Jonathan Lethem's The Only Human Superhero

In his paper "The Only Human Superhero," which published in Rolling Stone, Jonathan Lethem states why Batman endures for more than half a century, how the characteristics and the appearance of Batman affect generation after generation and what unique features different versions of Batman bring to us.

Rolling Stone is an American magazine that concentrates on popular culture. Most of the readership are young, loving pop music or TV shows. The publication of Lethem’s article comes out when the last Christopher Nolan movie of Batman movie called The Dark Night Rises was being released. There have been more than 15 Batman movies have been produced and released in the past six decades. Lethem’s choice to publish this article in Rolling Stone is

for the sake of attracting more comic fans and explaining reasons that Batman has been popular for so many years, arguing that Batman is "the only human superhero." In this paper, I will identify different rhetorical devices and how Lethem uses rhetoric to appeals to readers.
A preface gives a general idea of the article or how to develop the idea. In the Lethem's text, his starting strategy was to use a preface with the following sentence: "Tortured, violent, complicated – why we can't let go of the Dark Knight" (40). These neutral and even derogatory adjectives describe the most authentic Batman from Christopher Nolan's films of The Dark Knight. The use of "why" gives us a more self-answered question about why Batman lasts so long, indicating that he aims to declare the answer. Lethem builds a solid foundation for a fascinating argument distinguishing Batman from other DC superheroes, arguing that his long-term fame is due to his being human.
Through preface works to introduce the topic to the reader, the writer must clearly state their central claim, or thesis. Thesis reveals the focus in a statement in the first few paragraphs of an article and becomes the bases of the article’s discussion. Lethem’s thesis is elaborated upon in the second paragraph, which can be summarized as follows: "Perhaps Batman endures because he has a good name and a good mask, a nonclown costume, and no superpowers. The least infected by the absurdity of his category, he gives that hopeless category some small possibilities… He’s our first and most essential human superhero" (40). Notice that his claim points out Batman is a real human. Lethem also uses words like “good” and “possibilities”, drawing Batman closer to readers and setting the stage for a further demonstration of Batman's humanness.
Once the stage is set, the writer uses rhetorical strategies to prove his point. One such device is juxtaposition, which is the placing of two items side by side to create a particular effect or reveal an attitude. In his complexity style, Lethem builds toward juxtaposition using other devices, such as a word choice and listing. For example, in the Lethem's article, he uses "Perhaps" as a beginning of the second paragraph. Perhaps indicates an uncertain possibility which leads readers to the Batman world and triggers their memories or impressions about Batman. Then, Lethem describes a possible Batman's image, writing "he has a good name and a good mask, a nonclown costume, and no superpowers." The list seems to depict an ordinary, but also implies juxtaposition by subtly Batman, who wears a “nonclown costume” with others who readers are led to assume are different, and thus not as ordinary or good.
The usage of contrast becomes more explicit and sophisticated in the second half of the paragraph. For example, as Lethem continues, the words of "least" and "absurdity" stands out, confirming that the list above and the word “least” form a contrast with the word "absurdity." From this aspect, readers are led to consider whether Batman is a human or a superhero? Lethem intends to distinguishing Batman from other superheroes further the use of "hopeless" and "possibilities," which gives readership a deeper difference between Batman and other superheroes. Compared to other superheroes, Batman is more like a real role model, "The least infected" of all superheroes, he offers a more humanity and authenticity. Lethem shifts his tone with the association between Batman and hope, trying to forward his attitude that Batman is a great human rather than a superhero which appeals to readers and evokes the same emotion.
Another device Lethem uses to explore Batman's complex personality is the contradiction, which focuses on a direct opposition between things stated as true. Lethem highlights “Batman's famous refusal to wield a gun,” which implies that he is a superhero opposed to violence and death. Lethem uses contradiction immediately, emphasizing: his various gun surrogates - boomerangs, planes, money - are as lethal as they need to be,” ultimately contending that “Batman is death." The writer points out a contradiction between Batman’s choice not to use a gun but opting to use other lethal weapons. Lethem’s use of "lethal" and "death" portrays a very authentic and cruel Batman contradicting the peace-loving and justice-seeking nature exemplified by his “refusal to wield a gun” (41). Lethem deepens our understanding of batman's ambivalent human nature and further through contradiction, demonstrating that Batman is forever because human beings also struggle with the inherent tension between peace and justice.
Once the contradiction is found, author use a rhetorical question to concentrate on drawing attention and identifying the negative. Lethem writes the following question: " Is the man violent enough to clear the path for civilization himself unfit to participate in civilized society?" Having exposed the inner conflict Batman struggles with, Lethem’s use of rhetorical question invites a deeper inquiry into Batman. His use of "violent" and "civilized" scoops out the complexity of Batman's true nature. The question Lethem asked for Batman is also a classic issue for all humankind, which forms a strong argument emphasizing the close interflow between Batman and human society.
Lethem applies an excellent metaphor to bring Batman closer to our real world in the middle of the article.

