Gabriella BatresDoctor Gournelos

COM 313

Heroes, Villains, and Antiheroes

Background General Topic: Heroes, villains, and anti-

heroes.Case Study: What film and television fans

define as heroes, villains, and antiheroes in pop culture films.

Literature Review Heroes, Villains, and Fools The Changing American Character:

“Heroes, villains, and fools represent three directions of deviation: (1) better than, (2) dangerous to, and (3) falling short of, norms applied to group members or status occupants. These basic kinds of models are used by all societies to maintain the social system, especially to control persons and put on significant dramas and rituals” (Klapp 1962).

Exploring How We Enjoy Antihero Narratives: “Narratives featuring antiheroes are more abundant than ever on the entertainment media landscape. Some of the most popular television shows and films of recent years feature these morally complex (or ambiguous) protagonists: 24, Dexter, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, V for Vendetta, Kill Bill, Sin City, and Watchmen, just to name a few” (Shafer and Raney 2012).

MethodsSurvey

Customized.Anonymous

respondents.Link shared to social

media sites (Facebook and Instagram).

Received feedback in a short amount of time (20 hours.)

Focus GroupsTwo groupsYounger Group:

Found at Books-A-Million lounge area.

Ages: 20-24.One hour long.

Older group:Found at the AMC Fork

and Screen lounge.Ages: 40-55.6 participants.45 minutes long.All men.

Why did I choose these methods? To get different point of views from different people and find their understandings of what makes a hero, villain, or antihero.

ResultsMost responses in both the focus groups

and the online survey were fairly similar.Both the focus groups and online survey

respondents had different views on what makes a character good, evil, or an antihero.

Using both the online survey and focus groups helped get the thoughts and opinions from multiple people rather than talking to one person.

DiscussionHeroes, villains, and antiheroes come in a

variety of shapes, sizes, forms, etc. Some characters are highly adored (Loki from the Thor and Avengers films) while some receive a lot of hatred (Joffrey from Game of Thrones). Some characters may be seen as misunderstood (Phantom from Phantom of the Opera), while others could be seen as a harlmess victim or a victim seeking revenge (Laura Barns from Unfriended).

ReferencesKlapp, Orrin Edgar. Heroes, Villains, and

Fools; The Changing American Character. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1962

Shafer, Daniel M., and Arthur A. Raney. "Exploring How We Enjoy Antihero Narratives." Journal of Communication, 2012, 1028-046.