How much can one person endure before they lose their morals? “Super Human” by Nicola Yoon is a short story about a superhero named “X” who was once a beacon of hope, but turns to the city he once protected, and plans to destroy humanity as a whole. He gives the world an ultimatum, and says that if they can convince him that humanity is worth saving, he will not kill them. That is where the main character, Syrita, comes in. She was the first person X ever saved. The fate of the world lies on the shoulders of a seventeen-year-old girl. By analyzing the story through the archetypal lens, the transition of X going from the “Hero” archetype to the “Rebel” archetype is evident. The archetypal lens involves analyzing stories through the use of archetypes,
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Different archetypes are represented throughout the story, such as Syrita being the “Everyman” archetype and the police officers mirroring the “Villian” archetype. The author tells a story through common archetypes that highlights the racial injustices in America and how systematic racism and bystanders can trap individuals in a constant cycle of simultaneously being the bad guys among those who are privileged. When X is in costume he is treated with respect and is praised, but outside of it, he faces the discrimination experienced by a Black man. The “Hero” archetype is loved by all, they are selfless, caring, and want what is better for society, while the “Rebel” archetype is defined by their independence, rebellion, and need to challenge the status quo. The transformation from the “Hero” archetype to the “Rebel” archetype is a massive change as the characteristics are practically opposite. However, this archetype switch reveals a lot about the character. X was a beloved hero who just wanted to help people until one event altered everything. X was shot by a police …show more content…
While not everyone resembles a police officer, such incidents occur often enough to the point where Black families have to instruct their children on what to do when encountering the police to ensure their safety. Systematic racism traps them in this cycle, which is nearly impossible to escape from. X’s identity as a Black man was exposed very early in his career and news outlets were dehumanizing him before calling him African American, “They all thought I wasn’t human. But I am.” (Yoon). With the archetypes having set characteristics to them, going from the “Hero” to the “Rebel” is a drastic change on paper, but when considering the history of how Black people are treated in America, it does not become as drastic anymore. His development from the all-caring superhero to the antagonist of the story is centuries of history and rage being unleashed on a society that has betrayed him, and on a system that has had his family killed, “My brother got shot. My uncle got shot. Before she died, my mom said she wanted a world where bullets could never break my skin.” (Yoon). X’s reaction is understandable, given there is no correct manner to react to such a
Different archetypes are represented throughout the story, such as Syrita being the “Everyman” archetype and the police officers mirroring the “Villian” archetype. The author tells a story through common archetypes that highlights the racial injustices in America and how systematic racism and bystanders can trap individuals in a constant cycle of simultaneously being the bad guys among those who are privileged. When X is in costume he is treated with respect and is praised, but outside of it, he faces the discrimination experienced by a Black man. The “Hero” archetype is loved by all, they are selfless, caring, and want what is better for society, while the “Rebel” archetype is defined by their independence, rebellion, and need to challenge the status quo. The transformation from the “Hero” archetype to the “Rebel” archetype is a massive change as the characteristics are practically opposite. However, this archetype switch reveals a lot about the character. X was a beloved hero who just wanted to help people until one event altered everything. X was shot by a police …show more content…
While not everyone resembles a police officer, such incidents occur often enough to the point where Black families have to instruct their children on what to do when encountering the police to ensure their safety. Systematic racism traps them in this cycle, which is nearly impossible to escape from. X’s identity as a Black man was exposed very early in his career and news outlets were dehumanizing him before calling him African American, “They all thought I wasn’t human. But I am.” (Yoon). With the archetypes having set characteristics to them, going from the “Hero” to the “Rebel” is a drastic change on paper, but when considering the history of how Black people are treated in America, it does not become as drastic anymore. His development from the all-caring superhero to the antagonist of the story is centuries of history and rage being unleashed on a society that has betrayed him, and on a system that has had his family killed, “My brother got shot. My uncle got shot. Before she died, my mom said she wanted a world where bullets could never break my skin.” (Yoon). X’s reaction is understandable, given there is no correct manner to react to such a