Moses or Jesus

[serafina20]

Is Clark more like Moses or Jesus? I was watching Prince of Egypt today, and before my brain completely shut off, I was thinking that, at least the early story, stuck me more like Clark's story than Jesus's. Because of the whole Pharao/Moses friendship where they grew into enemies (I have no idea where my Bible is right now, and I can't remember if that canonical or Hollywood). But, then, I guess the whole leading humanity by example into a better world is more like Jesus.

A mixture of both, I guess.

The stupid teacher basically reprimanded me in front of my parents today. And she was wrong. I'd hung a picture of Sarah, Plain and Tall in my library because I have abou 3 copies and I figured promotion is always good. She was talking about something (my family was in my room) and suddenly tells me I had to take it down because it was a fifth grade book. I spend about three mintues trying to explain I had no intention of teaching it, but I owned the book, and wanted the picture for decoration. And she kept telling me that I coudln't let them read it, and it was a 5th grade book, and I had to give it to the fifth grade teacher, etc. etc. I knew I wasn't goign to take it down and then she *finally* got it.

Didn't apoologize, though. Whatever.

And I just want everyone to know that krytonsite is the most wonderful person in the world.

Comments

[pepperjackcandy.livejournal.com]

Definetly Moses. Washed up on shore in a basket, dying wasn't a necessary part of his mission, though he didn't live to see "the promised land," etc.

The Moses/Pharaoh friendship is an invention of the people who wrote the movie. There's not much info about Moses's childhood in the Bible.

she kept telling me that I coudln't let them read it, and it was a 5th grade book

They want you to stop kids from reading books "too advanced for them"? What grade are you teaching? And how are you supposed to stop a kid who gets it into his/her head to read the book? Throw yourself on top of the book like it's a landmine?

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

What grade are you teaching?

I'm teaching sixth. And she just kept repeating that it was a fifth grade book, and I kept saying that I wasn't going to teach it, but it was there if they wanted to read it and ... AHHHH.

I'm quitting, getting a job at Starbucks, and writing for the rest of my life.

[kryptonsite.livejournal.com]

Awww :)

I think Clark is more of a Jesus figure. Being hung like a scarecrow in the pilot notwithstanding, look at the Superman movie, where Jor-El basically says "this is my only son. Live among the people and protect them" etc. (and I know that's not a direct quote), but it sounded very Christ-like to me.

If Jim Caviezel plays Superman, he'll have played both Superman and Jesus too. Another thing in common! (I don't deem that spoiler either, because all movie rumors are blah)

But also think of it this way: Martha Kent, like Mary, was unable to conceive, but by chance she got her wish for a baby. Wasn't Joseph something like a farmer or a shepherd too? I'm so out of it with Bible stuff.

Almiles even have said there are only so many stories and legends. Superman is another, I guess. That's my opinion, at least, about the Jesus thing. Don't know if it's right or not!

[shattered.livejournal.com]

But also think of it this way: Martha Kent, like Mary, was unable to conceive, but by chance she got her wish for a baby. Wasn't Joseph something like a farmer or a shepherd too? I'm so out of it with Bible stuff."

IIRC, Joseph was a carpenter of some sort. Which, if you wanted to draw the whole Kent/Jesus parallel, both Joseph/Jesus and Jonathan/Clark seem quite crafty with their hands and surrounded by a lot of wood. Thick, *dense* wood... But don't quote me on that one.

I tend to think of the Clark on SV as decidedly more of a Moses figure than a Christ figure. Conversely, I'd definitely say the Superman of the comics is much more of a Jesus figure than a Moses one. But YMMV.

"If Jim Caviezel plays Superman, he'll have played both Superman and Jesus too. Another thing in common! (I don't deem that spoiler either, because all movie rumors are blah)"

So Craig, what do you think about this particular rumor? I have this odd affection for Jim Caviezel and actually wouldn't mind seeing him in the role, despite the difficulty I have in picturing him as Supes. It's this strange paradox I have when it comes to the Jesus as the man of steel.

[kryptonsite.livejournal.com]

Caviezel is actually the name I've heard that I've liked the most so far. He's older than Tom, which is a plus, but he's also got more of the look of an adult Superman than some of the other candidates.

Best case scenario I'd prefer Tom, but if it means ending Smallville early, forget it.

If the Superman movie were up to me, though, I'd have an older (35-40) Superman and Lex Luthor, with Tom and Michael in flashbacks, much like the scenes with Jeff East in "Superman: The Movie." I DON'T want to see yet another new origin story for Superman. But yes, Caviezel is the name so far that I've liked the most. I'll be REALLY offended if they go and cast someone younger than Tom for the movie.

[lastscorpion.livejournal.com]

I just looked it up, and the Accelerated Reader system from my son's school says that Sarah, Plain and Tall is reading level grade 3.4. That's from a computer analysis of word length and sentence structure, so it throws up some insane ones once in a while(Of Mice and Men is famous misrated, but no kids ever read it so who cares), but I think that it's probably equally nuts to insist that it's "a fifth grade book"!

