What factors have influenced various depictions of Batman over the years, and what does this character’s evolution suggest about life in modern America?
For this essay, you might consider the following to help you develop a thesis that answers the prompt (this is not a checklist, just some suggestions):
– Historical, political, and/or economic forces that have shaped depictions of Batman
– Batman’s reliance on (and relationship to) technology
– Various iterations of the Batman narrative as reflections of America’s values and myths
– Reconciling Batman’s mission & methods with society’s rules & expectations
– Artists’ efforts to portray Batman in ways that appeal to both children and adults
– Batman’s notion of justice and concepts like good & bad, virtue & vice, and right & wrong
– The role of violence in Batman narratives, and/or reflections of race, class, and gender therein
– How the aesthetic, dialog, and tone of Batman tales have changed over time
