Week 9: The Incredibles & Family

Week 9: Paper Introduction

Silent suffering, chaos, and violence exist in a fascist state that creates an illusion of unity and order. In the film V for Vendetta, the protagonist, V, opposes this type of broken government called Norsefire. He aims to inspire the people of Britain to revolt against such deceiving and corrupt system under the rule of its dictator, Adam Sutler, through destructive means. Journal writer Douglas Bulloch agrees that the film is rightfully charged with the criticisms for its “open approval of symbolic terrorism” (1). However, V’s actions such as his detonation of the Old Bailey is more symbolic, achieving to relay his message to the government and the people, and is not a way to inflict damage through his abilities. The character’s goal as the Guy Fawkes-masked figure is to send his message out through every aspect of his life, from his deeds to his appearance. V is less a terrorist and more a vigilante who attempts to replace their dystopian society with a free country controlled by its people by using radical action. V offers anarchy that is not the presence of social and political chaos but the liberty from an imposing and repressive regime.

Week 9: Megamind Review

The film Megamind revolves around its brainy, villainous, and hilariously incompetent titular character. From the beginning, it seems like it would just be your typical superhero-supervillain kind of movie, having obvious resemblance to Superman's story of arrival on Earth. There was even a reporter love interest, Roxanne Ritchie, a la Lois Lane. The only difference is that the focus here is on the bad guy. However, as the story progresses, it veered farther and farther away from the normal superhero plots. First of all, Megamind unexpectedly beats Metro City's seemingly unbeatable protector, Metro Man, and the city was left in his and his sidekick, Minion's, control. It gets much more interesting when all of this tires out Megamind and he goes into some kind of existential crisis, unsatisfied of how his world is now that he's achieved what he thought he wanted. It was brilliantly ironic how, after this, Megamind put everything in his power to undo his achievements and restore his life of unsuccessful attempts to rule over the city. That was where he found purpose in. What is very interesting about the plot of the film is how the villain, Megamind, is humanized in his search for happiness in acceptance after accomplishing what he thought he wanted. The storylines are complicated (Megamind played Bernard to woo the girl Roxanne, Tighten's supposed father to train him as the new hero, and Metro Man at one point) but it's endlessly entertaining that you'll never worry where the story is going. There isn't much emotional punch, but the characters are incredibly fascinating that you are still curious as to how everything would resolve. How can the villain get the girl? How can the villain find acceptance? Will a new hero solve everything? Their stories are wrapped up neatly by the end. The whole film is pure fun, the twists are mostly fresh and original, and the characters have so much depth to them that the watcher is engrossed more and more layers are revealed in every scene.

Week 8: Hauerwas Reading Thoughts

The Hauerwas reading gave me a few things to think about when I reflect on this big issue of the United States right now. I've never given much thought to the logic behind the pacifists' ways before and how that belief will apply to this kind of situation, but this reading certainly gave me a good glimpse of it. While reading what Hauerwas had to say, I reflected upon the immediate response to 9/11. I remember President Bush declaring "we are at war" on the news after the event. What stuck out to me was when he pointed out that if, indeed, we are at war, then that must mean that Bin Laden was a warrior fighting for his cause just as much as we are fighting for ours. He's not a murderer that slayed many innocent U.S. citizens. For me, that way of looking at it, is just unacceptable.

Hauerwas also brought up how Americans only feel safe when we're at war because that means we're fighting to end something. We are in action, and that gives us comfort. The fact that war may be giving us comfort is a terrifying thought for me. I haven't thought much of this but, right now, I feel that we cannot possibly achieve peace through war. That totally defeats the purpose. This is why, thanks to the Hauerwas reading, I'm starting to consider the pacifist's rationale. I'm not saying that I will surely be one but, as a Christian, what Hauerwas said did resonate with me. I always ask "What does God want us to do in this situation?" and I am not confident to rule out the pacifist way.

When people say pacifist, I think nonviolence. In regards to the war, some people may think right away they're just those narrow-minded people that would accept mass suicide and not defending ourselves against terrorists. Yes, pacifism is an extreme, and that's probably why some react negatively to that kind of response. One may be accused of non-patriotism. However, I see now that that's not necessarily the case. Even though it's still very hazy, I have a slight picture now of what pacifists see when they commit to their beliefs. According to Hauerwas, it's a "church constituted by people who would rather die than kill".

I think people should never close their minds to all the various ways one can take action. In this reading, Hauerwas considers some of the ways others approach war and gave his take on it, and with that, I'm taking everything into consideration.

