Yoshino\u2019s article discusses primarily about the Japanese \u2018uniqueness\u2019, the idea that Japan and the Japanese are somehow different from the rest of the world. It is widely held in Japan as an \u201cobjectified (or externalized)\u201d form of national identity (Yoshino, 108). In class discussion regarding this article, we have touched upon the idea of \u201cAmerican Exceptionalism\u201d. American exceptionalism, defined by Seymour M. Lipset, is a \u201ctheory that the United States is qualitatively different from other nations.\u201d In his book American Exceptionalism: A Double-edged Sword, he points out the original idea of American exceptionalism, first presented by Tozueville and other foreign social scientists or writers, was to merely observe and describe the difference of non-feudal, revolutionized, and democratic system that the world has never seen before in the 18th century. Lipset argues this \u2018exceptionalism\u2019 is a \u201cdouble-edged concept\u201d. By exemplifying the differences from other societies, it becomes easier to extend this \u2018qualitative difference\u2019 into superiority and ignore the negative sides of the society. For that reason he argues that Americans are proud of their nation \u201cregardless of evidence of corruption in high places and higher violent crime rates\u201d, and \u201cexhibit a greater sense of patriotism and of belief that their system is superior to all others.\u201d<\/p>\n
What are the \u2018American\u2019 qualitative differences? Lipset explains that American exceptionalism consists of the following traits;<\/p>\n
These qualities are often portrayed in visual media, especially in films with stories of natural disasters. Because above ideals are difficult to put out as a narrative, they are presented through the plot and cast of the movies. Usually, these characteristics become the following;<\/p>\n
Both Godzilla and 2012 exhibit emphasis on all three \u2018qualitative differences\u2019 \u2013 and in both cases, extends it to \u2018qualitative difference as superiority\u2019. In this essay, I will be presenting Godzilla (1998) and 2012 (2010). I will be focusing on how disaster movies present the extended characteristics American exceptionalism in both editions of a famous film.<\/p>\n
Generally,superhero movies by American companies, such as Marvel or DC comics are more widely thought as ‘hero’ movies. However, in case of natural disaster movies, the super-powered, genetically engineered, and ridiculously powerful superheroes are replaced by (usually) physically incapable, socially awkward, young intellectual Caucasian male, who by default is under-recognized until the disaster actually happens. Both Godzilla movies have this one character who has the responsibility to provide ‘the new angle’ to the already-existing problem.<\/p>\n
In Godzilla (1998), it is quite clear that from the beginning that there is one individual that the government, the whole world needs help from – a biologist reassigned to help the State Department in identifying the world-threatening monster. No one can identify this mysterious being except this one American scientist who studies the radioactive level of animals around the world. US Military, who are in charge of the investigation into this monster that they have identified as Godzilla, forcefully brings him to the state department and makes him research into this monster that is now in New York.<\/p>\n
[Scientist Intro 1, 2]<\/p>\n