05-21-2010, 11:57 AM
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#63 (permalink)
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The Reforms
Location: Rarely, if ever, here or there, but always in transition
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The Importance of Superman’s Cape
Illustration by Alex Ross
Quote:
My 2 1/2 year-old kid is obsessed with Superman. He’s walking around humming the theme song, going “Ta-ta-ta!” every time he removes his pajamas and changes to day clothes, and is running around yelling “I am Superman!” all day long. My wife, supporting his obsession, had sewn him a red cape (which I am SO envious of) and every day, after the ceremonious brushing of the teeth (“Just like Superman does..”) my son puts on the cape and “flies” to daycare.
One might think that it would be embarrassing, hanging around with a boy dressed as the man of steel, day in and day out, but surprisingly, it is not. People are smiling when he’s breezing by them, some are even lifting their hands in the air, imitating flight.
Two days ago, bringing Superboy to daycare, we were approached by one of his playmates, another 2 1/2 year old. That boy – let’s call him Clark for the sake of this story – is part of a family that’s having a very hard time dealing with a chronic sickness afflicting one of its kids. That takes a toll on the parents and certainly affects the amount of time they can spend with Clark (they are doing an amazing job, and we wish them all the best).
And so, that morning Clark approached Superboy and myself, and asked about the cape and superman. He was curious as to that piece of red cloth that my son wears to daycare, and clearly was very much enchanted by it. After consulting with his parents my wife had asked their permission to sow two more capes, one for Clark and the other for his brother. This morning, the capes have landed in the kids’ laps. 3 seconds later there were two Supermen running/flying around the yard, going “Ta ta ta!”, with glittering eyes and VERY wide smiles.
It made me wonder. What is it in that red cape that makes one’s heart leap? What is it in the redness of the color that blows such wind into one’s sails and lifts the spirit? Batman’s cape doesn’t have the same effect, nor does Thor’s. I don’t know the answer to that question. I do know that Superman’s cape is of no practical use in the Superman stories. I do know that capes are a hindrance to superheros – getting caught in propellers while flying, they are hard to conceal, etc. But after seeing the glitter in Clark’s eyes, and knowing that my son is willing to settle on the cape alone, not insisting on boots, over-the-tights underwear etc., I know that the cape is important. Hopefully, it will make Clark’s and his family’s life easier and bring them a little hope and joy as it does my son.
And just so you feel a little of that joy, hope, and elevation of the spirit, here’s the closest the movies bring us to having that feeling without actually wearing a cape.
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by kamilegs7
[ anyclip.]
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As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves. —Mohandas K. Gandhi
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