Class in Avengers

 

The Avengers is a great summer romp of action, adventure, and even humor. We finally got to see a superhero team up that gave the world the explosions and fist fights we always wanted; no offense to the first two X-Men films and X-Men: First Class. But there is deeper issues going on here. Sure in the end the heroes band together to defeat the world wide threat. The middle of the film provides for some great interactions, and altercations. between our antagonists. What really lead to these heated arguments and fist fights? I would debate that it is because of class.

Iron Man vs Captain America

 

In the movie we aren't really given much back story on these two Avengers, but the movie assumes that we have seen there solo films; and the other characters for that matter. so I too will assume that you have seen those films. Captain America, AKA Steve Rogers, grew up on the tough streets of Brooklyn in the 30's and 40's. Neither film states his economic situation, but you can assume he was not wealthy given his health problems and being alive during the great depression was not great for most Americans. His life molded him into a humble man with a ton of courage; which before he became Captain America was even more impressive. It was his character that lead to him being chosen to become The Captain. In spite of his powers coming from the world of science he feels he earned his gifts through his actions in his life leading up to that point and he feels responsible to do what he can for the greater good with those powers now that he has them.

Iron Man, AKA Tony Stark comes from a hugely different back ground. Born into wealth and gifted with genius intelligence he did not have to "earn" anything, aside from his fathers affections. His father is characterized through Iron Man 2 and Captain America: First Avenger as a mix of Walt Disney, Bill Gates, and Hugh Hefner. Tony takes after his father with a little less Walt and a lot more Hugh. He is arrogant, selfish, and impulsive. While Cap was motivated by wanting to serve his country in WWII, Tony was initially motivated by survival and vengeance; both self serving reasons.

Cap resents Tony for his show boating form of hero work and feels he is only does it to stroke his ever growing ego. He even accuses him of being nothing with out his suit. Which said suit would not exist with out his boat loads of money which he may not have if he had not been born Tony Stark. Tony looks at Cap as little more then a successful experiment who became a good soldier who had served his purpose and he and his antiquated ways should be put to pasture.

These two men from different classes and times never come to fist-to-cuffs but come really close. But the resentment between the two for much of the film is rooted in where they came from which is greatly influenced by class.

Thor vs Iron Man & Captain America

 

Thor is depicted as an alien demigod of sorts, but he is also a royal on his home world being the son of Odin. This leads him to some headstrong actions against would be allies. He kidnaps Loki from the custody of S.H.I.E.L.D, Captain America, and Iron Man because he feels Loki is his responsibility and will deal with him as he sees fit. Why? Because he is Odin's son and his issues are bigger then those of the human race and his form of discipline will be better.

If Thor had truly seen humans as equal, or Tony and Steve on level ground as him, he would have approached the situation differently. Instead of taking what he wanted; like a spoiled royal. He would have approached S.H.I.E.L.D and the others and offered his assistance. Tony's impulsive arrogant behavior did not help prevent the fight, in fact it guaranteed it. Eventually Captain America's levelheadedness stopped the fight.

Bruce Banner/Hulk

 

Bruce Banner's dynamic as far as class is very interesting when compared to the other four mentioned. Because of his "condition" any wealth he could of had through his intellect is gone, but that same intellect allows him to tread between the other heroes.

Captain and Bruce get along because Bruce treats him as an equal even though he is far smarter then the Captain. I feel this is because Bruce has been brought down to the lowest level possible. He has been poorer then poor and has grown to respect all life. If Bruce had, like Tony, accumulated wealth with his science would he be that man he was. Someone with Tony Stark's behavior habits with the Hulk inside him is scary to me. 

Speaking of Stark; he looks at Banner as an equal because of his intelligence. Even though Bruce is humble like Captain America, Tony doesn't look down on him. I know part of this is their views on S.H.I.E.L.D and the government/military in general, but if Bruce was as egocentric as Tony they would clash instead of working so well together.

Overall

Avengers also shows two more things about class. First that when disaster strikes; weather it be an alien invasion, nuclear bomb, or a tornado, class is not counted. These things do not care if you are rich or if you are poor. They will destroy what ever is in there path mansion or shanty. Secondly, that when classes pull together, as exemplified through The Avengers themselves, great things can be accomplished. No one class can fix everything just as none of The Avengers could have stopped the threat on their own.