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The Joker In The Dark Knight

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Character Analysis The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, depicts Gotham and its citizens defending their city from a malicious mastermind, the Joker. Crime in Gotham virtually disappeared thanks to the efforts of Lieutenant Gordon, District Attorney Harvey Dent, and Batman. The Joker aspires to corrupt the city by testing its citizens’ integrity and moral principles. A clever criminal mind, the Joker develops and alters schemes quickly to create mayhem throughout the streets of Gotham. The chaos the Joker creates comes across as arbitrary and random to the viewer, however, he surprises the audience with his meticulous planning. He knows that chaos will incite terror among the citizens of Gotham and will test their ethical boundaries. Easily distinguishable by his scars and distinctive makeup, the Joker draws attention to himself and brings his diabolical intentions to light. He uses the story of his scars to intimidate his victims with the infamous line, “want to know how I got these scars?” (Nolan) His stories change with each new victim, creating an aura of mystery around their origin. He, then, uses cunning …show more content…

The only realties in life, according to the Joker, involve chaos, anarchy, and disorder. In the hospital, Harvey Dent is persuaded by the Joker that he needs to live his life without rules. The Joker, with a crazed look on his face, tells Dent, “do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it. You know? I just do things. The mob has plans. The cops have plans. Gordon's got plans. You know, they're schemers. Schemers trying to control their little worlds. I'm not a schemer. I try to show the schemers...how pathetic their attempts to control things really are” (Nolan). In essence, the Joker simply wants to disrupt what he views as a world filled with

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