The Real Strength of Captain America

"Hi Heroes! This is Stan Lee coming at you. I want you to know. Marvel has always been and always will be, a reflection of the world right outside our window."

Fictional stories are not just meant to be in the pages of a book or in the scenes of a movie. Sometimes these stories resonate deeply with our own lives. And this is obvious too. After all, who writes these stories? Another human being, right? Next time when you read a fictional story or see a movie, try to also read about its author. You will realize how that story is influenced by the author's own experiences. We actually get to share the perception of the author in any story. While the Harry Potter series is a magic world, its also so much about the life and desires of J K Rowling. The movie characters are also influenced by real-life situations. Even the superheroes.

When Batman appeared in comic books for the first time, America was going through the great depression. Urbanization was growing fast along with violent crimes. And that explains the main role of Batman that is to fight criminals. Black Panther debuted in comics in the backdrop of civil rights and black power movement. All superheroes are heavily influenced by the era they debuted in and the contemporary sociopolitical issues of that time.

I think superheroes were a fictional response to tackle the prevailing real-life difficulties.  And that's why a fictional story or a character is not only a figment of imagination but a real possibility. Cinema is a possibility. Characters are a possibility. Stories are a possibility. Tony Stark, Captain jack sparrow, Joker, Batman; The are possibilities.

And in the same way, some 78 years ago, Captain America was created, as a possibility. It was 9 years before Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the US had not yet entered World war 2 officially. Allied
powers were on their back foot. The pace at which Hitler was advancing made Americans felt that today or tomorrow they had to get into a fight. And with that feeling, Captain America comics began to sell on the streets. To make people aware that if the situation comes, then What do we do, Cap? We fight.

But make no mistake, Captain America is a symbol of defense, not offense. That's why he has a shield and not an attacking weapon. Though he has learned to use the shield as a weapon when the
situation demands against bullies. Because he hates bullies. Be it nazis or Fury. Even Tony Stark who, in the civil war, tried to impose his will on other superheroes to sign them up for Sokovia Accord. And even then Steve chose to fight.

Steve Rogers had a very humble beginning compared to other superheroes. If you look at Superman, he is a god from another planet. Peter Parker became Spiderman by accident. Then he realizes that with great power comes great responsibility. Bruce Banner also becomes The Hulk by accident. Even Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark, the rich kids, they also get the inspiration to do something good only going after through a bad phase in life.

But Steve Rogers is different. Unlike other superheroes, his mentality was not changed by any accident, event, or a bad situation. He has always been that way.  He has a will to fight for good regardless of his situation.  The truth is that Steve's spirit is not proportional to his strength. His strength and spirit are two different things. Even if by any unfortunate means his strength is reduced to a normal human being, his spirit will remain the same. And that's what makes him so special. Steve Rogers deserved to be Captain America. He always knew the value of strength because he was weak. His relentless will power, that he will win or die trying but he will not give up, is also seen for his friend Bucky. When everyone doubted the intention of Bucky Steve beside him. He was adamant of Bucky's innocence.

Captain America came as a soldier in the comic world, a normal human being whose strength has been increased to the nth degree. But he was just a soldier with a shield. He also had other soldiers in his team to support him on the battlefield. His enemy also had a big army. War was about guns, bullets, bombs. But after all these years, things have changed. The situation today in Avengers Endgame is very different. Today the enemy is Thanos who does not fight with guns and bombs but by changing reality and playing with time. With all infinity stones, he can actually do anything. Today Captain's opposition is not an army of soldiers but an army of aliens. And even the people who support him on the battlefield are Thor, Hulk, Ironman, Vision, Wanda. And they are all so different in terms of their powers, thinking, and emotions. And sometimes Captain America seems like a man out of time among them. A soldier with a shield, fighting among gods.

But captain still is important to Avengers and will always be so and only because he can do this all day. As long as he is breathing, he will get up and fight.

Note: This article was written before the release of the Avengers Endgame.