The Style Gent reflects on the differences between two of the most famous alter-egos.
I’ve been contemplating this post for quite sometime. Mostly because of my fascination with male archetypes, a fellow blogger’s post and some Twitter conversations that I’ve been having lately. It began with a post by @GentlemanRedux called “Don’t Expect A Superman If You Won’t Be a Wonder Woman” – a really good read. I had talked with @WarrenLiao and @ImageGranted on the style and clothing choices of Mr. Wayne and Mr. Kent. The question was asked who you would like to be and why. Then I begin to think about personality, lifestyle and began to wonder which one would I prefer. My choice? Clark.
What’s Your Choice?
[polldaddy poll=5163846]
You may laugh, but I’ll explain my reasons about why I think he’s a better choice. It’s not because of his Kryptonian heritage. I’ll go into that a little later. @QuentinMcCall tweeted on the virtues of a good woman bringing out the “Superman” in her man by giving her his encouraging support.
He said:
“A good woman will help transform a man from Clark Kent into Superman.”
I responded:
“Most of us have Bruce Wayne tendencies and need to develop Clark Kent habits.”
I believe that for some or most of us we tend to gravitate toward Bruce Wayne, rather than Clark Kent. Why? Well, because he’s wealthy, successful, a ladies man, has impeccable taste in clothing, Heck, even Gorgio Armani advertised himself as being Bruce’s designer of choice.
Now I won’t knock the pull toward Mr. Wayne. There was a time when I really liked the enigmatic duality that he represents. I think that most guys would agree that he definitely has the swag, cool influence, power and sophistication that we’d like to attain. However, like most male archetypal heroes he comes with a slew of emotional baggage. His motivations and methods are questionable and he’s never truly attains any real happiness. We all know his story: Young, rich trust fund baby who witnesses his parents murder, searing him severely psychologically, causing him to become a vigilante who continues to punish those who prey on the weak or innocent. He lives two lives…one of luxury and one of guilt and anger that plays out each night he puts on that cowl. It’s a lonely existence. His relationships are filled with women that are either trophies for his arm, those who try to heal him, or a latex-wearing, emotionally scarred sexpot with a penchant for stealing and men in bat suits. Not a good look. Ultimately, Bruce’s life to the outside looks perfect but we know better.
Personally, I now gravitate toward Mr. Kent. Kal-El son of Jor-El but not because of his Sun induced, Kryptonian powers or his Christian origin overtones or even that perfect hair and cowlick that he’s famous for. It’s because of the unassuming power and meekness he posses as Clark Kent. I’ve always been fascinated with motive and intent. Bruce and Clark are perfect examples. Both are heroes, both had tragic pasts but each took a different route to their lives. Sure, Clark lives a life of duality but his reasons are completely different from Bruce’s and this plays out even when they interact with each other either as their caped or secret identities.
Clark’s a hero because he understands the proper use of Power, the balance view of Justice, he knows how to give and receive Love and is Wise enough to know when those qualities are out of sync. Bruce’s guilt and sense of powerlessness drives him to put on the cowl. Sure he has the cars, the parties, random women and cool gadgets, but his life is constantly filled with frustration, failed relationships and emptiness. In contrast, Clark lives a relatively simple life, with a good job and a stable relationship with a woman that sees something in him that drew her to in. Was it the hair? the chiseled pecs, arms and chest? Was it the physical power that he possesses? Possibly, but not likely. If you are familiar with the timeline, you know that there was a time when Clark willingly gave up those powers to live a normal life with Lois. Turns out she loved him anyway. The powers were a bonus. Clark is by no means perfect, he struggles with his own issues. Yet, it doesn’t plague his life day-to-day like a millstone around his neck.
Now I’m not trying to get philosophical, but I believe that there is a lesson to be learned:
- We can’t run from our past, we can only make peace with it, learn from it and move on.
- In everything there is choice. No matter what our background may be: wealthy or poor, disadvantaged or privileged, sordid or stable, we all can use that as a reason to justify our actions. If we have a tragic past will we squander that experience on destructive behavior or use it to help someone avoid making those same mistakes we may have made?
