Earlier this 12 months, academics at my daughter’s preschool expressed curiosity in having me speak to her class about my work on superheroes. Initially, I used to be uncertain I might discover a matter inside my work that preschoolers and their academics would discover related. Fortunately, my spouse inspired me to maintain considering, and driving house someday, a candidate emerged. One, I consider, is highlighted in James Gunn’s Superman (2025) and speaks to the essence of what makes the character so in style throughout generations.

When my spouse requested me what I took from Superman, I targeted on reciprocity. If there are norms that may moderately be thought of common (or a minimum of extensively cross-cultural), then reciprocity is one such norm. I’m most concerned with ethical reciprocity that happens within the context of simply social relations and a regard for others’ inherent dignity. 

Superman as Servant or Despot?

As people, we are likely to care about social alternate being honest and treating others as we wish to be handled. I think about that is taught and mentioned, in some kind, at my daughter’s preschool. One of many issues I respect in regards to the movie is how Superman (David Corenswet) ceaselessly signifies the significance of those features of the norm, and the way this signification happens in opposition to the backdrop of a message his mother and father gave him earlier than or throughout his journey to Earth.

It’s a message in two halves that viewers are inspired to think about in gentle of his actions. The primary half, which emphasizes serving humanity and making the world higher, creates situations that make residing exterior the norm as each giver and receiver doable. The identical might be stated for Superman’s basic prohibition in opposition to taking life, human and non-human. Concerning others as price serving and value inhabiting a greater world makes it simpler to deal with them as you need to be handled. 

Alternatively, the second half of the message, which focuses on lording over others and imposing obedience, precludes such a risk. It’s exhausting, if not inconceivable, to see the inherent dignity in others when viewing oneself as morally above them.

Earlier than studying of the second half of the message later within the movie, we’re solely conscious of the primary, which Superman proudly states defines his superhero mission. As soon as a metahuman working for Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), The Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría), reconstructs the second half, management, Superman and the world hear it for the primary time. A part of what makes Superman in style throughout generations is how he chooses to embrace the primary half, serve, and resist the second half of the movie’s message 

Whether or not or not I find yourself sharing my work at my daughter’s college, fascinated about how superheroes signify the reciprocity norm is proving fruitful, and I’m at present writing a paper exploring this concept. James Gunn’s Superman is useful, as lots of the scenes illustrate options of the norm that I plan to discover. They take care of the connection between the sacred and secular, the connection between people and governments, and the potential for brand new social preparations. 

Superman, the Secular, and the Sacred

Within the opening scene, what instantly stands out is his relationship to the solar/daylight. As publicity rapidly heals him from his accidents, I take into consideration the parallels between the solar/daylight and “dark-light” spiritual themes in numerous world traditions and in present-day in style tradition. Superman has appealed to secular and spiritual students for years, and I feel a part of the rationale lies in his method to the reciprocity norm.

The Golden Boy exemplifies the Golden Rule and persistently treats others as he wish to be handled. In doing so, he symbolizes the ability of sunshine and hope. Lex Luthor, by his self-professed envy and dogged willpower to deal with others as means to an finish, symbolizes their absence. As he does with others, although, Superman believes that even Lex is price saving and might change. The resonance of the Golden Rule throughout time and societies is a method that the reciprocity norm, and its signifier, Superman, mix the secular with the sacred.

Superman, People, and the State

Moments after the opening scene, journalist Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) interviews Superman about his choice to intervene in a battle between two nations, the extra highly effective and resourceful Boravia and Jarhanpur. Whereas Superman believes his actions are justified as a result of they resulted in de-escalation, his solely motive, Lois presses him on the implications on the subject of nationwide sovereignty and (the specter of) state violence. Implications that floor once more later when the nations are once more getting ready to warfare, and youngsters in Jarhanpur hoist up a Superman flag.

This interview, whereas consistent with present scholarship analyzing superheroes by sovereignty concerns, additionally alludes to a different characteristic of the reciprocity norm: interrogating the individual-state relationship. What recourse do people have when governments don’t act of their greatest curiosity, or, worse, actively suppress basic human rights?

Many superhero comics, sequence, and movies discover governments that (1) “break dangerous” on this method, (2) are basically corrupt, (3) are incompetent or incapable of defending their residents, or (4) are instituted by supervillains. Since superheroes, like states, can act as sovereign powers, they typically signify the reciprocity norm by their potential to maintain governments trustworthy and, when crucial, maintain them accountable. 

Superman and New Social Preparations

Superman, just like the reciprocity norm, reminds us of the potential for brand new social preparations. A favourite scene entails Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), whose potential to copy Kryptonite permits him to weaken Superman. He initially refuses Superman’s request for assist after Lex Luthor takes Superman captive. But, as soon as Lex kills an harmless particular person and Metamorpho chooses to not intervene, he feels responsible and decides to assist Superman.

Metamorpho’s choice to lastly assist Superman results in new social preparations in a way in keeping with the reciprocity norm. By treating others how he desires to be handled, not solely is he in a position to get his son again and be a father, however he joins a crew of superheroes consisting of Man Gardner/Inexperienced Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi). In impact, his social world is altered. 

Superman and the Remainder of Us

At its coronary heart, Superman speaks to the ability and potential of residing out ethical reciprocity. Although not excellent, by his actions alongside interpersonal and worldwide dimensions, he tries to deal with others as ends and never means by regarding them in a way in keeping with the Golden Rule. Nonetheless, because the movie additionally attests, doing so isn’t with out its challenges, as Lois, at occasions, factors out. However, he provides folks the advantage of the doubt and assumes, except he learns in any other case, that folks might be trusted.

After all, that is simpler when you’re a virtually indestructible meta-human. As I’ve written elsewhere, superheroes’ enchantment isn’t a lot of their skills, however of their operate as ethical abstractions, reminding us to take the welfare, justice, and human rights of others significantly. A method Superman and others do that is by highlighting the significance of reciprocity in social relations.

Works Cited

Curtis, Neal. Sovereignty and Superheroes. Manchester College Press. December 2015.

Fry, Douglas P. “Reciprocity: The Basis Stone of Morality”. Handbook of Ethical  Improvement: Quantity 1 – Theor. eds. Melanie Killen and Judith G. Smetana. Routledge. September 1991.

Helwig, Charles C., Elliot Turiel, and Larry P. Nucci. “The Virtues and Vices of Ethical Improvement Theorists”. Developmental Assessment. 1996.

Martin, Justin. “Social Superheroes: Interactions, Judgments, and the Superhero Mission”. Transmedia Purposes in Literacy Fields. ed. Jason DeHart. IGI World. July 2024.