Abstract

Technology plays a significant role in society and in entertainment. People hold an ambivalent attitude about technology that is often illustrated in science fiction films. Much like myth telling stories to teach a lesson, science fiction films caution viewers of the effects of powerful technology usage in culture today. This thesis examines X-Men to show how relevant principles found in myth continue to be relevant to media consumption. Using media ecology to inform the reader about the technological environment (Mumford, 1944), this analysis of technology portrayed in X-Men shows the implications real world technology, such as radiation, weapons, and artificial intelligence, has on contemporary society. Using mythical criticism to analyze the myth of Prometheus in modern day, this thesis shows that with proper accountability, technology may eventually be a tool unbound from the fear it generates. X-Men evaluates the natural human fear that comes from technology including, fear of fusion, fear of defeat, and fear of technological agency overcoming the human agent (Rushing and Frentz, 1989, but instead of leaving us hopeless, X-Men shows that technology can help society progress despite its potential for destruction.

Degree

College and Department

Fine Arts and Communications; Communications

Rights

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