The Problem with Thanos: Metamodernism, Mega-movies, and the Monomyth
Biographical Sketch
I graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2010 with a doctorate in Curriculum Studies. I then worked at the University teaching prerequisite courses to students interested in pursuing a degree in education. After departing in 2012, I wrote and published my first book On the Miseducation of Davy Jones: Popular Culture, Piracy, and Outlaw Pedagogy before returning to the classroom in 2016. I am currently working as an assistant professor of education at Gordon State College in Barnesville, GA, primarily teaching foundation courses to middle and secondary education majors as well as overseeing the edTPA process for all students in the department. Prior to my teaching at the college level, I spent 12 years in the K-12 classroom.
Type of Presentation
Individual presentation
Brief Description of Presentation
This presentation will be a discussion of the material presented in my paper. It is my hope that a dialogue may ensue that questions the concepts discussed in ways I have not yet considered.
Abstract of Proposal
This paper seeks to explore the concept of Metamodernism in relation to Modernism and Postmodernism. In particular, I examine how Timotheus Vermeulen and Robin van den Akker conceptualize the ideas oscillation and a “structure of feeling” as a means of reinserting hope into Postmodern irony while attempting to re-imagine structures established by modernist philosophy. By situating Joseph Campbell’s hero within a metamodern context, I am able to demonstrate how the hero oscillates between the structural monomyth and the re-imagination of what constitutes a hero. Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War exemplifies this re-imagination in the way Thanos oscillates between protagonist/antagonist and hero/antihero/villain. Thus, questions emerge as to the identity of the hero in this film and how a re-imagination of this identify may be used to supplant current oppressive trends in education.
Start Date
2-22-2019 1:20 PM
End Date
2-22-2019 2:50 PM
Recommended Citation
Pollock, Beth A. Dr, "The Problem with Thanos: Metamodernism, Mega-movies, and the Monomyth" (2019). International Critical Media Literacy Conference. 16.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/criticalmedialiteracy/2019/2019/16
The Problem with Thanos: Metamodernism, Mega-movies, and the Monomyth
This paper seeks to explore the concept of Metamodernism in relation to Modernism and Postmodernism. In particular, I examine how Timotheus Vermeulen and Robin van den Akker conceptualize the ideas oscillation and a “structure of feeling” as a means of reinserting hope into Postmodern irony while attempting to re-imagine structures established by modernist philosophy. By situating Joseph Campbell’s hero within a metamodern context, I am able to demonstrate how the hero oscillates between the structural monomyth and the re-imagination of what constitutes a hero. Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War exemplifies this re-imagination in the way Thanos oscillates between protagonist/antagonist and hero/antihero/villain. Thus, questions emerge as to the identity of the hero in this film and how a re-imagination of this identify may be used to supplant current oppressive trends in education.
