I have a video essay assignment it needs to be about my topic which I will attach in a file I will send the instructions and an example INSTRUCTIONS Introduce Yourself: The Finale! Due on Apr 19, 2026

Working Title “Why We Are Part of the Problem in The Boys .” Why I Chose This Topic I chose this topic because The Boys doesn’t just portray corrupt superheroes — it also reflects how society responds to them. What interested me most is how the public in the show continues to support heroes even when there is evidence of their wrongdoing. Characters like Homelander maintain populari ty despite their behavior, which made me think about how audiences in real life also support celebrities and public figures regardless of their actions. This made me want to explore whether the show is actually criticizing viewers as much as it is criticiz ing superheroes. Tentative Claim / Thesis The Boys critiques not only corrupt superheroes but also the audience, suggesting that society’s desire for entertainment, hero worship, and denial enables powerful individuals to continue abusing their power. How This Research Benefits the Audience This research helps audiences think more critically about their role as viewers.

Instead of only blaming powerful figures, it encourages people to reflect on how their own attention, support, and consumption of media contribute to systems of power. The lar ger goal is to make viewers more aware of how entertainment can shape their values and normalize harmful behavior. Two Main Sides of the Argument Side Supporting the Claim: • The public in the show continues to idolize heroes despite clear evidence of harm. • Media and entertainment distract audiences from holding powerful figures accountable. • The show mirrors real -world behavior where fans defend celebrities no matter what. Opposing Side: • The show is primarily satire and exaggeration, not a direct critique of the audience. • Viewers may interpret the series as purely fictional and not reflective of real behavior. • Some argue responsibility lies entirely with those in power, not the public. Sources Consulted 1. The Boys. Created by Eric Kripke. Released in 2019 on Amazon Prime Video. This will serve as my primary source, especially scenes showing public reactions to superheroes and media influence. 2. Horton, Donald, and Richard Wohl. “Mass Communication and Para -Social Interaction.” Psychiatry , 1956. This article introduces the concept of parasocial relationships, which helps explain why audiences feel connected to and defend powerful figures. 3. Couldry, Nick. “Media, Society, World: Social Theory and Digital Media Practice.” Polity Press, 2012. This book explores how media shapes audience behavior and participation, which connects to how viewers engage with power and entertainment.