Reflection #2

Superheroes have a moral code that they honor when taking care of the issues that surround them and their communities.  For example, Batman will never kill anyone because that is part of his moral code.  I think Peter Parker may have had a lapse in morals when, in The Amazing Spider-Man  he taunted the school bully Flash by embarrassing him in front of the school after gaining his powers.  Over the years I have tried to develop a moral code for myself.  In high school, I hung around a group of people that may have not been the best crowd in the school.  They did drugs, stole, and took advantage of me.  In the beginning, I was too immature and so caught up in the moment of having a group of friends that i was participating in these terrible actions.  As high school went on, I began distancing myself from these "friends" and taking my own route. A route that didn't involve doing bad things, lying to my parents, etc, and I started to feel better.  I began feeling freer, healthy, and just all around a better person.  I started hanging out with different people who were always nice to me and that I knew were not taking advantage of me. It was a good feeling.  I try to honor my parents even though at times it is very hard.  I try not to judge or talk bad about people, go to all my classes, and get my homework done.  Layman's article discussed power and its ties with satisfaction.  I try to satisfy myself by honoring my moral codes, and for the most part, it works.  I know Superman and Spider-Man struggle with their moral codes from the fact that they have to hide who they are to people and their loved ones, leaving them dissatisfied at times but in real life as long as I value the important things and be strong and true to myself and to other people, I will always be satisfied.  :)

Keeping a secret identity is a very valuable thing to posses.  A secret identity protects the superhero while they’re in their human form and it also protects their family.  Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne can walk among the public safely because their enemies do not know that they are superheroes.  In Spider-Man 2, Doctor Octopus found out that Peter was Spider-Man and he came after them while Peter and Mary Jane were in a cafe and Dr. Oct was able to capture Mary Jane.  Secret identities also prevent the media and public harassing them while they are trying to live semi-normal lives.  I would say that I do have multiple identities in my own life only when it is appropriate to have a multiple identity.  When I am around my friends, I act 100% myself but when I am in the classroom and talking to my professors I speak more formally and not a single curse word.  Depending which side of the family I am around my identity changes too.  My mom’s side is more conservative so I have to watch my language and actions when I am around them.  When I am around my dad’s side of the family I can relax more and be more of myself because they aren't so uptight.