For some reason, I've been thinking about the monologue David Carradine has about Superman in Kill Bill Vol. 2. The one about how Clark Kent is how Superman sees Earthlings, because that's how he behaves to blend in, to disguise himself. Bill describes Clark as weak, bumbling, and a coward.
I don't think a villain in a Quentin Tarantino film is the person to go to for critiques of Superman, but it did make think about how I think of Clark Kent. Firstly, I don't know that Clark is how Superman sees Earthlings so much as he's what Supes thinks is the best way to keep suspicion off him of being Superman. If Superman really meant Clark as a critique of humans, then Clark Kent would act like Steve Lombard (a blowhard who picks on everyone weaker than him), or Luthor (who tries to disguise his jealousy and ego and present a more friendly public face, but can't quite stick the landing.) After all, Clark has almost certainly met more people like those two than he has like himself.
I tend to see Clark as being fairly quiet. Maybe he's shy, maybe he's just comfortable with silence. Good listener, when he isn't distracted. Polite and helpful. Probably helps a lot of people around the office when they need to find some bit of information in the archives, proofreading an article, or just need help lugging some equipment. Even if he slouches while he's Clark, he's still a big guy, grew up on a farm, people aren't going to be that surprised he can carry some boxes. He's probably halfway decent at auto repair, not that he has or needs a car, but I assume he help his parents work on their truck and tractor. He'd know basic engine maintenance, at the least. He'd be pretty popular with a decent amount of his coworkers (my guess is most of them would be in awe or intimidated by Lois, at least initially).
He's not confrontational, takes setbacks and rudeness directed his way in stride. Which might suggest he's laid back, or just calm and patient. Some people perceive it as weakness, others see it as confidence. If he sees someone getting hassled, he may step in, try to mediate. He won't fight (or it won't appear he's fighting), but he won't let the person getting picked on get hurt. People see him as well-meaning, but tell him he should take a self-defense course (including the people he's defending). He can be clumsy, or not, I'm indifferent on that point. If he is clumsy, it probably happens a lot when there's a tense situation and his pratfall provides a distraction.
That covers most of what I can think of at the moment, but I'm not any kind of a Superman expert. So I'd like to hear your thoughts, if you feel like sharing.
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2 comments:
I have never seen Clark as weak, bumbling or cowardly. He was raised from a baby by his farmer foster parents whomwere salt-of-the-earth types, with good values and morals. That's who he is. He also happens to have super powers.
Unlike Batman, who seems to be more the reality, while Bruce Wayne seems to be the act.
That sounds right to me. He'd be a polite, helpful country boy.
The dopey playboy Bruce Wayne is entirely an act. The times where he shows compassion, or talks with some old friend of his parents', that's stuff is genuine, I think. But the Wayne most of the public sees is just for show.
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