Existentialism in the Dark Knight
Existentialism in The Dark Knight
By: Cassidy Bannan
Teacher: Mrs.Conlon
Course Code: ENG4U
Due Date: March 8, 2012 “When you take charge of your life, there is no longer need to ask permission of other people or society at large. When you ask permission, you give someone veto power over your life”. The 2008 film, The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, demonstrates the actions and choices being made while still being true to one self. The film represents one’s interior motives and how it inevitably reflects ones true self which is evident through their actions. Through the characters Batman, Joker and Two-Face in The Dark Knight they live life all according to their own perceptions. Through their own perceptions and choices is where they are still remaining true to their selves. Batman is driven to do such heroic actions due to his own emotional setback as a child when his parents were killed by a petty mugger. With this at mind, Batman’s attitude towards the people that appreciate him and his actions are not reciprocated in the same way as his adoring fans’ gratitude towards him. Batman’s viewpoint in life is misery. From Batman’s past it gives him the determined attitude on life of taking out the criminals in Gotham. When Batman was about to go save another crime act, fans were imitating him as he caught the eye of these fans he pushed and yelled “I don’t need your help!” This goes to show that Batman deals with his problems on his own which he believes is being true to his own self. Being a hero is ironic to the fact that he doesn’t reinforce the rules but instead, breaks through them by simply concentrating on putting down the felons. Batman continues to believe putting away criminals, is a way of being true to his self and parents as they died because once of a criminals poor action and choice. Joker is the opposite of the order Batman has in his life, he likes chaos and believes life is a game. The Joker doesn’t see the need for rules
By: Cassidy Bannan
Teacher: Mrs.Conlon
Course Code: ENG4U
Due Date: March 8, 2012 “When you take charge of your life, there is no longer need to ask permission of other people or society at large. When you ask permission, you give someone veto power over your life”. The 2008 film, The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, demonstrates the actions and choices being made while still being true to one self. The film represents one’s interior motives and how it inevitably reflects ones true self which is evident through their actions. Through the characters Batman, Joker and Two-Face in The Dark Knight they live life all according to their own perceptions. Through their own perceptions and choices is where they are still remaining true to their selves. Batman is driven to do such heroic actions due to his own emotional setback as a child when his parents were killed by a petty mugger. With this at mind, Batman’s attitude towards the people that appreciate him and his actions are not reciprocated in the same way as his adoring fans’ gratitude towards him. Batman’s viewpoint in life is misery. From Batman’s past it gives him the determined attitude on life of taking out the criminals in Gotham. When Batman was about to go save another crime act, fans were imitating him as he caught the eye of these fans he pushed and yelled “I don’t need your help!” This goes to show that Batman deals with his problems on his own which he believes is being true to his own self. Being a hero is ironic to the fact that he doesn’t reinforce the rules but instead, breaks through them by simply concentrating on putting down the felons. Batman continues to believe putting away criminals, is a way of being true to his self and parents as they died because once of a criminals poor action and choice. Joker is the opposite of the order Batman has in his life, he likes chaos and believes life is a game. The Joker doesn’t see the need for rules