Compare and Contrast: Batman and Superman

[CBright]

I'm writing a paper on comparing and contrasting Superman and Batman. I have plenty to contrast the two, but I don't have much to compare to the two. So far, I've said that they both stand for justice. Both suffered traumatic events which changed their history (The Death of Superman and Knightfall), and both have a equally famous arch nemesis. Can anyone help me out and give me a few ideas?

[filthysize]

One of my favorite aspects of the two is the orphan angle. Their loneliness is very compelling stuff, and everytime they bicker about it, it raises an interesting question:

What's worse for an orphan -- having a happy childhood and then have it taken away from you in front of your eyes -- or growing up knowing that you have never and never will meet your real parents or know who you really are.

And they are lonely in very different reasons. Batman purposely makes himself lonely, because he couldn't handle the prospect of being happy. Superman, however, feels that he was destined to be lonely, and tries to reprieve that.

[Mia]

Superman is more trusting and believing in people. Batman isn’t. I don’t think it’s so much being paranoid as it is refusing to be a victim of life.


Superman (probably because he’s invulnerable) is more likely to just ‘go with the flow’. Batman prepares contingencies. Or plans everything out.

Superman is more humble and down to earth. If he fails or falls on his butt. He will dust himself off and try again. Batman will brood and brood and beat himself up with the ‘Should have known better.’


Superman is an extrovert and a people person. Batman is an introvert and more solitary.

Superman loves and adores his wife. Batman would rather play the field.

Superman is a hero partly from the moral upbringing he received along with the duty he feels as a Kheran to teach humans how to be better. Batman is a hero partly out of revenge and so that others do not have to suffer the same way that he did.

Superman is a middle class reporter. Batman is a billionaire tycoon.

[Punch]

Superman is an extrovert and a people person. Batman is an introvert and more solitary.

I don't see anything introverted about Batman.

Another comparison is that both are successful at their "day jobs",

[Mia]

I don't see anything introverted about Batman.

Another comparison is that both are successful at their "day jobs",

Really? And why do say that?

[filthysize]

Really? And why do say that?

An introverted person bottles his problems, not take it out on thugs while wearing a vampire get-up. :D

[The Batman]

Well you also have to consider which characterizations you're looking at, Batman and Superman have been portrayed differently depending an the era you're looking at, and this is something you might want to consider as a way of organizing your paper or expanding it or even just something to include in the intro/conclusion.


btw, both are sentimental what with the trophy rooms and momentos and all.

[Mia]

An introverted person bottles his problems, not take it out on thugs while wearing a vampire get-up. :D

That has nothing to do with introversion or does not characterise an introverted person. An introvert is a a reserved or shy person. Or a person who tends to shrink from social contacts and to become preoccupied with their own thoughts. Describes Batman perfectly to me.

[Punch]

Really? And why do say that?
Because obviously Bruce Wayne is not an introvert. As Batman, he's the "quiet type" because he's observing and paying attention. An introvert is shy.

[Hellstormer]

You know what I realized, Batman and Clark Kent are similiar, and Superman and Bruce Wayne are similar.

[Kaos]

just batman is really vex breh

[Mia]

Because obviously Bruce Wayne is not an introvert. As Batman, he's the "quiet type" because he's observing and paying attention. An introvert is shy.


An introvert is a person who is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people.

Introverts are more concerned with the inner world of the mind. They enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social situations because being around people drains their energy. This is true even if they have good social skills. After being with people for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time alone to "recharge."

When introverts want to be alone, It means that they either need to regain their energy from being around people or that they simply want the time to be with their own thoughts. Being with people, even people they like and are comfortable with, can prevent them from their desire to be quietly introspective.

The opposite of an introvert is an extrovert. And an extrovert is characterised by pronounced engagement with the external world. Extraverts enjoy being with people, are full of energy, and often experience positive emotions. They tend to be enthusiastic, action-oriented individuals who are likely to say "Yes!" or "Let's go!" to opportunities for excitement. In groups they like to talk, assert themselves, and draw attention to themselves.


