had to witness his Uncle Ben's murder because he was only thinking of himself, and allowed the criminal to escape with not only the money, but inadvertently his Uncle's life as well. It was then that he had realized he does not only possess these powers for himself, but for his family and the rest of his community. This also plays into his adolescence. He had to grow up, and realize that he was a superhero, and no longer a nerd--even though that part of him still lived inside of him. This sends a great message to all kids who are a fan of the comic book, as well as the movie. With power comes responsibility, the lack of this elements will only create grave consequences in the end.
3. Throughout your experiences, how would you define a Superhero?
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2 comments:
I would define a superhero as someone who can overcome obstacles physical or emotional. A person who chooses to help others not because they have to but because they want to. Realistically, people do not have super powers but they do possess a powerful mind if they use it to their potential.
In my opinion, a superhero is somebody who always runs in and saves the day. A superhero can overcome any obstacle, even when it looks bad for our hero. It is someone who does good for the sake of doing good.
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