The actions of a Marvel protagonist affect far more than their story—what do Tony Stark, Dr. Strange, and Peter Parker tell us about heroism?
HEROISM
The concept of heroism has always been a part of our fiction, all the way back to Greek plays and folk heroes. Figures who, in some form or another, are exaggerated to epic proportions for the purpose of exemplifying a society's morals.
Heroism is huge, and I'm not referring to the often unbelievable muscular proportions of these types of characters. Heroism makes a statement. What, in a given society, is so vital to someone's character that it makes them an idol?
Nowadays, we have a very particular trend: superheroes. Namely the twenty-strong-and-growing film franchise that is Marvel Studios.
Just like folk heroes aren't ordinary, well, folks, the main character in a superhero film isn't just a protagonist. Any story, if well-written, centers around a character with whom the audience can sympathize and learn something from. Superheroes in particular are that tenfold, pillars of idealism and morality.
At this point, we have dozens of Marvel heroes. These characters (and their creators) can be blatant about morality in a way unique to superhero movies. In particular, I'm talking about the Big Hero Moment.
What I mean by "Big Hero Moment" is the turning point in the film when the protagonist makes a change central to their character, elevating from an individual to the hero they need to become. We can also call it an epiphany. It's usually at the climax of the film, accompanied by epic music and/or explosions.
So, how has Marvel chosen to present some of its heroes so far?
(spoilers ahead: Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Spiderman: Homecoming)
TONY STARK/IRON MAN
Iron Man (2008) introduces Tony Stark as an immature playboy who doesn't take anything seriously, especially the powerful weapons he sells.
His life takes a turn: he is kidnapped and held for ransom. He experiences fear and loss.
Tony Stark makes a decision: to create Iron Man. To become a man who devotes his sizable fortune and risks his life for others.
The following clip is Tony Stark's subsequent Big Hero Moment in Iron Man, when he returns to a town where his company's weapons have become the tools of terrorists.
And here's what this scene tells us is heroic:
- Protecting the innocent
- Pairing brute force with a clever workaround
- Fixing your mistakes
STEPHEN STRANGE/DOCTOR STRANGE
Doctor Strange (2016) begins with an overconfident, egotistical Dr. Stephen Strange.
His life takes a turn (sounds familiar, but stick with me): an accident renders him unable to perform surgery. He pursues answers in the form of mystic arts and quickly becomes proficient.
Stephen Strange makes a decision: to accept responsibility for something bigger than his own cure. He resolves to risk his life, an infinite amount of times, to protect the people he once scorned.
Here is Strange's Big Hero Moment, after trapping the chaotic force Dormammu in a time loop:
Here's what this scene tells us is heroic:
- Sacrificing your pride for the sake of doing what is right
- Humbleness
- Putting yourself in harm's way to save others
PETER PARKER/SPIDERMAN
Spiderman: Homecoming (2017) delves deeper into the character of Peter Parker, an idealistic teenager with grand plans to be an Avenger.
His life takes a turn: after making a dangerous mistake, his multimillion dollar suit is confiscated, and, as he says, he's "nothing without this suit."
Peter Parker makes a decision: to do what is right, even though it means facing a dangerous adversary with less protection and tools.
Spiderman's Big Hero Moment is much smaller in scale, and notably doesn't include violence:
What does this last scene tell us is heroic?
- Vulnerability
- Inner strength
- Letting nothing stand in your way of pursuing what's right
CONCLUSION
This was only a crash course in the weight these movies bear on our ideas of heroism. The Big Hero Moments are changeable, but the general idea remains the same. The qualities and journeys of Marvel protagonists affect how the audience perceives right and wrong. Despite the overwhelming white maleness of Marvel's line up, there is a respectable amount of variety when it comes to values.
This may not seem to matter to adults who aren't in a significant developmental phase. But what about kids? What do children pretend to be while they play? Superheroes. They mimic their heroes, and by extension, imitate their values. Dr. Janina Scarlet, a behavioral scientist, applies the influence of these heroes to "superhero therapy."
"After all, people, regardless of their age, need someone to look up to. In fact, superheroes are used as metaphors of courage and power, which sometimes even form a foundation for helping people psychologically."
Metaphors of courage and power. What else do Tony Stark, Stephen Strange, and Peter Parker have in common?
They're all white, straight, able-bodied men, two of which are financially affluent.
So, what if some of these metaphors of courage and power were black? Hispanic? Asian? Middle-Eastern? Polynesian?
What if they were women? Trans? Non-binary? Gender fluid?
What if they were queer? Pansexual? Ace?
What if they were disabled? Deaf? Manic-depressive? Autistic?
Human nature and human identity is infinite. If creative outlets have the freedom to discuss it, then that means infinite empowerment.
SEE PART 2: ERASURE, LACK OF REPRESENTATION, AND WHY BOTH ARE HARMFUL
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