Batman fits far more comfortably and neatly into the definition of an introvert than an extrovert.



An introvert is a a reserved or shy person. Or a person who tends to shrink from social contacts and to become preoccupied with their own thoughts. Describes Batman perfectly to me.

I want to partly reverse myself in that statment. When I used 'shy' above. I meant in terms of a person who doesn't like to be around people very much. I didn't mean in terms of someone who is timid and afraid.

[Punch]

An introvert is a person who is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people.

Introverts are more concerned with the inner world of the mind. They enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social situations because being around people drains their energy. This is true even if they have good social skills. After being with people for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time alone to "recharge."

When introverts want to be alone, It means that they either need to regain their energy from being around people or that they simply want the time to be with their own thoughts. Being with people, even people they like and are comfortable with, can prevent them from their desire to be quietly introspective.


I don't see Batman as introspective, he's not lost in his thoughts. He has to be keenly aware of his surroundings. I also don't see Batman as the type to "explore his feelings". Batman has trust issues, he's not introverted.

To me Batman is a paranoid type of person.Stanley Kubrick has a great quote
'A paranoid is someone in full possesion of the facts'

[Mia]

I don't see Batman as introspective, he's not lost in his thoughts. He has to be keenly aware of his surroundings. I also don't see Batman as the type to "explore his feelings". Batman has trust issues, he's not introverted.

To me Batman is a paranoid type of person.Stanley Kubrick has a great quote
'A paranoid is someone in full possesion of the facts'

I don't think you understand what the meaning of 'introverted' is, as nothing of what you wrote ties into the definition of introverted or what characterises an introverted person. Just because someone is paranoid does not mean they are not introverted. I don't see why they should be mutually exclusive.

[The Batman]

I don't see Batman as introverted for two reasons. One, he's acting out his feelings on a fairly large canvas every night. There's alot of theatricality and showmanship involved in what Batman does and I think someone who was fairly introverted might not be so comfortable with all the one on one that Batman does. Also I think that alot of the silence and disengagement that Batman does is part of the act or a matter of necessity. He doesn't avoid the spotlight because he doesn't like it, but rather because it makes it that much easier to keep a secret identity and makes that urban legend/myth/mystique that much easier to create or maintain.

Batman not being exactly open about his feelings doesn't make him an introvert, just a private person or someone with trust issues. Not being an introvert also doesn't make him automatically and extrovert, at least not for me. I see him as the strong, silent type. Not a chatterbox like Plastic Man might be or one for the quips like Spidey nor is he berserk like Orion but also not someone who is afraid to speak out, he's pretty good at giving orders, or to shrink from the spotlight for any other reason than it's advantageous for him to not be prominent.

That and when you're busy working on protocols and stuff you're going to be a little too distracted to take a big part in any conversation. It's better for him to just not say anything than to say at a JLA meeting "Oh sorry, I wasn't paying attention I was too busy working on protocols to take you guys out just in case."

;)

[Mia]

I don't see Batman as introverted for two reasons. One, he's acting out his feelings on a fairly large canvas every night. There's alot of theatricality and showmanship involved in what Batman does and I think someone who was fairly introverted might not be so comfortable with all the one on one that Batman does. Also I think that alot of the silence and disengagement that Batman does is part of the act or a matter of necessity. He doesn't avoid the spotlight because he doesn't like it, but rather because it makes it that much easier to keep a secret identity and makes that urban legend/myth/mystique that much easier to create or maintain.

But that does not constitute being an introvert. An Introvert is someone who
is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people. They enjoy thinking and really don't like being around people that much. Many introverts are good at performing or putting on a show before large audiences. But hate smaller and more intimate settings. Hilary Clinton and George Bush (I) are both introverts. So is David Letterman.





