Uprising feminism and patriotism originating from the United States is showcased through comic

book superheroes which sparked from World War II and continues to express these ideologies even
until today. These can be seen from the “Wonder Woman” comics by William Marston and later
through historic passage by Jean-Paul Gabilliet. The social and warfare issues encapsulated in
“Wonder Woman” illustrates the breaking of barriers despite producing the patriotic embankments
towards readers. This paradigm is explored from historian, Gabilliet’s passage, stating the effect of
the United States on patriotism.

With the ongoing war, the entrance of the United States, seen an increase in propaganda and a need
for contribution in order to resolve the war. Depicted in the “Wonder Woman” comics, it can be
seen that main protagonists’ timeline is within the war, fighting against Nazis. This relevancy
amongst the ongoing war of the comic’s initial release, creates a sense of patriotism within readers,
“The entry of the United States into the war off a proliferation of patriotic heroes”, as these
supposed superheroes take down their enemies and represent their country. The iconic eagle, red
and blue colouring and white stars worn by Wonder Woman represents the American flag, brands
her as a hero serving as the American side in the war. The above notion creates the idea of loyalty to
the country and symbolising the win for America in the war. Patriotism of the protagonists is later
portrayed again in the scene using contrast of “I promise!”, which in return, “Count on me, captain –
I’ll do it!”. This provides insights to readers of the righteousness and loyalty many are subjected to
towards their home country. Marston, readily uses the impacts of war and his surrounding stories to
create a sense of patriotism through his supposably superhero which at the same time is considered
to be propaganda.

Moreover, during the period between the war and the post-war era, the rise of women rights,
breaking of stereotypes and concepts that women are not to be restricted by barriers rose and can
be found from the portrayals in “Wonder Woman”. “Wonder Woman” expresses her femininity
through the use of costuming by Marston. As seen on the cover page, Wonder Woman wears high
heels and makeup to battle, breaking stereotypical barriers of the female gender of being able to
withhold inhuman strength whilst still showcasing their stereotyped features. Furthermore, the
breaking of chains by Wonder Woman and the female hostages symbolises the equality and freedom
of women from the grasp of society. This was included in the cover by the author to remind readers
of the state that women of the society had been facing, creating an effect of sympathy and
realisation from the unconditional audience. Through the use of the extended metaphor, “If any
man weld chains on your bracelets, you will become weak”, the author refers to these “chains” as
social norms placed upon women to be lesser to man from a society. As readers interpret this, we
discover that in order to “break these chains”, one must challenge these barriers just as how
Wonder Woman challenged the antagonists in the comics. Due to the barriers between two genders,
Marston attempts to show breakage of these norms from the use of Wonder Woman whilst
expressing the uprising of feminism.

Shown in “Wonder Woman”, Marston attempts to establish the picture of a feminine superhero
who captures the features of being a woman but at the same time expresses the difference of
fighting during the war and becoming a patriotic hero. Historian, Gabilliet, incorporates these
themes into account to explain the patriotism from the United States’ entrance into the war. The
effect of both texts, conveys towards readers an in depth analysis of a unique approach towards
superheroes of its time.