Secret Identities

              One of the topics discussed this week was the idea of a superhero's secret identity.  We discussed why it is necessary for a superhero to have a secret identity and what might happen if their identity was revealed.  The superhero we concentrated on most in class was Superman and how his secret identity and "true" identity are reversed from the majority of his fellow superheroes.
               In order to keep his loved ones safe a superhero must keep his "true" identity hidden from his enemies.  In Superman's case his "true" identity is Superman and his secret identity is Clark Kent.  Although having these two elements switched it doesn't change the fact that no one can know that Clark is Superman and vice versa.  In my opinion, it is necessary for superheroes to lead dual lives to protect the ones they love, but if they find someone with whom they can trust to not reveal their identities they should be able to confide in them their secret. All be it, this would take away from a lot of the drama that results from a superhero not telling his secret, but it would slightly ease the burden he or she is carrying.
              One of the main problems a superhero is presented with is becoming the secret identity they created entirely.  What I mean by this is that once a person decides to create a secret identity he or she start to struggle with their "true" identity.  At the end of the film "Batman Begins", Rachael, Bruce's love interest, tells Bruce that she believes Bruce Wayne is his mask and that Batman was his true identity.  This idea goes the same with Superman to an extent.  It's not so much that Superman is slowly becoming Clark Kent rather it is the fact that Superman is in love with Lois Lane and he wishes that he could stop being Superman and so he could start a normal relationship with her.  Batman devoting his life to crime fight and Superman not giving into his desires are prime examples of the sacrifices superheroes live with everyday for the greater good.
               The last thought I'd like to leave you with is the idea that superheroes purposely use their alternate identity in a certain to not cause suspicion.  By this I mean a superheroes "true" identity is usually almost exactly opposite of his or hers secret identity.  Take Clark Kent for instance, he has "bad" vision, hence the glasses, and he is presented usually as clumsy, but Superman has perfect vision including heat vision, and he is obviously not clumsy.  Also, Bruce Wayne is an arrogant, billionaire playboy who flaunts his money around, but take one look at Batman and he is serious to boot and never under estimates his opponents.