Super

(18)

Anonymous

Super

QUESTION # 1

            Discuss the background of "Super?

        This essay has been written by some anonymous writer and was published in "The Times" magazine.  The writer humorously criticizes the use of different prefixes.

            Mr. Shaw translated the word “super” from German to English language from the work of Nietzsche, who originally used this word.  He applied this word as a prefix to the "man" and created a character of super qualities.  When this word was translated to English, it caught the fancy of people, specially the advertisers.  They vehemently made use of the word ‘super’ with almost everything that was advertised.  Every thing was given the status of being super.  The character of the "Superman" was a man of extra-ordinary qualities but the super things are quite ordinary.  Writer says that super things should be superior to something but they are not.  In writer’s view people use this prefix with their products but never use it with their own names.  For example a man would call his trousers as super-trousers and even he may call himself a super tailor but would never call himself super, as a man.

            In past, too many people were given distinguished titles but they never called themselves as super.  Even today the richest man does not try to embellish himself or his conversation as being a super-human thing.  The writer mocks at the over use of this prefix and ironically says that this word has lost its worth and emphasis because of its over use.  As the modern music produces no effect on mind body or soul, so is the case with  "Super".  It is as meaningless and irritating as is the modern music.

Q. No.2:          What is wrong with the use of this word?

            The writer humorously points out the use of unnecessary phrases in advertisement, specially the word "Super".  He states many examples to present his case.

            He objects to the overuse of this prefix with every thing.  He says that we live in a realm of super things like super chocolate, super soap, super cigarettes and so on.  He objects because the quality of things has not been improved even by a zero percent but their names have been changed to "Super".  Being super means that the thing is superior to something else, but to what, it is not known.  He ridicules the situation by saying that these things must be made by a race of supermen.

            In fact the writer wants to assert that the things should not be improved superficially but their true quality should be raised, so they can genuinely impress people.  Modern time is the time of glitz and glamour.  Things are presented in super packing and super advertisement but their true quality is nothing.

  The things are symbols of their makers, who have become super outwardly but from inside they are still uncultured and undeveloped.  The change should come in the soul of everything.  This is what the writer wants to suggest through this essay.

Q. No.3:          Point out the elements of satire and humour from this essay?

            This essay is full of humorous and satirical expressions.  Writer has light-heartedly pointed out the use of the word “super”.  He ridicules the emptiness of shallow modern man who tries to embellish things outwardly but their inner hollowness remains intact.

            The very first line is satirical when writer says that Mr. Shaw could never foresee the immense effects of his novel use of the word super.  He says that the superman is an imaginative character that may come in future but the use of this word has filled the world with super things like super soap, super cigarette, super chocolate etc.  Being super they should be of a higher quality but they are not.  He humorously adds the example of a certain abusive epithet that has lost its meanings due to over use.

            Ironically enough he expects that this bulk of super things might be made by a race of super men.  He laughs at the trends of advertisement where people go to the extent of calling themselves, for instance, as super-tailor due to the super trousers they make.  He compares the use of the word super to the doubling of paper money that increases the quantity of currency but buying power remains the same.  Today nobody caress about the personal worth or quality of a man.  Writer says that our development is so superficial and fickle that we think that our super inventions like our super aero-planes will astonish and amaze even Shakespeare or Leonardo da Vinci.

            At the end he mocks at the quality and impact of super music and says that now the use of "Super" does not produce any effect like the super music.  On the whole this is a fun-packed essay that conveys its message in an emphatic and straightforward way.