Eastern Chivalry and Western Heroism: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study of the Images of Yang Guo and Batman

As typical embodiments of two cultural value systems, Eastern chivalry and Western heroism have profoundly influenced literature and film. This study selects Yang Guo from Jin Yong's martial arts novel The Return of the Condor Heroes (1995 edition) and Batman (Bruce Wayne) from the DC Comics film Batman Begins as representative cases. Through comparative analysis and case study methods, the research explores the similarities and differences in the portrayal of "heroes" in Eastern and Western cultures. The findings indicate that Eastern chivalry prioritizes collectivist patriotism and ethical equilibrium, whereas Western heroism underscores individualistic justice and opposition to systemic corruption. While both exhibit parallels in ethical principles and developmental trajectories, they diverge markedly in their foundational values, behavioral frameworks, social dynamics, and symbolic conclusions.