- Having money and wealth doesn’t make you happy, neither does having a regular 9 to 5. Having purpose does. Not just purpose centered around self, but purpose centered around helping others.
- Purpose needs to be motivated by pure intent. Purpose motivated by guilt, fear, greed, arrogance and self righteousness won’t last and won’t ultimately make a lasting impact on your life or the lives of others.
I admire Clark because of his meekness, his kindness and tenderness. He knows he can leap tall buildings in a single bound, fly faster than a speeding bullet, has unquestionable super human strength but his healthy self-esteem gives him the ability to not take it too seriously, to display those abilities only when absolutely necessary and to be ok with wearing those geeky glasses, play the awkward reporter and even be second fiddle to his alter ego so that he and Lois can have a life of purpose together. Can we do that? Do you have the strength not to be first, to display meekness, kindness and to put others before yourself?
”A man’s power is in his mental, emotional, mental & spiritual strength, the ability to refrain when necessary & act when called upon.” – TSG
Originally appeared at The Style Gent
I wonder if you’re also comparing the Bruce Wayne we’ve seen in Christopher Nolan’s Batman or the comic books Bruce Wayne, which shows Wayne as a philanthropist and stoic but also wise and cautious with less ladies tugging on his arms than what’s in the movies. I find Wayne to be more dynamic than Kent and thus real. Kent, despite his great and trying past has never come off that real to me, maybe because he’s an ideal (an unattainable one at that) and Wayne is something we know exist. Now, if you were asking which would we want to… Read more »
Yo Style Gent,
Whenever I think of the attraction that Lois Lane has for Superman—and the LACK of attraction that she has for Clark Kent, I sometimes wondered if it was Superman’s hidden preference that Lois Lane would love Clark Kent the way that she loved Superman.
In a way, it’s almost like he wished she were more attracted to “the man” than she was to “the super”.
I imagine it must be a helluva predicament for a man to actually be jealous of his own alter ego…
As our Allie Henri Morris likes to say: “Just a thought”….
Thanks V.U. for the comment. I would imagine that Clark may have felt that way at one time. Possibly that is the REAL question: Does she love the Super or the Man. But, remember er that in the original second movie (Superman II) Clark reveals his duality and I believe she loved Clark not JUST because he was Superman but because all of that power, regality and good looks was tempered with humility, kindness and an endearing sense of self in both of those roles: hero and everyman.
In my view, all these super-hero characters are entirely one dimensional. No depth of description, very little to connect with. Not that I’m not entertained – many of the comics and movies are good fun. But a meaningful relation to my own life, or just about any lived life? No. None.
Thanks for the comment Lars. Societies fascination with super hero and the duality of their lives dates as far back as ancient Greek mythology, possibly even farther. The correlation between hero archetypes (Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces goes into detail about this) and how males see themselves is evident in the subtle but impactful way they are generally physically portrayed: square jawed, strong chiseled V lined upper body, an either tragic past or quest to “save” a person, (mostly a woman) or achieve a greater cultural society. Some of us remember a time in our lives as… Read more »
Right. My observation was mostly a datapoint. Most of the comic superhero characters just don’t do it for me; I do hear you that others do feel the connection. I agree that interesting themes at work with, say, Peter Parker or Bruce Wayne – I just never felt they were explored. I never get in touch with whatever it is that’s happening in Bruce Wayne. You mention the classics, and in fact I find it easier to relate to Achilles or Aeneas – not just because of the majestic stories, but more importantly because I can feel their pain, anger,… Read more »
I try to be Clark Kent moving towards Bruce Wayne, but I usually find myself being Peter Parker.
Thanks for the comment. Peter Parker is a great character, “with great power comes great responsibility.” The loss of his Uncle (which he blames himself for) drives him as well, although he often uses humor to deflect his pain. He has his own conflict and issues, but he never loses sight of who he is and maintains a solid sense of self.