Superheroes & Celebrities

Journal Prompt: (10 min.) In your notes, explain to the two statements and contrast them. A hero creates himself. A celebrity is created by the media. Unsung heroes, Everyday heroes, Historical heroes How are heroes and celebs depicted differently in the media?

Hero? -- Or Not? HERO? Or Not?

“A sign of a celebrity is that his name is often worth more than his services.” Daniel Boorstin Historian Celebs get big bucks and astronaut gets very little for risking his life Heroes have no tangible reward

James Pruett, Consumer Sociologist Celebrity Brands may last a lifetime. Heroic Brands may last thousands of years. WHY??? Characteristics of a true hero are everlasting, ie courage, putting others before self, risk taking, perseverance in the face of negativity Heroes last forever, celebs fade Pruett: We should use heroes to brand products in order to change public perception of who should be our role models

SUPERHEROES– another type of hero Do you have a favorite superhero? If so, who is it? Why? What heroic qualities/characteristics do they possess? Share your responses with someone sitting next to you.

SUPERMAN by Five for Fighting I can’t stand to fly I’m not that naive I’m just out to find The better part of me I’m more than a bird I’m more than a plane More than some pretty face beside a train It’s not easy to be me Wish that I could cry Fall upon my knees Find a way to lie About a home I’ll never see It may sound absurd But don’t be naive Even heroes have the right to bleed I may be disturbed But won’t you concede Even heroes have the right to dream Up, up and away, away from me It’s all right You can all sleep sound tonight I’m not crazy or anything. Men weren’t meant to ride With clouds between their knees I’m only a man in a silly red sheet Digging for kryptonite on this one way street Only a man in a funny red sheet Looking for special things inside of me I’m only a man In a funny red sheet. Looking for a dream In a funny red sheet And it’s not easy. http://viewpure.com/GRz4FY0ZcwI?start=0&end=0

Response Questions Who is the speaker in this song? What does this song have to say about being a hero? Does the speaker sound resentful? Does being a hero sometimes make a hero isolated? Why does this particular hero feel isolated? What is the mood of this song?

Superman CHRISTOPHER REEVE DEAD AT 52 “SUPERMAN” ACTOR BECAME CHAMPION FOR PARALYSIS RESEARCH OCT. 11, 2004, ABC NEWS American actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, author, and activist. Best known for his role as Superman in 1978.

Superman Article Discussion Read the article on your own. Respond to these questions on the back of the exit slip. Be prepared to share your responses with the class.  How did Christopher Reeve epitomize both types of heroes (larger-than-life heroes and everyday heroes)?  How could an everyday hero like Reeve be even more inspiring than Superman?

Hero Hall of Fame Take out your hero definition (notecards from Monday) Read the short bio(s) of your assigned hero(es) After reading, discuss with a partner whether or not this individual is a hero or not.

Redefining ‘hero’ Instructions: In your two-hero groups, compare your “hero” definitions from last class. Compile your definitions to create a new, more condensed definition. Copy the NEW “hero” definition on the back of your exit slip. Be prepared to share your ideas and heroes with the class.

Class Definitions of a Hero

Possible Working Definition A person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for brave deeds and noble qualities.