BF112297

In the winding, intricate, labyrinthine road that is called life, few stretches are as confusing, contradictory, and emotionally inconsistent as adolescence. Those who have made it past this stretch of road often retrospectively analyze that era of their lives – the problems they considered stress-worthy, the ambitions they had, the struggles, the goals, the insecurities – and let out a thoughtful, hearty sigh. A sigh of relief, really. //Glad that’s over.// During adolescence, a period of heightened stress (Casey n.d.) we formed our identity, and regardless of whether we fit in perfectly with the crowd, if we had to search for a sub-group where we felt comfortable, or if we felt like total outsiders the whole time, we struggled to balance the many roles we had to fill in order to be considered part of a whole. In my case, I am and was during High School a Jehovah’s Witness, a lifestyle that made me very different from most of my peers. But despite my high moral standards, my dislike of cursing, my refusal to attend my classmates parties, I still remained a kid, and wanted to have fun. I had to learn ways to satisfy my teenaged needs in a way that wouldn’t violate my principles – my identity. I think this theme of //identity in social contexts// is the principal theme at the heart of the X-Men franchise. The concept – human beings, both young and old alienated and marginalized from the rest of society because of genetic mutations that allowed them the advantage of having superpowers – is a microcosm that embodies the adolescent experience. We all felt alienated at one point or another during our teenage years, and that feeling of loneliness drove us to do great or terrible things. We either had to peacefully accept the consequences of the roles we carry out, or to break the mold and force others to accept us. These individuals in the X-Men mythos (known as “mutants”) faced hostility on a level that teenagers rarely face, but nonetheless provided a parallel to the strife teenagers go through in order to feel accepted. **__Psychological/ Developmental Issues Raised__** In the X-Men franchise, the concept of Self-Understanding is one that is commonly brought up. Xavier’s School for the Gifted is a school where Professor X and his X-Men teach, providing mutant adolescents with an education, while providing an environment in which a structural framework is provided where the children do not feel judged. Here, in addition to providing secular preparation, the students are shown how to control their varying genetic mutations. But also, and probably most importantly, these young men and women are taught how to understand themselves for what they are, Mutants, and are given the strength to deal with their condition in the face of social marginalization. The main difference here is that, whereas most self-understanding that goes on in adolescence is abstract (Denise Boyd 2009), what these mutants deal with is due to their physical conditions. For example, instead of an adolescent having to deal with “//I have Liberal ideals and am an Atheist in the midst of a culture that promotes Conservative political views”,// the mutants have to deal with //“I am an extremely dangerous individual that can control the weather with my emotions in the midst of individuals, who, despite their efforts, cannot, and am ostracized for this”//. But the concept remains the same: they must come to terms with who they are physically (mutants, not regular humans), and that affects other facets of life. Another aspect of Self-Understanding present in the X-Men films is how the self-concept becomes more differentiated as each Mutant sees himself differently in every role they fulfill, and it all relates back to what they truly are as genetically altered individuals. For example, one character, Kurt Wagner is known as Nightcrawler for his teleporting abilities and for his ghoulish appearance. In front human beings, he is nothing more than a monster due to his physical appearance. This troubles Nightcrawler, a devout catholic whose only desire is to live in peace with his fellow man. The ostracism contributes to his low self-esteem. In his role as Kurt Wagner, a member of society, he is deeply unhappy. However, as Nightcrawler, a member of the X-Men and a crusader for justice and peace, he feels empowered. That is when his appearance is overlooked and the marginalization he goes through is of little importance to him. He transforms from being a shy, sensitive being to an adventurous swashbuckler reminiscent of Errol Flynn in both charm and gallantry. Similarly, an adolescent might feel uncomfortable in one of his roles, and all the while being very acclimated to another role. This writer never felt like he belonged in High School; however, at church and with friends who were older, I was in my element. **__The Directors View__** It is very fitting that Bryan Singer directed the X Men movies (at least the good ones), because if anyone would know what it is like to be marginalized, it is this man. He was adopted and grew up in New Jersey (where only the strong survive). He was also Jewish, and dyslexic. In addition, Singer has been openly gay since his adolescence. He is the ultimate minority: ethnically, educationally, and socially. And he’s from Jersey. The man knows strife. In