James Bond
By Hans Andreasen
Where did the idea originate?
Fleming (Bonds creator) based the idea on a number of individuals he came across during his time in the Naval Intelligence Division during the Second World War, admitting that Bond "was a compound of all the secret agents and commando types I met during the war".
Is this accepted by all classes of society?
Nobody disliked the concept of a secret agent and all classes enjoyed the films. Upper and lower class could relate to the character and it was a huge success because of this.
Is there a way the upper classes identify themselves with this pop culture item?
The upper class related themselves to Bond because they have the nice cars and suits that he had. Also they have traveled to the places he carried out his missions.
Are there any racial differences with this item?
There are no racial differences with this item. It is something that any race can watch and enjoy.
Has this shaped our class, regional, or national identity?
It has not shaped much in terms of identity but it has changed our perspective on how a spy might look. When you ask someone what a spy looks like they will describe James Bond.
Does it say anything about gender or gender norms?
Unfortunately it makes men seem superior and women look like objects. Every movie that James Bond is in, the women he meets are only prizes that he wins at the end of his missions.
Does this item impact politics or does politics impact this item?
This item does not impact politics nor do politics impact it.
Was there any backlash to your idea or item? If so, explain specifically what happened and if not, explain why you believe it was universally accepted.
There was no backlash to the idea. It was accepted because it was an something exciting that everyone enjoyed. It was watched by everyone across the globe and this is because it was not about any race or culture. It was about action and adventure which is something everyone liked and still likes to this day.