In “What Makes Superman So Darned American,” Gary Engle makes the point that Superman is an orphan, and immigrant, and has unique “ethnic characteristics.” In America, everyone excluding Native Americans have connections to other countries where their ancestors immigrated, which gives fans of Superman a connection to the superhero. Superman is a person who came to America, was down on his luck (being an orphan whose home planet was just destroyed,) but was able to succeed and become a hero who saves the universe. Additionally, Engle points out that Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, represents the immigrant who seamlessly assimilates to American culture, so much so that he becomes ordinary and unrecognizable. On the other hand, Superman represents a unique immigrant identity. Even though Superman assimilated, he still holds on to his “ethnic characteristics,” which he then uses to uphold the moral values of society.
Besides representing the ultimate, successful immigration story, Superman embodies American ideals of patriotism and justice. In “Up, Up, and Oy Vey,” Simcha Weinstein quotes a line from Superman after the Nazis praise him as being a true hero. Superman says, “I am an American like all true Americans; I must strive to be a champion of tolerance and diversity…justice and kindness!” Superman is so honorable and decent that he saves a group of Nazis and then teaches them about American values. Superman is supposed to be a symbol of good and a hero for all.
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