Week 7: Thoughts on Klein's Ideas

After reading "China's All-Seeing Eye" by Naomi Klein, I was very shocked just by how intensive is the security monitoring in China. The article was extremely informative and revealing in regards to the present condition in the country. Here in the United States, for some it already seems that the level of involvement of the government in our affairs intrudes our privacy. The way they can monitor our every internet search and text message seems too much already. However, the Chinese government seems to go more than one step farther. At first, it makes sense to have surveillance at least at some parts of the country in order for security purposes. But as I read on, I realized that their intent was not only to have some cameras in the country but to have it everywhere. Now, that's when it gets scary. How can people feel safe in comfortable when they know someone's watching their every move? One person in the article said that no one needs to be afraid of this as long as they're not doing anything wrong. However, it is not the who decides what's wrong and what's right in this country, what puts you to jail and what keeps you safe.

Another surprising thing was the connection of the facial recognition and surveillance camera company to one here in the United States, "L-1 Identity Solutions". The fact that the representative that Klein talked to tried to cover up their involvement is very suspicious. It seems like they know that what they're doing is on the borderline of violating the law. In China, the companies that are providing security equipment for the government are booming. It is clear how much China wants to monitor each citizen's every move, not only for security reasons, but seemingly for their own intentions as well. The people who are getting caught are ones that have even a small chance of opposing the way the country's run, not necessarily through violent means. For me, I believe that it does help with reducing violence but it also restricts freedom the most. The fact there is a chance that what's happening in China might spread to the United States is a very real and scary thought.

Week 6: Visual Rhetoric

This visual image conveys the message that Old Spice basically turns you from a loser to a winner. The man's 'before' appearance is described as "a sad little nerd person". However, no one needs to read the quote on the bottom of the ad to get this impression. With the awkward, gangling teenage boy donning glasses, a costume, and a bad haircut, it is pretty clear that it is the unfavorable one between the two appearances of the man. One the completely opposite extreme, his 'after' photo on the bottom left is clearly meant to emanate poise, success and high self-confidence. In this ad, the whole transformation of the man's appearance to a more dignified, pleasant look is all attributed to Old Spice Swagger. From the look of the man's face in his 'after' photo, his exaggerated self-opinion he possesses is very apparent, as opposed to his unsure, awkward expression on his 'before' picture. When one sees those two photos, one can clearly see his 'after' shot as a positive one compared to his negative and unpleasant 'before' shot. What this ad is essentially trying to say is that Old Spice makes you "cool"; it is the difference between appearing weird and outrageous to being seen as respectable and successful. The ad is appealing to what people perceive as good and bad in terms of appearance. It shows the extremes of both and just associated themselves to what people are more attracted to.

Week 5: Double Consciousness

Looking back at all the superhero movies we've viewed so far, we can see that each hero has multiple layers. Iron Man isn't just a high-tech super-weapon that defeats enemies using cool gadgets. Underneath is Tony Stark, a man who wants to redeem his father's company seeing how much the weapons they sell caused damage. There are several facets to every other hero as well. Peter Parker is a student, a photographer, a nephew to Aunt May and Uncle Ben. In studying superheros, double consciousness makes us aware of the many things one person is trying to achieve.

In writing my paper regarding American culture's obsession with attaining wealth and success, it helps to see Spider-Man's motives not only as a hero but also as a citizen of New York. It provides another angle to view Spider-Man, keeping in mind that he may also possess the same self-centered desires a human being wants to better their lives. The alter egos of a superhero makes them very complicated because the hero character needs to embody justice and the good for all, yet the human inside can also be tempted by self-gratification. Despite these two different duties or priorities, however, the person must decide which matters to them more. And as I observe the choice they make, it will reveal more about the superhero's character, what motivates and drives him.

Week 4: Allegory of the Cave

Inside the cave as one of the prisoners, I'd imagine it to be a quiet, safe, and predictable place. Even though I’m bound and limited from the things normal people do, I would not know it to be different because this is my “normal”. Day by day, I see the same thing. I guess about which one of the same shadows will pass next. I expect to hear things and see certain forms and shapes. I’m safe and comfortable with my reality.

After being released from this, however, and after walking out of that cave and seeing the sun and the Earth for the first time, it’ll be too much of an overwhelming sight that it would be so impossibly irresistible. Stepping out and discovering another reality would be astounding. I cannot perceive what I’m seeing— the sun, the outside of the cave, the people—as the truth. I would be doubtful, skeptical, and feeling unsure and uneasy about my new and unbelievable surroundings. But, no matter how foreign, the place would be so magnetic.

