Abstract

The importance of superheroes in films and literary works for children and young adults has increasingly gained academic interest due to their great influence on the target readers/audiences. Drawing upon both child psychology and the psychology of superheroes, the proposed article will attempt to discuss the symbolism of superheroes, particularly Superman, in the American short story “The Boy Who Could Fly” (2009) by Perry McMullin and the Kurdish film “Bekas” (2012) directed by Karzan Kader. In both works, Superman emerges as a significant symbol of endless power and freedom. The sole wish of the children protagonists in the selected works is to have powers which break the boundaries of time and space just like Superman who by embodying freedom, resurrecting unjustly killed parents, and regaining children’s lost rights, has the ability to make their dreams come true. Since such a wish involves social and political issues, the article will also highlight the problems that the children protagonists face/suffer from, such as the negative aspects of power, namely, poverty, violence, and oppression.