{"product_id":"the-myth-of-the-american-superhero-paperback","title":"The Myth of the American Superhero - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJohn Shelton Lawrence\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eRobert Jewett\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the Superman of comic books to Hollywood's big-screen action stars, Americans have long enjoyed a love affair with the \"superhero.\" In this engaging volume John Shelton Lawrence and Robert Jewett explore the historical and spiritual roots of the superhero myth and its deleterious effect on America's democratic vision. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Arguing that the superhero is the antidemocratic counterpart of the classical \"monomyth\" described by Joseph Campbell, the authors show that the American version of the monomyth derives from tales of redemption. In settings where institutions and elected leaders always fail, the American monomyth offers heroes who combine elements of the selfless servant with the lone, zealous crusader who destroys evil. Taking the law into their own hands, these unelected figures assume total power to rid the community of its enemies, thus comprising a distinctively American form of pop fascism. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Drawing widely from books, films, TV programs, video games, and places of superhero worship on the World Wide Web, the authors trace the development of the American superhero during the twentieth century and expose the mythic patterns behind the most successful elements of pop culture. Lawrence and Jewett challenge readers to reconsider the relationship of this myth to traditional religious and social values, and they show how, ultimately, these antidemocratic narratives gain the spiritual loyalties of their audiences, in the process inviting them to join in crusades against evil. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Finally, the authors pose this provocative question: Can we take a holiday from democracy in our lives of fantasy and entertainment while preserving our commitment to democratic institutions and ways of life?\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the Superman of comic books to Hollywood's big-screen action stars, Americans have long enjoyed a love affair with the superhero. In this engaging volume John Shelton Lawrence and Robert Jewett explore the historical and spiritual roots of the superhero myth and its deleterious effect on Americas democratic vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArguing that the superhero is the antidemocratic counterpart of the classical monomyth described by Joseph Campbell, the authors show that the American version of the monomyth derives from tales of redemption. In settings where institutions and elected leaders always fail, the American monomyth offers heroes who combine elements of the selfless servant with the lone, zealous crusader who destroys evil. Taking the law into their own hands, these unelected figures assume total power to rid the community of its enemies, thus comprising a distinctively American form of pop fascism.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing widely from books, films, TV programs, video games, and places of superhero worship on the World Wide Web, the authors trace the development of the American superhero during the twentieth century and expose the mythic patterns behind the most successful elements of pop culture. Lawrence and Jewett challenge readers to reconsider the relationship of this myth to traditional religious and social values, and they show how, ultimately, these antidemocratic narratives gain the spiritual loyalties of their audiences, in the process inviting them to join in crusades against evil.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFinally, the authors pose this provocative question: Can we take a holiday from democracy in our lives of fantasy and entertainment while preserving our commitment to democratic institutions and waysof life?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn Shelton Lawrence is professor emeritus of philosophy at Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa. He is the author of \u003ci\u003eThe Electronic Scholar\u003c\/i\u003e and coeditor of \u003ci\u003eFair Use and Free Inquiry.\u003c\/i\u003e He currently lives in Berkeley, California, where he is a writer, consultant, and Senior Conservation Fellow at the Sierra Club in San Francisco. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Robert Jewett is guest professor of New Testament at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Previously he was Harry R. Kendall Senior Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois.\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 436\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.88 x 9.21 x 6.14 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 28, 2002\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46169422004421,"sku":"9780802825735","price":51.91,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0757\/6718\/5605\/files\/yk31CiMuz79780802825735.webp?v=1777794878","url":"https:\/\/selloorium.com\/products\/the-myth-of-the-american-superhero-paperback","provider":"Selloorium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}