Batman not being exactly open about his feelings doesn't make him an introvert, just a private person or someone with trust issues. Not being an introvert also doesn't make him automatically and extrovert, at least not for me. I see him as the strong, silent type. Not a chatterbox like Plastic Man might be or one for the quips like Spidey nor is he berserk like Orion but also not someone who is afraid to speak out, he's pretty good at giving orders, or to shrink from the spotlight for any other reason than it's advantageous for him to not be prominent.;)

Again those are not qualities that make up an introvert. Being an introvert has nothing to do with being able to 'give orders', it's not synonomous with being shy or timid or chatting non stop. I've worked for introverts, who are great at delagating and managing. But are lousy with idle chit chat and small talk. Or frankly have no use for it.

[The Batman]

But that does not constitute being an introvert. An Introvert is someone who
is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people. They enjoy thinking and really don't like being around people that much. Many introverts are good at performing or putting on a show before large audiences. But hate smaller and more intimate settings. Hilary Clinton and George Bush (I) are both introverts. So is David Letterman.

Okay. Batman doesn't avoid groups because he doesn't like them but because he's either got better things to do or because he doesn't want a bunch of people around who he doesn't trust to be properly trained enough as to not get hurt. That has nothing to do with enjoying or not enjoying people or being drained by being around people; it's a matter of safety and people not getting hurt and getting the job done properly.






Again those are not qualities that make up an introvert. Being an introvert has nothing to do with being able to 'give orders', it's not synonomous with being shy or timid or chatting non stop. I've worked for introverts, who are great at delagating and managing. But are lousy with idle chit chat and small talk. Or frankly have no use for it.

Batman's not lousy at idle chit chat, he's been shown to be exceptionally good at it when need be. The entire playboy Bruce Wayne persona is built around him being able to be engaging. He doesn't stop to talk either because it's too busy, he just doesn't want to, or because it'd sort of ruin that mystique he's built up that's so necessary for what he does.

That seems to make a case that Batman is obsessed and private, he's willing to forgoe normal human contact for the purposes of his war on crime, more than it does that he's introverted.

[chilled monkey]

An introvert is a person who is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people.

Introverts are more concerned with the inner world of the mind. They enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social situations because being around people drains their energy. This is true even if they have good social skills. After being with people for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time alone to "recharge."

When introverts want to be alone, It means that they either need to regain their energy from being around people or that they simply want the time to be with their own thoughts. Being with people, even people they like and are comfortable with, can prevent them from their desire to be quietly introspective.



Sorry to go off-topic for a moment, but you are 100% right. You just described ME perfectly. That's exactly how I feel.

[boy wonder]

introvert
1. One who focuses primarily on their own mind, feelings or affairs

extrovert
1. One who is outgoing; sociable or concerned with outer affairs.

ambivert (plural ambiverts)
1. A person who is neither clearly extroverted nor introverted, but has characteristics of each.

When bickering about word definitions, some times it helps to use reputable sources to base discussion on. That way it doesn't turn into "ur rong & im telling u y but u dont lisin cuz ur a jerk" Which this seems to be progressing to.

No offence.

[Mia]

Okay. Batman doesn't avoid groups because he doesn't like them but because he's either got better things to do
or because he doesn't want a bunch of people around who he doesn't trust to be properly trained enough as to not get hurt. That has nothing to do with enjoying or not enjoying people or being drained by being around people; it's a matter of safety and people not getting hurt and getting the job done properly.



Batman's not lousy at idle chit chat, he's been shown to be exceptionally good at it when need be. The entire playboy Bruce Wayne persona is built around him being able to be engaging. He doesn't stop to talk either because it's too busy, he just doesn't want to, or because it'd sort of ruin that mystique he's built up that's so necessary for what he does.

That seems to make a case that Batman is obsessed and private, he's willing to forgoe normal human contact for the purposes of his war on crime, more than it does that he's introverted.

Yes like you said 'when need be'.

