Female Superheroes Essay Example

Buffy is forced to complete the trials of the Watchers Council in order to keep her powers, while superheroes like Thor or Clark Kent from Smallville *are able to defy trials and break the rules while still keeping their powers.Based on these opposing power positions, the trials experienced by male superheroes differ significantly from those experienced by their female counterparts.' How does the interaction between Kal-El and Jor-El highlight the notion of a mock trial? Why is that important? Males get to control their own trials, whereas females aren't given a choice. Similarly Clark determines the outcome of his own trial. How does the male 'trial' differ from the female trial, according to O'Reilly? “Wonder Woman set a precedent of deference for future superpowered woman, whereas Superman set a precedent of assumed autonomy for future superpowered men.” Most trials are designed to prove the superheroes worthiness.

The female superhero trials are designed so that they must demonstrate and defend their abilities. Why is 'female superhero' an oxymoron? “Because she (Wonder Woman) is both feminine and aggressive”. Most people see femininity and aggression as mutually exclusive. Why is Wonder Woman not unique? How is it that she could have been replaced while Superman and Batman could not? The trials of these female superheroes emphasize the successive nature of their power; while each female superhero may be unique to her generation, others have come before and probably will come after. While Diana won the ‘‘bullets and bracelets’’ challenge to be proclaimed the strongest soldier of the Amazon’s, had she failed, one of her Amazon sisters would have fulfilled her role as Wonder Woman in America. Ultimately there will

always be another Wonder Woman or female superhero, whereas Superman or Batman are their own thing- only one. As a group, locate one other interesting part of the article to discuss? What did you choose and why? One interesting part of the article was “Buffy Summers,” in which it discusses Buffy’s similarities to Wonder Woman. For one, it discusses how Buffy was the “Chosen One,” and discovers her powers and abilities. Additionally, through being armed, Buffy is capable to defeat her enemies, as is Wonder Woman.