superhuman!
As an influential archetype of the superhero genre, Superman possesses extraordinary powers.
As a closeted archetype of the superhero genre, we possess the same extraordinary powers
Superman’s famous arsenal of powers includes x-ray, heat-emitting, telescopic, infra-red and microscopic vision. He possesses super-hearing and super-smell. He has incredibly tough skin that cannot be pierced by even an exploding artillery shell. He can lift cars over his head, hurl mountains, withstand nuclear blasts, soar into the sun unharmed, and survive in the vacuum of outer space without oxygen. He can fly with ease to other worlds, galaxies and even across universes!
Guess what? We have at our disposal the same arsenal of powers!
Superman as metaphor—and model for us—goes deep into his character:
1. Superman is vulnerable to green Kryptonite, mineral debris from Krypton transformed into radioactive material by the forces that destroyed that planet. Exposure to green Kryptonite radiation nullifies Superman’s superpowers and immobilizes him with pain and nausea. Prolonged exposure will eventually kill him.
“Green Kryptonite” is also our human Achilles’ heel. In our culture, the color “green” symbolizes human greed, jealousy and envy. These human emotions get in our way of realizing our true human potential as kind, wise—and powerful—beings!
Culturally, the color “green” also represents being a novice, being inexperienced—that is, not developed, not ready: our underdevelopment of universal love and understanding keeps us from using our natural super (spiritual) powers.
2. Superman is a hero in the mythic tradition, inspired by such popular and admired