Much like a business executive or manager who attends parties, charitable events or golf games because it's good for business. Bruce's whole 'playboy' persona is part and parcel in keeping up a public profile so that people won't pry too deeply into his personal life. He doesn't socialise out of his own personal enjoyment. It's part of his work. Either to protect his Batman persona. Or in order to forge business relationships or for good publicity for Wayne Enterprises. He doesn't do it because he wants to. Most introverts know that they can at least fake being sociable. Look at David Letterman. But given a choice he would rather be on his own.

[Mia]

When bickering about word definitions, some times it helps to use reputable sources to base discussion on. That way it doesn't turn into "ur rong & im telling u y but u dont lisin cuz ur a jerk" Which this seems to be progressing to.

No offence.


None take whatsoever. I admire you for at least for looking up and understanding the definitions, before answering.

[Gilda Dent]

I think many people are mistaking "introvert" for "shy". They may appear to be the same from the outside, in that both tend to cause the person so described to avoid social interaction where not necessary, and they may lack social skills as a result, but it occurs for different reasons.

The introvert is more interested in the inner world and gets more from exploring that, from solitary pursuits. Introverts don't seek out social activities not because they aren't skilled at social functioning, but because they don't find much pleasure in them. Many actually are quite adept at social functioning and have no fear regarding it, they just don't get as much out of it as they do solitary pursuits and exploring the internal world.

Keep in mind that "exploring the internal world" isn't restricted to feelings. It just means an inward focus. All the time Bruce spent studying and developing his knowledge of crime and martial arts and so forth fits right in with this when you look at his motive for doing so. He didn't study martial arts out of a desire for contact and interaction with others, but as a method of improving himself. In other words, exploration of the inner world, something a lot of people come to the martial arts for.

A shy person is someone who fears or has anxiety concerning social interaction. This is usually a product of an irrational fear of doing or saying something embarrassing, a fear of looking like a fool. Shy people tend to lack confidence in their ability to function in a given social situation.

A very good example of a fictional character who is an introvert, but not the least bit shy is Gil Grissom on CSI. He's happy studying bugs or reading forensic textbooks, but doesn't have the slightest fear of social situations or lack of confidence about how he functions in them. He's an assertive introvert. Scei

Johnny Carson was the opposite--he loved the spotlight and was quite skilled at manipulating thousands and millions, was very likable in his performance persona--but was practically nonfunctional at a party or in an intimate social setting. He was a shy extrovert. He was once described as good with a thousand people, lousy with a dozen. Comedians, actors, and other performers frequently fall into this category.

Mia has it nailed. Batman is an introvert who also happens to be aggressive in his pursuit of justice. Bruce manages the playboy image well as part of his cover, but that's what it is, a cover. He doesn't do it because it's something he enjoys for the most part, but because it's necessary.

Now, for similarities, you may be missing some because you're coming at this from a comic book fan perspective and are missing some obvious ones because they're superhero conventions.

They're superheroes. They care about stopping crime, saving lives, protecting the innocent, and justice. They each have a city they've chosen to protect. Both have secret identities that are concealed through wearing a costume when fighting crime. They wear costumes with the same basic format--trunks, boots, and cape on top of a solid colored tights and unitard. They're very similar looking physically--tall, muscular, dark-haired men in their 30's. Both have a code against killing.

A good way to set up a comparison and contrast paper is to take similarities and show how they play out in different ways. For example, though they both have a code against killing, Superman has killed in current continuity, while Batman has not (I'm a bit out of date here, so correct me if I'm wrong on these.) Superman's costume is designed to draw attention while Batmans is designed to blend into the shadows.

Building off of comparisons to find your contrasts gives a nice extra layer of depth to your paper. You also need to find a core them to use when comparing and contrasting, something to relate everything back to when writing the paper.

I hope that helped.

Gilda

[Agentum]

Being introvert is not all bad, i don't think you should describe it as being shy.

There is people that likes being alone, making their own decisions for themselves.

I don't see it as a negative thing.

We could say that an extrovert almost never complete things, is shortsighted and so on to make it sound negative.

And i think very few is on the far sides on those two, not even Batman and Superman is only one of those things.