Hulk Smashed! Analysis

            There are many lessons that can be learned from popular culture.  We can learn from the mistakes of celebrities, we can learn morals, and we can use popular culture to teach us how to cope with issues in our life.  The article written by Joseph F. Brown entitled Hulk Smashed! The Rhetoric of Alcoholism in Television’s Incredible Hulk is an article that speaks to the last point.  Brown uses the television show to teach the reader ways of coping with the issue of substance abuse.

            The story of the Incredible Hulk is based in part by the story Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; it is about a man named Dr. Bruce Banner who, through a series of events, gained the ability to turn into a large green monster when he is enraged.  As the green monster, known as the Hulk, he gains strength based on the amount of anger he feels.  The Hulk is an uncontrollable force, and generally destroys everything in his path.  Dr. Bruce Banner is a physicist who was involved in a military experiment that turned him into the Hulk.  After the experiment, Bruce Banner faked his death, began going by David Banner, and began wondering the countryside.  He began this for two reasons, to escape the damage that was done by the Hulk, and because the military sought the abilities of the Hulk.

            In this story, Bruce Banner had a relatively normal life until the accident created the Hulk.  Because of this affliction, he can no longer live a normal life, and spends his time attempting to keep control of his anger in order to keep the Hulk at bay.  Bruce is burdened by his vagrancy, as well as the possibility of the destruction he could cause.  In his article, Brown likens this struggle between a normal person and a destructive force to the struggles with substance abuse, specifically alcoholism.  The television show also spawned several movies, and according to Brown, Bruce Banner even likens his affliction to AA, alcoholics anonymous.

            For Bruce Banner, this affliction causes him much anguish, much like alcoholism to an alcoholic.  When Bruce turns into the Hulk, he has the potential of hurting the ones he loves, or other people who just happen to be around him.  Similarly, someone who suffers from alcoholism can cause pain and suffering to the loved ones who want the person to be able to live without the affliction, and it is very easy for an intoxicated person to hurt innocent people around them, as in driving drunk. 

            I think this article compares a real life issue, alcoholism, to a fictional character from a television show, the Hulk.  In a brief summary it may seem like it is making light of this serious affliction, but in fact, the author does a very good job at explaining how the connection is made, and what can be gained from studying Bruce Banner and his struggle with the Hulk, and the problems that are associated with that responsibility. 

            This article does a great job at giving someone who has not had any interaction with someone who suffers from alcoholism, a reference point as to the struggles the person is going through.  The show is considered by many to be a classic example of this character that originated in the comic books and from this article can be used as a good example of a person’s struggle with substance abuse.

Reference

Brown, J. F., & BROWN, J. F. (2011). Hulk Smashed! The Rhetoric of Alcoholism in Television's Incredible Hulk. Journal Of Popular Culture, 44(6), 1171-1190.