Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

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Thesis (UNI Access Only)

Abstract

This paper examines the ways popular Batman narratives unintentionally and often ironically uphold dominant ideology through their portrayals of the societal anxieties prevalent during their production, American exceptionalism, capitalist myths of meritocracy, and strict hierarchical gender norms. Through a semiological lens that draws on Althusser, Barthes, Hall, and Fiske, the paper aims to question the encoded and decoded messages from the superhero franchise from the 1960s through the 21st century, interpreting a range of Batman media: Martinson’s Batman: The Movie (1966), Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns (1986), Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1955), Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy (2005-2012), and Reeves’ The Batman (2022). The research aims to understand which people the superhero represents and fights for on his crusade through Gotham City.

Year of Submission

2026

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Languages and Literatures

First Advisor

Sheila Benson

Date Original

2026

Object Description

1 PDF file (v, 61 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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