In “Superman and me”, author Sherman Alexie an Indian boy who learned how to read from a Superman Comics Illustrations at the young ago of 3 years old, he is from a very poor background, and lived on a reservation surrounded by his race; Indians. In this essay, He talks about the struggles of being a “smart” Indian and through the influence of the Superman comic he read as a child, Sherman Alexie being the only Indian Boy to knows how to read, he wanted to break the stereotype that Indians are bound to fail at everything and use his gift to save himself and others. The Author wants to use his talent to negate the stereotype about how Indians accomplish anything and influence people through his writing. In “The Movie that changed my life”, author Terry McMillan, who as an elementary school girl living in a small industrial town, in Michigan, with an unfortunate family history. Living with her sister and brother, parents always fighting, living in fear. Using the Wizard of Oz to tell us her life, comparing it to the main character Dorothy’s life. Sometimes wishing she was in Dorothy’s shoes. Terry always wanted to get away from reality. This movie influenced her to open up to her mother and wanting to improve her relationship with her family.
In Both Essays, “Superman and me” and “The Movie that changed my life”. Firstly, authors Sherman Alexie and Terry McMillan’s had many similar life experiences but in some ways were different. One major similarity was that they both were highly influenced by fictional characters. Sherman was influenced by the “Superman comic” that helped him to learn to read, it helped him to come to a conclusion that he should save others. But not only others also himself. Terry was influenced by the Movie “The Wizard of Oz”. She compared it to her life and used some of the scenes in the movie in her life. Like running away and going to a place with no worries. She also through, the influence of the movie became more brave, which leads to a better relationship with her mother. Secondly, the big difference between them is Sherman is unlike McMillan reading a comic book, whereas McMillan is watching a movie. As stated in the title of McMillan’s essay “The Movie That Changed My Life”, she is clearly talking about a movie. But, in Sherman’s essay he is talking about a Superman Comic Book. Though they both learn something from these fictional pieces of work. The work they learned from is different in many ways. In Conclusion, Sherman Alexie as a 3 year old boy and Terry McMillan as an elementary school girl both learned from fictional characters and where influenced in positive ways. They were similar in many ways and also different. But, both movie and comic shaped them.
