Analysis of the relationship between modernity and postmodernity in superhero movies using levi-strauss' method of binary oppositions

Superheroes, who are both a product and a specimen of modernity have been transferred to today's postmodern world through popular cinema. As an art form and a form of narrative, cinema has always been in relation with the social, cultural and ideological processes. Popular movies in particular offer the researcher a distinct and creative way of looking at, understanding and analyzing a given era. This study aims to reveal the values and the transformation of values the superheroes in popular cinema and their relationship with their surroundings represent in relation with modernity and postmodernity. Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and Man of Steel (2013) have been analyzed using Levi-Strauss' method of binary oppositions. As a result of the analysis it has been found that within these movies, modernity appeared in relation with the notions of choice, free will, order, balance, control, superior human, justice, faith, truth, construction, the old and hope; whereas postmodernity appeared in relation with the notions of fate, chaos and loss of control, corrupt justice, loss of faith, deceit or fear, deconstruction, the new, hopelessness and destruction. In particular, the relationship between modern construction and postmodern deconstruction has been heavily observed. Keywords: Hollywood Cinema, Modernity, Postmodernity, Superheroes, Binary Oppositions