Neo-Aristotelian Criticism

As part of the fufilment of my Qualitative class featuring Dr. George of Hawaii Pacific University, I have posted this short analysis on WEBCT's discussion board:

The kind of research question this method suggests for my artifact is: “How does the stamp of Batman represent masculinity amongst American males?”

The artifact to be analyzed is the collection of DC Comics Super Hero Chapter One specifically the one at the top right corner featuring Batman. The collection is estimated to have sold 73 million and ranks at the top five of popular stamps in 2006 right behind Elvis stamp collection which sold 124.1 million.

To reconstruct the context of the artifact is to have taken a peek of Bob Kane, the creator of Batman and Superman, as Kane grew up in tragic circumstance whereby it was rumored that his parents died through a violent crime. The stamp itself does not display any lingering text but does include USA and 39. The US Postal Service in creating the stamp said in its press release, “Comic books aren’t simply ‘kid’s stuff.’ Adults have always been among their fans, and the form has attracted its share of serious artists and writers. Super Heroes have responded to social and political issues from the start, fighting injustice and corruption during the Depression, and then becoming patriotic defenders of national interests during World War II.”

The rhetorical image in this case show a Batman that is clearly angst and seeks to fight crime, almost like a macho terrorist yet the soft undertone of the bat symbol in his well-developed Olympian form and figure, can only signify that there is a cause that he freely shows that he is willing to fight for. As the eyes are the windows to his soul, he does not allow you to peer in. Batman is not a gentle hero rather one that rages with his bouts of depression, brought about by being the thankless hero. This rhetorical is represented through the time in which Batman debuted in 1939 where masculinity meant being the silent hero of the family, bringing the bacon home without too much of an open vocal appreciation from family members.

There is no speaking in this artifact and thus Neo-Aristotelian cannot be accurately used for this artifact. Therefore I would use other criticisms in the weeks to come.