The metaphor refers to one thing by mentioning another thing and identifies hidden similarities between two subjects. Lethem states that "Batman resolves this paradox simply by removing his mask," drawing attention to the similarity between the changeable mask and mercurial life. The use of "mask" is a metaphor for the different life experiences or people performing different identities. The word "mask" also gives Batman a vivid image which proves Batman's humanness from the side because he is as busy as everybody who is performing differently in different

situations.
Once the vivid Batman is built in readers’ mind, Lethem uses a hypothetical simile to strength Batman’s real further. A hypothetical simile makes an assumption to explicitly compares two essentially unlike things. In the Lethem's article, he composes that "If Batman is a barometer of collective feelings about authority and state power, then Adam West was a yippie's image of Batman, the equivalent of nominating a piglet for president. In any era, we get the Batman we deserve." This quote is a clear simile which compared the Batman with a barometer. Lethem gives us a deeper and clearer understanding of the link between human society and Batman. Batman is a microcosm of our community.
Lethem’s article also has strong ethos appeals. Steps to appealing to ethos include establishing good judgment, forwarding your knowledge to readers and your understanding the complexity of the issue (Greene and Lidinsky 220). In Lethem's text, he mentions that "His original venue was Detective Comics… Adam West's Batman was axiomatic… The Chris Nolan version takes Frank Miller's brilliantly reactionary nihilist Batman of the Eighties and leaches out all the tragedy…" Lethem fully demonstrates his interpretation of Batman's origins and the development of Batman's movies for the past half century. Lethem also understands the complexity of Batman, being "the only human superhero" so that the article covers many aspects of Batman such as appearance, characteristics, uniqueness, his greatest enemy, and the influence of human society.
Through his pieces, Lethem uses many straight sentences and words that are appealing to pathos, as well as strengthen his argument.

Steps to appealing to pathos cover showing your understanding of readers' values, using the example and explanation to appeal to readers' emotions and considering the influence of shifting tone (Greene and Lidinsky 223). In the first paragraph of Lethem's work, he describes his memory with the following sentences: "The first superhero I loved was Batman. The first drawing I recall attempting was a drawing of Batman. I remember painstakingly working to reproduce the bat emblem on his chest, the capsules lining his belt. I never renounced Batman…" By using the first person, he succeeds in bringing us into his memory and feel his passion for Batman. The word "painstakingly" and "capsules" shows the carefulness of the author. All other comic fans may feel the same way and did the same thing when they make their comic costumes. Not only forwarding the emotion of writers but also arousing readers'

resonations.
Moreover, adding to his ethos appeals, Lethem uses appeals to logos as well. In "From Inquiry to Academic Writing: A Practical Guide," Greene and Lidinsky write: "Steps to appealing to logos consists of declaring the premises of the argument, using credible evidence and demonstrating conclusion follows from premises" (230). In the sixth paragraph of the Lethem's context, he depicts that "Batman is also goth. His unbearable whiteness, his revenger's isolation, his animal-cultist's affiliations, his occupation of Gotham City." This quote logically demonstrates that Batman is entirely consistent with Gothic attributes. Then he reasonably points out Batman is an American Dracula since Dracula is a famous European vampire who has a lot similarity with Batman.
Lethem begins the article by effectively emphasizing his readers that Batman differs from other DC superheroes and his long-term fame is due to his being human through his compelling preface and thesis. He succeeds in highlighting a real Batman, appealing readers' emotions and persuading his readers to accept his thesis or take it as a valid and credible argument by applying plenty of rhetorical strategies. Lethem also brings us back to his main point in his last paragraph and leaves us a space to recall Batman. The reader should understand that rhetoric devices are for enhancing the support of author's claim. Through working along with conducting rhetorical analysis, I learned more useful and reliable skills to compose a substantial academic paper.