Captain America: The First Avenger is primarily set during World War II in New York City and across Europe. It is about the fight between the American Military led Steve Rogers, Captain America, and Hydra, the science division of the Nazi regime, led by Johann Schmidt. Schmidt became Red Skull after injecting himself with an imperfect version of the super soldier serum that is later used to turn Rogers into Captain America.
Rogers came from Irish Immigrants and lived in Brooklyn until he joined the military. Rogers is a great example of a person living with high moral values, such as standing up for others, treating others with respect, living with integrity, living by his personal values, and being a true friend. He showed these qualities before he became Captain America and took the super soldier serum made by Dr. Abraham Erskine. Rogers continued to be humble and live his morals after he became Captain America and became well-known.
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
He did not give up even when he came from a background where most people would give up.
Rogers’ parents were immigrants) to America and struggled. During World War I, Steve’s dad joined the military (107th infantry division) and died from a mustard gas attack before Steve was born.He grew up with no father and a single mother, who worked a lot to put food on the table. His mother was a tuberculosis ward nurse, who died of tuberculosis when Steve was a teenager. Steve ended up an orphaned child.
Steve was often picked on and beat up throughout his youth for being small and scrawny. When riding with Agent Carter to undergo the procedure with the super soldier serum, Steve pointed to various places, such as alleyways along the trip where he was beaten up as an adolescent.
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
He was looking to stop others from being bullied like he was.
In the beginning of the movie, Rogers is in a theater watching a military propaganda commercial before the start of a movie. When a guy keeps yelling, “Get on with the movie already,” Steve requests that the man quiet down multiple times, and the guy takes him outside in the alley to fight. Rogers is punched a few times to the ground before his pal Bucky Barnes saves the day. This altercation shows his heart, as he feels the need to make the bully respect the rights of others in the movie theater.
Steve Rogers tried to join the army 6 times and was rejected 5 times for being physically unfit to be a soldier and for having asthma. On the 6th time he was accepted by Dr. Abraham Erskine because of why he was trying to join. Dr. Erskine asked.”Why do you want to join the army? Do you want to kill Nazis?” Steve replied, “I don’t want to kill anyone; I just don’t like bullies wherever they’re from.”
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
He did not give up doing what he thought was right.
While Steve was in boot camp, Colonel Chester Phillips threw a grenade into a platoon of men to help decide who should become the candidate for the super soldier. All the men in the platoon ran for cover except Rogers, who jumped onto the grenade and told everyone to get back.
In a conversation with Dr. Erskine, Rogers asked why he was chosen for the super soldier operation. Dr. Erskine responded, “Because you have compassion. Stay who you are, stay a good man.” In both his pursuit of Erskine’s assassin and his actions throughout the movie, he displays these qualities.
He was faithful to his friends and kind to others
When Captain America was touring Europe to bring up the spirits of the troops he found out that his best friend, Bucky Barnes, was missing in action and possibly a prisoner of war. There were many other soldiers missing from the same infantry unit as Barnes. Captain America decided to go alone, 30 miles behind enemy lines, to see if the soldiers were still alive and bring them home. He succeeded, and the soldiers, including Barnes, were brought home to base.
Later in the movie when Captain America and his company were destroying Nazi ammunition bases, he and Barnes were fighting Nazi on a moving train and a huge hole is blown in the side of the car. Barnes was blown out of the train and although Rogers tried to get to him in time, he was unable to and Barnes ultimately fell to his (supposed) death.
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
He was selfless and gave everything for the life of others
After defeating Johann Schmidt, Red Skull, on a plane, Captain America made the choice to put the plane down over ice instead of letting the bombs on board detonate near their intended cities. He sacrificed a new relationship with Peggy Carter, whom he had fallen in love with. He gave up the happiness he could have had with a life with her in order to save millions. Captain America is frozen in ice for nearly 70 years and is asked by Nick Fury to join the Avengers Initiative.
Captain America lived by his morals and values and is a great example of what being a patriot means. He lived those values even when presented with opportunity and good reason not to. He put others before himself, no matter the cost to himself. Captain America is an exemplary hero in my book.
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About the Author
Chad Thompson, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing Christian Counseling in Tampa, Florida and telehealth services across Florida, Utah, Idaho, and South Carolina. With a unique background in cinema studies and over a decade in hospitality, Chad brings a distinctive storytelling approach to therapy that helps clients see their struggles and growth through new perspectives. He specializes in faith-based counseling that integrates clinical expertise with Christian values, offering services including anxiety therapy, depression treatment, and support for military families. Chad’s warm, authentic style creates a safe space where faith and mental health can work together toward healing. Learn more about Chad’s approach to Christian Counseling and cinema therapy at Calming Transformations Counseling.
All Photo Credits: Marvel Studios