Russian and American superheroes/ Their role in the history.

Государственное бюджетное общеобразовательное учреждение

Зарайский педагогический колледж имени В.В, Виноградова

Московская область

Essay

“American and Russian superheroes”

Students:

Arkhipova A.

Baklanova V.

Es’man A

Starostina T

Krivorotova J.

Teacher:

Minaeva R.V.

2013

Russia and America friendship or confrontation?

         Our countries have much in common. Both of them had its ups and downs, they have shaken the war, mercilessly beat the crisis. Who else like the superheroes of the country can tell it? In this essay, we will attempt to prove that these countries have a lot in common, basing on the similarities to choose characters. We will analyze their biographies, characters and actions.

At first we will start with explanation the word "superhero." Each dictionary gives a different definition. For example: Superman 1. A man who is convinced of his superiority over others. 2. Hero of detective, comics, blockbusters etc., endowed with extraordinary qualities that make him invincible, irresistible. (Dictionary of foreign words, 2004) or superhero - a fictional character, endowed with extraordinary physical abilities ("super powers"), which he directs  to the accomplishment to achievements  for the benefit of mankind (Wikipedia).

Superman - a US cartoon character having great strength, the ability to fly and other extraordinary powers; superman - a man with exceptional physical or mental ability. (Oxforddictionariers.com)

But, in our opinion, a superhero is a man who doesn’t have to have any superpowers and other qualities with the prefix “super”. He doesn’t have to be a man at all. This is a creature which can make sacrifices for others, the ability to deeds, which can do such kind of things that not everybody would have bravery to do, which has a broad mind and a warm heart, which is devoted to his work and the principles of the country.

At first we will compare two men who lived in the difficult period of the Second World War in two countries. These heroes existed only in the books and magazines. So, they are Vasiliy Tyorkin and Captain America. Why did we choose these characters? Because these two characters supported their countries in a difficult time of the Second World War inflamed the hearts of their readers with the faith in victory, patriotism, were a model for their country and their citizens. Though one of them was drawn by Marvel Comics, and the second was the main character of poems by a military reporter Alexander Tvardovskiy. In our opinion, Tyorkin and Captain America were very significant persons and they had a lot of general features. Captain America and Vasiliy Tyorkin had faith in their country and they went to the war, because it was their duty. They were both resourceful, courageous. They were savvy and had a sharp mind. They performed heroic deeds without window dressing and pomposity. Only Captain had a shield made of vibranium and steel, but Tyorkin had an accordion, which supported and gave happiness to him and his wartime comrades. He had a sharp tongue and a lot of jokes for all occasions. They both didn’t look for fame. Vasiliy was an ordinary soldier of the Soviet Army. Rodgers served as a captain, didn’t acquire fame. He had a pistol and a shield; he wore a mask and fought with Nazi with the same fervor as Tyorkin, so they had not many differences. They both fought with death. Captain had almost died in the ice of the Atlantic Ocean and Tyorkin looked to the death’s eyes after he had been injured in the battle. And they both became winners of their battles. Tyorkin helped poor old men and women. He was disinterested; nevertheless Capitan saved ordinary people too. Of course, we can call them «superheroes» though in soul they were simple fellows, who would never leave their country in trouble, they would defend and save it. They loved their people, their language. And they will always live, while the memory of the war is living, because they fought for freedom. Their battles were not only in battlefields, but also in their souls and they fought with disbelief, fear, despair. Their stories, examples of courage became a part of great victory. 

Now let’s remember about Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin and Nil Olden Armstrong. If we look to the deepest corner of our soul, we will find there a big fear before the unknown and overmastering desire to know the unexplored. Would you have any brave to get a space flight in imperfect equipment? Even if we had a perfect body that could withstand extremes loads, we would never have agreed. Modern people know enough about space and the Moon, but we still beware of space alien. That people didn’t know much about the space and didn’t discover the secrets that Cosmos kept. But these two men had ventured to take the first step toward a solution. My grandmother remembers: “My husband and I went to meet Gagarin to Moscow. His road was 17 kilometers; people were on the whole way. All three days while Gagarin recovered from the flight, our country was happy.  It was our common achievement”.  Who are superheroes? In our opinion, they have many interests in common. Armstrong, and Gagarin were interested in the aviation from their childhood, and Neil and Yuri went to flying clubs. They served in the Army and both were test pilots. They both were modest, responsible and serious people. They both had a very charming smile. Armstrong was also a very respected and valued friend, had strong character, and had all the qualities of a leader. Armstrong stood out among the other test pilots for its exceptional restraint and composure, had been dubbed the "Ice Captain". They were solemnly met after the flight, and after they had made a lot of trips around the world. The craters on the moon were named in their honor. Both of them had many awards and a lot of fans all over the world. There is only one otherness in their biography: Yuri crashed during a training flight on the MiG-15UTI with his partner and coach Vladimir Seryogin. The whole world grieved deeply for Gagarin. In the USSR it was the first time when a day of mourning for a man who was not the current head of state was declared. Armstrong lived up to 80 years in seclusion, hiding from fame, and died on the 25th of August in 2012. The whole world knew about these people, of their fearlessness and courage, sincere smile. And the world will always remember them looking at the sky, the moon and stars.

The last couple of heroes: Werther and Robocop. They were robots, but not quite. Robocop was created on the basis of nervous system of the deceased policeman and Werther was a biorobot. They were common in their ability to protect the people, in dedication and fidelity to the principles. Robocop was a police officer, a public servant, which protected citizens and kept order. Despite the fact that his body was composed almost entirely of metal, he had not lost humanity, sometimes he had dreams and experienced emotions. Werther worked in the Institute of time. In the past he was a fighting robot. In conclusion, all these characters belonged to different groups, but all of them were very similar, except the difference in their birth.

In our opinion, Russia and America have more similar than differences. During the Cold War, mutual distrust, the arms race, a different mentality, a different history and way of life, we do not always understand each other, but always try to show that we are ready to establish relations between the countries. Let the ordinary people go to Russia on holidays and from Russia to America, maybe then we will understand and trust each other. But why do we always repel each other? Is it because we are very similar? Russia and America have always been competing with each other. And maybe we should unite and work not only for ourselves but also for the whole world? Of course, it’s all just a dream. Why cannot we live in peace and obey the unified system of values, like our heroes? Why do we have business relationships between the countries, but not normal human ones? Both countries try to get used to each other, try to find loopholes to get around or not fully fulfill the agreement. We think that this situation is not new, it will always be so, we suppose.  So let's take a step forward and feel like a superhero, and soon you will probably be able to perform impossible. We think that it will help us to win the mutual mistrust. And soon we will be able to see both American and Russian superheroes fighting together against the evil, for common faith, peace and freedom.

Theses:

Russia and America friendship or confrontation?

We will attempt to prove that our countries have a lot in common, basing on the similarities to choose characters. We will analyze their biographies, characters and actions.

We look at some superheroes: Captain America and Vasiliy Tyorkin, Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin and Nil Olden Armstrong, Werther and Robocop.

Who are superheroes? In our work we try to answer this question.

Literature:

1. А. Твардовский «Василий Теркин», «Детская литература» Москва  1964 год;
2. Толковый словарь иноязычных слов, 2004;
3. Macmillan Essential Dictionary for learners of English, 2004;
4. http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%97%D0%B0%D0%B3%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B0;
5. http://www.strangearts.ru/heroes/kapitan-amerika-captain-america;
6. www.marvel.com.