Poema S8 010 | Dr Jill Harrington on Superhero Grief

This week Dr Jill A. Harrington, DSW, LCSW, psychologist and author, joins me to discuss grief as explored in the context of superhero stories.

She is the co-author and editor of the book 'Superhero Grief'. In this episode we explore various experiences and responses to grief as we see in the stories of several superheroes - in particular Batman, a character who suffered violent trauma and grief.

We talk about how she's used various superhero stories in her research into the psychology of grief, attachment, and grief responses, and different ways we grieve. We also explore the concept of duality, and the background of the creation of Superman, and how in many ways this was a response to the grief experiences his creators and collective grieving and trauma Jews experienced in the 1930s and 1940s. 

With the recent release of 'The Batman', about this character who experienced grief, and in a world experiencing a collective grief and trauma, this conversation feels more relevant than ever.