Deconstructing the Character of Peter Parker Part 1

This is the first in what is going to be a series of rants about the character of Peter Parker. My intent here is to go from the beginning to the point of where the character should be now and to show the change of awareness with the readers. By awareness, it is meant in regards the level of information accessed, level of experience, and general development in the human condition.

Amazing Fantasy published in 1962 introduce Peter Parker as a loner and science nerd. In a freak accident, he gets powers from a radioactive spider and becomes Spider-man. He let his ego get the better of him; as a result of that, his uncle Ben is killed. This teaches him that with great power comes great responsibility. Written by Stan Lee and art by Steve Ditko.

That is beginning of the serial life of Peter Parker where are introduce to the reason for his choice of becoming a hero and the motto he lives by that is the central theme in a majority of book. During Stan’s first run on Amazing Spider-man, the foundation of the character of Peter Parker was laid in way that he could relate to everyman. Hence is why Peter Parker is called the everyman character. Stan introduced a supporting cast that would highlight certain aspects of Peter’s nature.

Aunt May represented Peter’s past and his guilt. His sense of responsibility toward her can be seen as two fold. She is the mother figured for Peter. She believes in him when no one else would and supported him during his younger years in his science endeavors. She believed that he meant to do something great and be something great. She is also a reminder of his guilt of inaction and ego. She suffered the loss of her husband. Peter sees that every time he looks at Aunt May or thinks of her. It could be said that Aunt May represents the best and worst of Peter’s action. The best being in his scientific ability that she helps cultivate, and the worst result of not using his powers responsibly.

J. Jonah Jameson represented the authority figure that Peter’s clashed with in his youth. During the sixties authority was often questioned or seen as the enemy. Peter either thinking or getting into fight with JJ touch a cord with America’s youth at the time. It also shows a streak of strength in the character that wasn’t shown while he was at high school. He was also a source of unintended support to Peter’s life giving a strong male figure he could sort of look up to and get used to focus his rebellious streak towards.

Flash Thomason could be seen as Peter’s id in psychological terms. Flash tormented Peter during High School which Peter allowed because of hiding his secret identity. It also could be said part of Peter felt he desired to be tormented by Flash due to his constant degrading himself. Flash was Peter’s punishment for Uncle Ben’s death.

During this time the introduction of what has been called the “Ditko villains” happen in the books. The majority of these villains have one thing in common, science. These represented what could have happened if Peter chose a different path. They, for the most part, are the other side of coin of the character of Peter Parker.

Readers during this time we part of country that some say where divided amongst on themselves. Children were rebelling against their parents. They were challenging authority figures and questioning their government. Peter Parker could be seen as iconic figure at that time. Peter was rebelling against the ideas and views of people that pigeon hole him as a “nerd” by becoming Spider-man. Spider-man was everything Peter wasn’t by being strong and funny. Readers at that time could relate to that because they wanted to be different than everyone else especially what their parents what them to be. Reader also could relate to Peter sense of guilty and responsibility. Readers at that time took to the streets to show how they felt and took responsibility for those actions. They felt guilty for their countries actions and showed it in protest.

That is it for part one which basically takes place from 1962-69.