First of all, let us conclude the journey of the "surrogate father" figure. Now, we have already established the role of this surrogate father character, upon whom the origin story quite often hinges. The Surrogate Father is with the hero at a key point in the hero's growth, teaches a valuable lesson, which becomes a paradigm for both the character and the story itself and finally his death usually occasions a turning point and awakening of the hero. We also established that considering his role in the story helps us to appreciate, not only his own role, but it points directly toward the hero, whose rise is the very purpose of both his teaching and his sacrifice. So, the next step is to consider further the task and the goal of the hero.
So now, to take it to a new level, I would like to mention a final example, from a very different genre, but where I noticed this very same formula, namely the 2002 film version of The Count of Monte Cristo. Following the formula almost to a “T”, the character of Abbe Faria, intriguingly called in the movie simply ‘priest,’ plays the role of the surrogate father, who teaches the hero, Edmond Dantes, the lessons – and also equips him with resources – that enable him to become The Count of Monte Cristo, and then lays down his life so that Edmond can escape. This dialogue might be said to sum up his lesson: Priest: “Do not commit the crime for which you now serve the sentence. God said ‘Vengeance is Mine.’” Dantes: “I do not believe in God.” Priest: “It does not matter. He believes in you.” But, the reason this example is significant is that the hero’s long transformation, after overcoming a great deal of brokenness and obsession with revenge, finally reaches its culmination, when the hero himself becomes… a father. Now, naturally, in the book, not only is there a far more complex, intricate and interesting plot-line, but this point comes home differently. In the movie, Edmond’s fatherhood is due to a biological son, conceived out of wedlock. In the book, Edmond is never said to be the biological father – in fact, there is a great line in the early chapters, when another character describes Mercedes by saying that there is often not much difference between a fiancé and a mistress, and Edmond resolutely responds, “Not for me, sir.” Rather, after a long trial of overcoming his obsession with vengeance, Edmond becomes more a mentor and sort of surrogate father to her son, and another young character or two in the book.
It points us toward the ultimate goal of the hero: The hero, too, is to become a father. He is to be life-giving, like his (surrogate) father before him. An essential part of fatherhood is to be for the child, preparing them to father/mother a new generation... and so, the Ancient Story: Salvation History goes on. Each hero and each surrogate father is to recognize that they are a part of something so much bigger than themselves. And likewise, we must recognize that we are part of something so much bigger than ourselves. Sometimes this happens before he is really ready. Yet, how ready can one really expect to be, for so great a responsibility?
So, why is this a relevant starting point for the follow-up to the commentary on the different variations of the Spider-Man story and his central moral? Well, one of the most interesting aspects about the current MCU version of the character is the way he is introduced from the perspective of a VERY different mentor/quasi-father figure (who was one of the rising heroes of the original "Surrogate Fathers" reflection, shared last month): Tony Stark. He is quite an incomplete hero, to say the least. In fact, his most recent appearances in movies find him so broken by his own vices and scarred by past experiences, that he almost seems to play the part of the villain. But, it was always my hope to comment on how well the current version is doing in capturing that central moral. Well, it seems that the description of the moral - when Stark asks Parker why he's doing this and what's his M.O. - is as much a reflection on Stark as it is on Parker. I'll come back to that point.
It started back in Iron Man 3, that we began to see Stark shifting roles to mentor a representative of what could be the next generation of heroes. Admittedly, it was not the best example and he passed on at least as many of his vices as virtues. Furthermore, it began strictly as a relationship of utility - not unlike his enlisting Parker in Civil War. But, in both cases, we begin to see at least seeds of something more.
We also see his growing desire to influence the next generation in his granting funding indiscriminately to a host of young innovators at the beginning of Civil War. What I have found so fascinating about this odd little part in the movie - and I've always wondered about what the intentions of the film makers might have actually been - is how he is here practicing the exact same reckless and dangerous granting of power without accountability that he quickly begins criticizing the whole rest of the movie - and in a way that is perhaps more relevant to the real life societal concerns of moviegoers, at least the attentive and thoughtful ones anyway. Ironically, with Spider-Man's central moral - "With great power comes great responsibility" - in mind, he is granting great power with very little thought of responsibility. When you then consider how this reflects the central conflict that the movie focuses on, it becomes clear how the controversy over accountability and oversight is precisely a concern for the great responsibility that is called for by great power. In this way, this movie becomes the perfect time to first introduce a brand new incarnation of Spider-Man (I might have been happier if his role in the movie was a little greater, but alas) - because the story was essentially one grand reflection on his central moral, but from a quite different perspective.
