Synthèse anglais MPSI

« NAME : MAHIET Pierre CLASS : MPSI 3 DATE : April 10th, 2021 Synthesis : The superheroes' influence The last few years, the craze on the film industry and more especially for superhero movies has grown steadily.

The four documents – an article that appeared in The Economist on August 2019, a radio paper of N.Aizenman issues form National Public Radio on October 2016, an article written by Keith A.

Spencer on April 2018 for the US Web magazine Salon and an extract of Watchmen, a comic book of Alan Moore dating from 1987 - tackle some aspects of the issues, trying to explain if superheroes are simple objects of entertainment or means of propaganda. We will first see how the superheroes reflect the society then their use as propaganda and finally the role of the new ones. To please observers, superheroes are the image of our society.

Even though there is a world between us and them, the film industry creates an interaction between superheros power and real world institution, which is explained by The Economist. Film franchises use current events so that viewers can relate to their creation.

That's what DC Comics has done with Wonder Woman.

First female superhero, she represents the power of women and highlights the feminist movement that emerged in the 20th century. Sometimes superheroes bring out the absurdity of our world.

Indeed, in the extract of Alan Moore's book, the death of Dollar Bill is staged to denounce the idea of always wanting to do more advertissement for his business. Superheroes, most of which are American, for many emerged in the 20th century in a particular global context.

This is why they served as propaganda for the state.

As we learn in the Salon article, in this type of film, the US government is always seen as a force of good that protects and saves the world.

This idea is reinforced by the extract from Watchmen.

Reading the passage, we realize that each superhero represents an american citizen (the military, the father, the athlete ...).

So this propaganda is camouflaged by the analogy with the spectators who see themselves through these heros. Superhero blockbusters reach a very large audience.

It is therefore easy for the State to assert itself.

For example, Keith Spencer puts forward the propaganda of the police and military forces, an authority juged essential in the films. However, not all of these propaganda are malicious.

N.

Aizenman makes this very clear when she tells us that superheroes promotes also freedom, development and equality in all areas. Nevertheless, today the world context is absolutely not the same as the last p.1 word count : 532. »