an interview with BBC writer Stephen Applebaum, Singer states: “I'm actually part of a number of minorities. I grew up being a horribly awkward kid. A terrible student. And now I find myself as a filmmaker, and you feel kind of alone in the world because you're separate from everyone else. So, yeah, it's definitely everything from the [coming out] scene with Bobby Drake (Iceman) and his family, to Wolverine's journey to uncover his past. I'm adopted, so even my own origins I'm not completely precise on. The journey of Wolverine has always been a very personal one, because it's not just about where did I come from, who am I really, but how important is that to who I am now and to who I'm going to be? That journey, particularly through this picture, has been a kind of odd, personal one for me.” It is evident by the man’s words that he understands the problems that these mutants go through; while he is no way a qualified psychologist, anyone seeing these movies can agree that Singer aptly translated the troubles teenagers face onto the silver screen. **__The Evidence__** Most psychologists would agree that this film is in fact very accurate in its depictions of how teenagers go through issues and crises. One sterling example is seen in //__X2__//, where Bobby Drake (a.k.a. Iceman) “comeths out” to his parents. The similarities are striking. Bobby confronts his parents and his younger brother, who are unaware of his capability to freeze stuff. The scene plays out like how almost every ‘teen “coming out” as gay to his/her parents plays out: at first, denial from the family. Following that, Bobby’s mother asks him if he’s “tried //not// being” what he is, which gets me every time, as if it were his choice. Then, the parent’s feel guilty. //It’s all my fault//, says the mother, echoing the words of many mothers throughout the years who’ve felt that the way they treated their sons contributed to their homosexuality (which may or may not be true). Finally, Bobby experiences rejection, in the form of his brother storming out of the room and, later, calling the cops. Mutants face similar problems that homosexuals face: whereas an ethnic or religious minority can return to the relative safety of his home, where others share his distinct characteristics, gays (as well as mutants) often cannot find haven in their homes, because they might not have anyone else at home who’s gay (or a mutant). They must seek solace elsewhere; much like how all these mutant children were moved to attend Xavier’s School for the Gifted, a place where they could feel comfortable with their mutation. **__Praise__** Bryan Singer has generally received positive reviews for his portrayal of the oppression/ marginalization that minorities go through. Jeffrey Overstreet, writer, has stated: “I could go into the specifics of the struggle, but why bother? It’s a comic book adventure, full of implausibility and over-the-top hand-to-hand combat scenes. What makes this film such a success is its seriousness on the subject of proper and improper responses to oppression, “It is easy to see the parallels between the mutants’ plight and that of any sort of minority, be it a case of sexual, religious, or racial prejudice. The attitude of the religious right toward homosexuality is clearly echoed, but then again, so one might also hear the attitude of Hollywood toward anyone with Christian ethics. I resonate with X-men for my own reasons: I feel alienated from the world because it hates Christians, while I also feel alienated from the church because most of it has become a huge, evangelical, self-righteous, political machine, just as Christ warned it would become: “Many will come in My name, and deceive many.” The film might have become heavy-handed and preachy, drawing attention to its relevance, but things move along quickly, focusing on character development and action instead of political posturing. Thank goodness.” (Overstreet n.d.) Overstreet is not a psychoanalyst, but he points out the seriousness of Singer’s interpretation of how individuals respond to crises. On one side we have Professor X, who reacts to the seething hatred brought on by the masses by becoming a Gandhi-like pacifist, one that believes that there is good in people and that facet of their being will compel them to accept their mutant cohabitants. On the other end of the spectrum is Magneto, who has responded to the hate and violence he experienced as a child in Nazi Germany (during which he was persecuted for being a Jew, not a mutant) by adopting a militant philosophy towards the mutant integration into society. In many similar ways, adolescents do the same: they accept the reactions to their lifestyle choices, or they rebel.
 * //__Film Response: X-Men__//**

__ Subject Matter—16 points out of 20 __ You need to refer back to the textbook more.

__ Higher-Order Thinking—20 points out of 20 __ : This is the kind of deep thinking I want to see!

__Organization--30 points out of 30__ You take an atypical structure for your response, but you pull it off very well! Great Job!

__ Format--0 points out of 10 __ No Bibliography/References/Works Cited

__ Grammar/Punctuation/Spelling--10 points out of 10 __

__ Readability/Style--9 points out of 10 __ You have one awkward transition in the quote from Overstreet at the end.

Grade: 85/100