But, then we come to the moment when that moral is finally expressed in Civil War. Admittedly, after I saw how Parker explains his motivation and gave it some thought, my initial reaction was one of disappointment. At that point, it really does fall short in the same way as the Andrew Garfield version (explained here). However, it benefits for a few reasons from its context. First of all, we are hearing it from the mouth of Parker himself (not from Uncle Ben or some other mentor figure, from whom he may have learned it), who is portrayed as being very young and still having a lot to learn. He is portrayed almost as a scared child. This is the lesson as he is currently able to process it and there is great potential for them to portray him learning the more complete lesson overtime. And since they are doing so - prudently - without rehashing his origin story for a third time, I think they could do this very satisfyingly without ever showing or telling what Uncle Ben may or may not have actually said to him (presuming this version does involve Uncle Ben, and frankly I would rather have had just a bit more indication that he did exist in the backstory and was important to Peter).
Even more significant, however, is the thoughtful look Stark gives in hearing him explain his moral, intentionally shown to us on camera. The inclusion of that description of Parker's own understanding of his moral is every bit as much about how it relates to Tony as it is about characterizing Parker. The problem is it makes sense from the perspective of the young Parker with so much still to learn. Unfortunately, his mentor here is a man whose failure to mature beyond this understanding is precisely what has become his downfall on multiple occasions.
So, what is the difference between the responsibility that power demands and a messiah complex? In one word: Narcissism. When we allow our guilt and shame over not doing enough to grow into fear and obsession, we make it all about us. We honestly start to think that the weight of saving the world is on our shoulders alone. Parker is not at that point yet. Perhaps seeing this young reflection of his own brokenness could enable Stark to move out of his own mess, as he seeks to rescue the youth from what has plagued him so much of his life.
Responsibility, on the other hand, invites us to recognize that we are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves: the Ancient Story of Salvation History, which has gone on for generation after generation, the True Hero of which has already won the Victory. When we recognize the power, the gifts, the talents that we have as making us a part of a larger design, we can put them at its service and write a fascinating and glorious new chapter in the Story. The idea of rebooting the character in the midst of a well-developed universe of heroes and learning from more experienced Avengers right out the gate enables him to demonstrate this sense of being a part something greater. Interestingly, his primary mentor is the one who still so desperately needs to learn those lessons himself. But, it creates very interesting possibilities for future installments, especially as Peter starts to interact more with the others.
It is also interesting to note how this younger portrayal of Parker shows him as consistently seeking the affirmation of a father-figure, for which he looks to Stark. We saw this first in Civil War. But, in Homecoming, we see it expressed mostly in the form of frustration with feeling sidelined, culminating in the moment when he finally starts yelling at Stark about never listening and not even being there... only to learn that he is indeed there and has been listening. This whole interaction leads to a lesson of how humility is a necessary foundation for establishing integrity: "If you're nothing without the suit, then you shouldn't have it!" This is a hopeful moment, as we begin to see Stark passing on to young Parker the lessons he has been learning the hard way. This enables Parker to finally learn that lesson of humility, which is not the same as his original, "classic" moral, but is an important element of it. Responsibility grows out of integrity, which grows out of humility. All three require realizing it's not all about us.
So, in summary, those of us who are fans of the 90's Spider-Man and its early 2000's film adaptations, who see the value in having his classic moral explicitly spelled out will have to simply reconcile with a portrayal of Spider-Man that includes little to no reference to Uncle Ben. And that is certainly a loss. However, there is still a lot of good that can come, and is coming from watching a younger Parker gradually learn the lessons that will help him to become the hero he ought to be, as he is thrust into an existing world of heroes. And we are given an interesting dynamic by the fact that they have chosen to substitute in the character the MCU has put perhaps the most effort into characterizing as his surrogate father figure. And because this broken father figure is the paradigm for ongoing conversion and his struggles so well parallel some of the lessons Parker needs to learn, the Tom Holland Spider-Man offers us a very interesting unfolding of his growth. Perhaps the most important line in the movie summarizes this dynamic. When Parker and Stark are arguing on the rooftop, Parker tells him, "I just wanted to be like you," and Stark quite fittingly replies, "And I wanted you to be better." When we find ourselves in a position to influence others and potentially impact the person they grow to become, we must simply, humbly acknowledge our brokenness, be willing to pass on those lessons we continue to learn the hard way and even to hope for them a greater good than we have yet achieved on our own. We must will their good, even over our own. In short, we must love.
