Throughout X-Men and X-Men 2 there
is a constant battle between right and wrong. The right and wrong battle is
between humans and mutants. In each other’s eyes, the other is deemed evil. The
main perspective both of the movies focus on is from the side of the mutants
and their constant battle with the humans. In the beginning of X-Men 2, the war
between the mutants and humans is in the process of building up. My question
is, which side is the right side and which is wrong? In order to build an
argument, both the human and mutant populations must be taken into account.
Let’s start with the human
population. From their perspective, mutants are considered monsters. In X-Men 2
when Bobby came home, he decided to tell his parents that he was attending the
gifted school for mutants instead of going to preparatory school. His own
family did not accept him and his bother called that police on Billy and the
other mutants. The belief in the society is that mutants are the monsters, the
belief is so strong that Billy’s own family did not accept him.
Now for the mutant population. The
mutants spend their days in isolation from the world around them. In Xavier’s
School for the Gifted, mutants are surrounded by other mutants for both school
and daily life. The reasoning behind the isolation is for mutants to avoid the
wrath of humans. William Stryker dedicated his life to the annihilation of the
mutant race. Many of the mutants, like Rouge, decided to run away from home in
constant fear that she might be a monster.
This war between humans and mutants
reminds me of any other war. No matter which side, that side believes it is
correct. The idea of right or wrong in a society redirects back to the social
norms of a society. Society attempts to formulate matters into right or wrong
and good or evil. The problem with war in general is that good people exist on
both sides.
Is it possible that the underlying
message to the film is about acceptance? I know this could seem to be
far-fetched and generalized, but at the end of X-Men 2 the good side of the
mutants and the good side of the human population come together. The two
differing groups paired up together and ended up saving the world.
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ReplyDeleteAllison-I think you make a few good points! I agree that good people exist on both sides, and that there really is no "good" side and no "bad" side, rather there are elements of both good and bad in the humans and the mutants. When thinking of the mutants isolating themselves from the humans, my initial thought is that this is bad. The long-term goal of the mutants is to be accepted, but how can they be accepted if they are hiding themselves away from the humans? Today in class, Molly pointed out that the short-term goal is more important, as the mutant's survival is the most important thing right now. But, when will that short-term goal be able to change and focus on the long-term goal? When will the mutants and humans stop being fearful of one another? I don't think we will ever be able to clearly distinguish between "good" and "bad."
ReplyDeleteYou bring up an interesting concept. The first is that regardless of which side someone is on, they will see themselves as the heroes (in this case the mutants and humans) but the second is also worth noting. I am sensing some parallels between the points you bring up and the concept that everyone is capable of being a monster, regardless of whether or not they are a mutant.
ReplyDeleteI want to start by saying that I was really upset when Bobby's parents didn't except him for who he was. It must of been really hard for Bobby to reveal that part of him and yet they still rejected him, like he wasn't their son or something. Although, in reality I'd probably be scared to death of mutant, but I would never disown my own child for something he could not control. I also like your social norms point. In reality it is normal for us want to reject a mutant because they can be seen as a threat especially based on the fact that they are not human. But who'd to say all mutants are bad? Its like saying you don't like someone before you get to know them. You can't generalize for the whole group.... that's just kinda messed up. I kind of like the fact that you think acceptance is the underlying message!
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