Thanks for your opinions, folcs! When it came right down to it, actually extrapolating on the terms... I chose L&C. It was actually a bit easier that way.
I'm posting my proposal for those who care.
And if anyone wants to have fun, they can list scenes or episodes or fics that might be helpful in supporting my points.
If not, just enjoy my insane attempt to make L&C a part of everything I do (which I might add, the teacher marked "Excellent!"
).
Utopian Scheme: Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (L&C or Lois and Clark)
Lois and Clark as a television series and, by extension, a literary genre known as fan fiction, is a critical utopia. The universe in which it is set, is contemporaneous to ours; and while not a perfect society, it is markedly better than ours and provides a good comparison to the genre of utopia. (Paraphrased from Claeys and Sargent, page 2)
Aspects of Utopianism as relating to L&C:
Social Good - Superman is the epitome of social good, striving to "fight for truth, justice, and the American Way." The character of Clark Kent/Superman is honest and moral and stands as an example of an ideal citizen. Superman isn't utopia, himself, but the idea of him permeates those around him as inspiration towards a greater social good.
Cosmology - MerriamWebster.com defines cosmology as "a branch of astronomy that deals with the origin, structure, and space-time relationships of the universe" The television series, as well as the fan fiction genre, explores the idea of soul mates, cosmically bound souls that no matter the time or place, find each other during each life. Lois and Clark also delves into the idea of time travel and alternate universes - benefits and consequences.
Identity - Lois and Clark exhibits a
culture in which good always prevails over evil - an often portrayed aspiration of society. The ideal of good winning against evil is not only conveyed through Superman's struggles against the villains, but also through the
sub-culture of the news media. Lois and Clark endeavor daily to make the world a better place by exposing criminals and righting wrongs through their work as reporters. Lois and Clark also explores the
counter-culture, the near antithesis of the original society, of a parallel universe in which there is a Clark Kent, but no Superman. This universe's battle against evil is far more difficult, emphasizing the idealness of the original universe.
Summum bonum: No matter the struggle, good will win over evil, and true love will always prevail.
Sara
That is until... the teacher handed out the guidelines for our term paper:
