Bucky Barnes has been a fan-favorite character amongst fans for many years, but up until now, he’s been an antagonist or a side character. Fans are excited as his story unfolds in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. But even without including the Disney+ show, there are many things fans can learn from the character based on his story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's films.
Bucky Barnes has had one of the more tragic narrative arcs as he was used by HYDRA as a weapon after enduring brainwashing and pain. Then, after finally breaking free of their control, he ends up being snapped by Thanos. Because of this, he has a lot of lessons to teach about perseverance.
It’s okay to ask others for help
After Bucky leaves Steve, he doesn’t really want to be found by anyone. He seems to carry a lot of guilt and shame over what HYDRA made him do, so he doesn’t even let Steve help him.
Trying to stay out of the way to keep people safe ends up backfiring, so it’s a great reminder that it’s all right to help others for help. This is typically true after going through something very difficult or traumatic.
There’s a time to fight and a time for peace
Bucky is someone who has had to fight to protect others many times in his life. He was a soldier in World War II, and he was always a good person. After HYDRA used him, he wanted to find peace away from fighting for a while. But, in Infinity War, he had to take up weapons again.
This goes to show that there are times to fight, but there are also moments where it’s okay to back away from the fray and take care of yourself.
Your loved ones will be there to help you
For Bucky, and for many actual people, it can be hard to believe that others will help them. If they’ve been through something really difficult or upsetting, it can be easy to draw inward and not look for people around them. When Bucky reaches out, his true healing begins.
While it’s not always easy, Bucky can help fans see that it’s okay to trust the people they love.
How to look out for others
While Bucky is someone who is often in need of saving, he’s not always in distress. He is also willing to protect and look out for others. This is especially true when it comes to his relationship with Steve.
When they were young, Bucky was always looking out for Steve and protecting him from bullies. Bucky shows everyone how to have their friends’ backs and them.
Friendships are worth investing in
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans don’t really see or hear anything about Bucky Barnes' family. However, they do see a lot about his friendship with Steve.
Friendships can be just as if not more important than relationships with family and Bucky shows that. If it wasn’t for Bucky’s close relationship with Steve, Bucky would never have broken free of HYDRA’s brainwashing and control. Fans are looking forward to seeing how his friendships, especially with Sam, continue to evolve.
Taking time to heal is essential
In the MCU, it’s not often that characters get a chance to breathe and recover from what they’ve been through. However, Bucky went through so many decades of trauma that there was no real way for him to function without getting some healing first. He needed physical and mental recovery, and luckily, T’Challa and Shuri were able to offer him that in Wakanda.
While fans aren’t going to have a technologically advanced place where they are under the protection of royalty to go to heal, they can all make time for rest and recovery in their own lives.
Don’t forget your mental health
After Bucky breaks through the mind control at the end of Captain: America: The Winter Soldier, he leaves Steve after rescuing him from the Potomac. Bucky goes on the run, and while he clearly is trying to escape being found, he also doesn’t know how to find help or recover from what he’s been through.
When he finally is able to find some refuge in Wakanda, it helps him a lot. This is a great reminder to focus on mental health when necessary.
Loyalty and love can overcome a lot of hardships
No matter who someone is, they're going to have difficult things happen in their life. Thankfully, most people are never going to even come close to enduring the things that Bucky does.
However, in their own struggles, it’s important to that love can be inspiring and healing. For Bucky, this means letting people like Steve and Sam into his life.
You’re more than your worst mistakes
Bucky is someone who has done a lot of horrible things, but, in his situation, he was mind-controlled in a way that only applies to comic book characters. So, while he’s not to blame for his actions, he does still feel guilty for them.
Despite all of this, he seems to find a way to work past that. If Bucky can forgive himself, others can forgive themselves too.
Lead With Kindness
The overall biggest life lesson to be learned from Bucky Barnes is one of kindness. Bucky goes through some intense hardship, and he also loses almost every person he’s ever been close to including family and close friends, but despite this, what he wants most is to do good.
Fans ire Bucky for this journey and the effort and kindness he gives to the world and those closest to him.