The Dark Knight Essay Reflection

Today in class I wrote an essay on the monstrous nature of the Joker from The Dark Knight directed by Christopher Nolan. I thought with my preparation, it was a relatively good essay, but due to my previous failure at an essay, I didn't know what to think of my work. I thought it was pretty good in the sense that I linked all my points to the term "forfeited humanity" which was the main point of my essay. The Joker was someone who had abdicated his humanity by destroying the pillars that support society, like the late Commissioner Loeb. Thus he fits into Stephen Asma's definition of monster, as proposed in his book On Monsters. Another thing is the Joker fits into the category of societal monster, which basically terrorises society and destroys it. In this case, the Joker is destroying society to prove that everyone is messed up as he is, especially when society is ruled by nothing. Finally, the Joker is a monster because he is awakening something that should be left alone, which is the chaos-infested society that comes with an anarchic outlook. The Joker doesn't fit under Edith Hamilton's definition of monster, as put forth in her book Mythology, because the Joker isn't simply an obstacle for the hero to overcome and attain glory. Batman does not gain anything from defeating the Joker. Joseph Campbell's definition of monster also does not fit the Joker because, as Campbell says in The Power of Myth, the monster is also a "dragon" the hero must defeat to obtain the "dragon's hoard". But again, Batman does not gain anything by defeating the Joker, besides a transformation of consciousness. Thus, the Joker only fits into Asma's definition of monster, which is "someone who, by their own horrific actions, abdicated their humanity."

From the research process and watching the film, I have come to learn a lot about archetypes, the true themes and meanings at work behind the film, and perhaps most of all, the true intentions and nature of the Joker. I also learned more about the term monster and now I know what the term actually means, which will help me judge if the person is actually a monster or not. In addition, I have learned the value of perspectives, and that looking at something in a different perspective can sometimes completely change the entire situation. Thus, to be able to have a valid solution to a problem or dilemma, I learned that you must take into account the many different perspectives. In this case, the two main perspectives was that of the Joker, who claims he is not a monster, and my claim that he is a monster. If I could do the essay again, I think I would link my points to some kind of outside connection that was related to the Joker in some way, for example, a different monster in a different movie that was similar to the Joker. It was truly an eye-opening experience for me, and I will never look at the Joker in the same way ever again.