Superman grieves when an earthquake strikes

Anyone who has gone through an earthquake won’t be thinking about the earthquake in Superman: The Movie (1978).

That’s pretty much a given.

(Not to denigrate in any way the experiences of people in earthquakes.)

Many people have the seen the scene in Superman. In the desert, Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane finds her vehicle smothered by soil and rocks because of an earthquake. Lois Lane dies.

This is personal for Superman. He wants to save everyone, but Lois is dear to his heart. Superman loves Lois. He cannot live without her. Superman has one of those crisis moments. He “freaks”.

Just imagine the grief that someone who loves Lois, like Superman does, would have to go through, knowing she’s dead.

Reversing death

What happens next is a fantasy moment.  Superman reverses Lois’s death as he back tracks the effects of the earthquake.

However, in visions in the sky, Superman’s mentors and elders advise it is forbidden to interfere. The elders’ warnings show acceptance of the earth’s natural laws and realities. But Superman interferes anyway and reverses the effects of the earthquake and saves Lois.

If someone like a Lois Lane went through an earthquake in real life, she might not have lived. That’s the reality.

A Superman is not there in real life when someone loses their life from an earthquake. People are not always protected from harm though people can take precautions, spiritually and physically. However, reality can be hazardous. One day you will die.

Superman’s relief

The trace of reality is that Superman is like a grieving person who can’t believe a loved one has died, but wants to change it. Superman is human, after all.

Superman did experience grief. He felt it. He felt sorrow. For Superman there comes relief from his sorrow as Lois comes back to life. Grief and sorrow is followed by relief.

The scene of Superman bringing Lois back to life shows us how grieving, figuratively speaking, can pan out. One day, there can be relief from grief.

This is the hope during the natural negativity of grief. Superman points us to this process, in a brief and obscure way.

And it shows the soft side to the Man of Steel and that he gets over his grief and pain.