I was in high school when the Christopher Reeves Superman movies came out, and our church-at-the-time's Youth Minister was absolutely all about the Christ/Superman parallels. It was extremely tiresome.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

but I think that it's probably equally nuts to insist that it's "a fifth grade book"!

IT's part of their core literature, which means they do a unit on it. S he thought I was going to teach it or soemthing, and I couldn't get her to see that I just want kids to know it's tehre. *sigh* She's stupid.

It was extremely tiresome.

I can imagine. :)

[kyanoswolf]

If you consider that it is thought that the writers of the New Testament deliberately drew parallels between Moses and Jesus in presenting Jesus' story to the early churches in the gospels (accounting for the differences in the 4 versions), the whole issue becomes even more muddy.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

If you consider that it is thought that the writers of the New Testament deliberately drew parallels between Moses and Jesus in presenting Jesus' story to the early churches in the gospels (accounting for the differences in the 4 versions), the whole issue becomes even more muddy.

I completely forgot about that.

*sigh* Mud all lover the place. :)

[kryptonsite.livejournal.com]

Also? That teacher is stupid. I think the fact that you're encouraging kids to read in itself is awesome. What would she rather have on your walls, Yu-Gi-Oh? :p

Seriously. Maybe those kids see the poster and when they get to 5th grade, they'll be excited to read it.

I remember when I was a kid our school library had a list and pictures of the covers of all the Caldecott Award Winner books... I'm sure not all of those were in my range, but they looked so cool!

No wonder kids don't get excited over reading. I think you were thinking the right thing by having the poster up. *Growl*

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

What would she rather have on your walls, Yu-Gi-Oh?

I should put the Yu-Gi-Oh poster I got from Comic Con up, just to spite her.

The problem was, she can't understand that, even though this book is *taught* to fifth grade students, it doesn't disappear from their lives afterwards. I have about three copies, and all the students in my class will have read it last year. My viewpoint is, if I let them know I have it (through the poster) they might want to reread it becuase a. they've read it before, b. they've (hopefully) enjoyed it and c. it takes the pressure off them, knowing they're allowed to reread books.

I think you were thinking the right thing by having the poster up.

Thank you!

[beet]

I'm sorry you had a frustrating day. :(

Wanted to tell you that the combination of topics in your post made me giggle, though. *g*

For the record, I'd side with Clark is like Jesus. Clark & Jesus' fathers also did the testing thing. Although in the case of Jesus, I guess it was the devil who tested him out in the desert, but God allowed it, so I'm going to count it.

Interesting ideas. *g*

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you had a frustrating day. :(

Thanks. And thanks for your input on the Jesus/Moses thing.

[nebt-het.livejournal.com]

I had a similar thing happen to me for showing a film in my history class that they were going to show in English classes. Oh well, get used to bureaucracy. But unless the principal says, I wouldn't take it down either. *g*

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

But unless the principal says, I wouldn't take it down either. *g*

Well, she finally saw what I was trying to say (it takes people some time to understaind plain english whenit's their first language, I guess). It was more the fact that she did it *in front of my parents* that pissed me off the most.

[shattered.livejournal.com]

I'd would say the SV interpretation of Clark is decidedly Moses-like. The killing, the running away from his destiny, the false identity. Teh angst. Fits the SV version to a T.

On the other hand, based on what little I know of the Superman mythos, I got the impression that Clark/Superman in the comics (granted, aren't there quite a few different interpretations?) is definitely more of a black & white, lead-by-example noble figure, who through and through resists any desire to conform to societal norms, etc. I'd say Clark has been just the opposite of that on SV, far more conflicted and torn.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

The killing, the running away from his destiny, the false identity.

I completely forgot about that.

I'd say Clark has been just the opposite of that on SV, far more conflicted and torn.

Which makes for a *much* better story, in my opinion.

[shattered.livejournal.com]

For the most part, I agree. Except, I want to see more of him transitioning out of that conflict and doubt and assert himself more as an individual who doesn't feel so torn to fit in with the norm.

One with compassion. It's hard to root for a sanctimonious superhero who jumps to conclusions at the drop of a Lana.

I mean, even Moses left the desert for Egypt again, no?

[taraljc.livejournal.com]

Well, Seigel and Shuster were pretty much thinking "Moses" when they created the character back in 1938... But I think a case could made made, allegorically, either way, what with the hundred or so interpretations of the character since. And Clark did resurrect from the dead in 1993-ish...

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

Well, Seigel and Shuster were pretty much thinking "Moses" when they created the character back in 1938...

I didn't know that! Thanks for the input. :P

Oy vey - appropriate to both subjects *g*

[astrea9562.livejournal.com]

Clark/Supes? Both stories. *g* But Moses, yes, was the model for the creators of the comic.

That teacher? Is an absolute ass and has no understanding of tact on top of everything else! Man, I wih you luck in that place and good, good teaching vibes. Her b.s. is so not worth it.

What the child can be attracted to and will continue to seek on their own is what counts and I know you know that and I'm preaching to the choir.

But how can she be so hidebound as to not see that either?

{{huggles}}