Allegory%20

1
Allegory X-Men

• What do the two have in common?

2
Allegory a story behind the story

• An allegory is a narrative that is really a
  double story.
• One story takes place on the surface.
• Under the surface, the storys characters and
  events represent abstract ideas, things like love
  or freedom, evil or goodness, hell or heaven.

3
An Allegory must operate on two levels

• On the level of storytelling, an allegory must
  hold our attention. Its characters must seem
  believable and interesting enough for us to care
  about them.
• On the allegorical level the ideas in the story
  must be accessible to us. As you read, you should
  find that the allegorical level of the story
  gradually begins to strike you.

4
X-Men Comics

• Created in the 1960s by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby,
  X-Men are outcast from society because they are
  different.
• The comics were aimed at groups who feel that
  they dont belong or fit into society
• Based on the idea that everyone wants to be
  normal
• For example, people with disabilities
• The point different is okay!

5
Mutants vs. Disabilities realization
acceptance

• When mutants first realize they have a mutation,
  acceptance for both the mutant and the family is
  difficult

• Archangels father takes him to special
  scientists to try to fix him, and Rogue runs
  away from home because she doesnt understand why
  she hurts everyone she touches.

6
Mutants vs. Disabilities realization
acceptance

• Similarly, it can be difficult for individuals
  and families to accept that a loved one has a
  disability.
• Families search for the best doctors in the
  country for surgeries to fix the disabled.
• Heather Whitestone, who is deaf, was crowned Miss
  American 1995.

7
Mutations vs. Disabilities

• Mutants and those with disabilities are sometimes
  alienated from society because they do not fit
  in.

• A parent of a mutant child asks Dr. Xavier to
  cure or fix the child, but he responds,
  mutation is not a disease.
• Mutations Disabilities are not things that need
  to be fixed because there is nothing wrong with
  being a mutant or disabled

8
Mutations vs. Disabilities

• Unlike some superheroes, Superman Spiderman,
  who can assume alter-egos and hide their
  abilities, X-Men and those with disabilities do
  not have that luxury

• Both struggle to understand themselves and how
  they fit into society, unlike the Super-guys who
  can easily assimilate into normal society

9
Stereotypes Prejudice

• Families and communities have a hard time dealing
  with perceived mutations and disabilities
• Thus, mutants attend a school that teaches them
  to survivepeacefully in a world that fears
  them.
• The same could be said of people with
  disabilities, that they live in a world that does
  not understand them.
• This is due to lack of information and
  understanding

10
Nightcrawler Prejudice

• This character is persecuted as a demon based
  solely on how he looks.

yellow eyes
blue skin
tail
three-fingered hands

• He actually has a deep religious faith that
  allows him to find rest and peace.

11
Stereotypes Prejudice

• Professor Xavier urges mutants humanity to live
  together peacefully, with understanding, no
  matter how different they may be.
• The same is true for society and those with
  disabilities

12
Allegory in The Masque of the Red Death

• As you read The Masque of the Red Death, look
  for allegory working on two levels.
• To realize the allegory, ask yourself,
• What is the main story about?
• What abstract ideas are being represented?
• What is the deeper story the author is trying to
  convey?