Upon returning to the cave after what I have witnessed for myself, it would be almost hopeless to try to communicate about these new discoveries. It would seem absurd to them the idea that what they have believed to be truth all their lives is simply not. And attempting to make them believe and trust things they have not seen for themselves would be difficult. What they see is not real, and what they don’t see that is not there is amazing and real. It’ll be incomprehensible to them, just like it was to me the first time I’ve seen it. But I would rather see and engage with an incomprehensible truth, rather than stay in the safe and incomplete darkness.

Week 3: Paraphrasing

In “What is Privilege?”, Allan Johnson brings up the issue of people society giving certain groups an unearned advantage over others. He defines privilege as something people who belong to a certain race, gender, or sexual orientation benefits from, as opposed to those outside of it. According to Johnson, privilege does not dictate whether a person succeeds or fails at something they’re trying to pursue, but it does often impact it in some way. The complicati0n about this is how people may be very unaware of what is happening because of how it has become almost part of the norm. And focusing more on this subtle problem may offend those who are affected positively by privilege.

Niall Richardson’s “The Gospel According to Spider-man” compares the Christian ideology of feeling shame of one’s sin, putting guilt into action, then moving beyond these human feelings to what transpires in Spider-man’s life during the film. When he first came out as a superhero, Richardson says it was about atonement his contribution to his uncle’s death—much like humans’ urge to do good because of our sins. We are born broken sinners, and through our actions we make up for our flawed beings. However, the Word is supposed take over because it is stronger than our will to do what’s right to make up for our wrongs. Spider-man successfully defeats Green Goblin but not through his acquired powers alone but through “spiritual transcendence”. In the same way, people also surpass the conscience-stricken way of living when the Word is made more prominent, as a result affecting and empowering our limited physical capabilities.

Week 2: Example of Privilege?

One obvious example of privilege I can think of is the advantage of white men in politics. During the past presidential election, there was more attention generated by the Democratic Nominees Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton than the other nominees in both parties. It was the prospect of getting either the very first black or woman president that causes much of the media attention. Most of these nominees were white men, but their presence in the race and their ability to lead weren’t criticized or questioned as much. Nobody was surprised that they were being considered, because people have been accustomed to white men holding position in the US government.

When John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States, people didn’t make a big of a deal that he’s white or that he’s a man. They concentrated on the fact that he was Catholic, worrying that his decisions may be too heavily influenced by the Pope or the Catholic Church. During that time, if it were a black woman who has Catholic beliefs that ran during the election, it probably would have been impossible for him to win. A white man has the privilege in the race because they just have always been seen that way in history.

Week 1

My name is Joan Santos, and I am a freshman at APU. As of now, I am still undecided as to what career I should pursue, but I am leaning towards Nursing, Applied Health, or any field related to science. Of all the classes I’ve taken since pre-school, Science and Math have always been the ones that I’ve enjoyed the most. I have grown up and have lived in the Philippines for 13 years, which is why the English language is not exactly my strongest subject. Even though English is the class I struggle the most, I do still enjoy it because of the wonderful books and ways of writing I learn from it.

I have a pretty wide range of interests, from interior designing to watching TV shows about crime-solving. Various forms of entertainment have fascinated me the most, however. I’m really fond of searching for new kinds of music, TV shows, movies, and books that I can obsess over. This is one big reason why I think I will appreciate this Freshman Writing Seminar class than those that deal with other topics. Not only will I get to spend time in class learning about superheroes, but I’ll also connect what I learn to issues in society. I love getting into a certain subject and learning about it in-depth. I expect the class to be very challenging for me, but I also think I will view a superhero movie with a different perspective afterwards.

After seeing Hulk vs Thor, I took note of how I really enjoyed the complex story of the fight. It started out from the evil Loki trying to destroy his brother Thor, but it ultimately became a fight to prevent ragnarok—the destruction of gods in a battle with evil. Some characters were really driven by what they want. Amora desires but cannot have Thor and so she turns against him. Hela wants a soul for the underworld, even taking his father’s to have one. In the end, I appreciated that one character was willing to sacrifice his desire for a “greater good” for the world. Bruce Banner left his comfortable life with Betty in order control the pure raging Hulk who’s wreaking havoc in Asgard. It turns out that with all the efforts of the mighty god Thor, it was an action by a simple but brave man that ultimately caused triumph.