Book Report: Gladiator, by Philip Wylie


Book Report: Gladiator, by Philip Wylie

In 1930, author Philip Wylie published the novel Gladiator (no connection to the Russell Crowe movie), about a man who is super-strong, invulnerable to bullets, jumps great distances, and runs as fast as a train. In 1932, the character Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. As someone deeply interested in Supermanic Studies, I had to read Gladiator to see how much it might have influenced the creation of Superman.

There are certainly many similarities between the characters of Hugo Danner, protagonist of Gladiator, and Superman. Chief among these are the powers listed above. Hugo Danner also has hair described as so black it is almost blue, which is exactly how I’ve always thought of Superman’s hair. Plus, as a child, Hugo Danner builds a “fortress” out of boulders and logs where he can be alone, something like Superman’s own Fortress of Solitude. Finally, both are the sons of scientists.

The theme of Gladiator is how out of place the exceptional person is in society. Whenever people find out what Hugo Danner can do, they treat him with fear, hatred, and loathing. He tries to keep his abilities hidden, but the secret always comes out, ruining whatever situation he may be in. He can find no use for his abilities that satisfies him and the people around him. He regards his powers as a burden.

This is in contrast to Superman. While he certainly has times when he feels separate from people, Superman revels in his powers. He enjoys matching what he can do against what his enemies can do. The criminals he faces have the advantages of concealment and weapons and the willingness to inflict violence. Superman knows he must make good use of his powers to outwit and defeat evildoers, which he does with delight and often humor.

Hugo Danner is not interested in helping others with his powers. He is more concerned with finding something that he can do with his strength that will bring him glory, and not result in the fear and hatred he is used to. The only time when Hugo Danner feels he is achieving his potential is during war, when his capacity for destruction can be unleashed. By comparison, Superman lives to help people. His life is dedicated to that purpose, and he feels genuine pleasure and pride in his accomplishments.

While Superman keeps his public side and his personal side strictly separate, going so far as to pretend to be two different people, Hugo Danner does not do this. He is who he is and, while he tends to hide his abilities from people, he doesn’t go to the extremes of Superman.

There are some minor differences, also. Superman, and his secret identity Clark Kent, tends to be shy and backward around women. Hugo Danner, on the other hand, has no such inhibitions. During the course of Gladiator, he has affairs with at least five women, some for as long as three months. In addition, Hugo Danner never wears any special costume, of course. No capes or tights in his life.

So, what is the conclusion about the influence of Gladiator on Superman? There could certainly be one, especially about the powers they share. However, there have been plenty of other characters with great strength in stories and legends. Hugo Danner is not unique in that.

More important, I think, is the nature of the characters. Hugo Danner is pretty much out for himself, not caring much about other people. He is not a hero. Superman’s spirit is very different, committing his life to helping others. To Hugo Danner, his abilities are a liability. Superman sees his powers as a privilege.

As to whether I can recommend this book, it depends. If you are interested in possible influences on the character of Superman, or alternative characters with powers, you might enjoy this tale. However, it is not very well written by modern standards. The author seems in a rush to give us the lessons of the story, and often tells us what we should be thinking about Hugo’s situation, rather than letting us decide for ourselves. Speaking of influences, Gladiator seems to contain elements or themes from many other books, including “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” “Frankenstein,” “The Great Gatsby,” and “All Quiet on the Western Front.”

Some of the details about daily life in the early 1900s are fascinating, however, as are the accounts of battle in the First World War. I can easily imagine this book as a movie, with Hugo Danner as a powerful anti-hero.

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