redblueamerica.com

I am very happy that others have decided to speak on this subject when I had this very thought when I actually saw the Dark Knight in theaters.  My conclusion is somewhat different though.

I enjoyed the movie very much.  The movie was a symbolic symbol of existentialism all around.  The Joker character in this movie was more than just an insane maniac.  His symbolism is that of a liar, tempter, and "force of nature."  In short, he symbolized the devil incarnate.  If the Joker symbolized the Devil then the Batman character symbolized the Christ figure.  In fact, in the very end the Batman character sacrifices his own dignity and self to protect the fallen DA, Harvey Dent.  He is persecuted and hunted down for the sake of the city he loves so much.  He battles the Joker and is labeled by the Joker himself as "incorruptible."  Symbolism I feel escaped a lot of moviegoers who just enjoyed the sick antics of the Joker character more than the message behind such heinous acts. 

The story is dark because it seeks to deal with the issues of darkness inherent in the human condition.  A hero becomes a martyr, but isn't that how real life is?  Another new and interesting addition to the action film was the way Harvey Dent is portayed.  His symbolism is a bit more subtle but for any Christian it becomes evident by the end of the movie. 

Harvey Dent is described as a "white knight."  He is fearless and seemingly incorruptible.  He is described by all the other characters as "the best of us."  And it is this character that the Joker specifically targets to hurt.  He called Dent his "ace up his sleave."  Dent was morally destroyed and set loose by the Joker...his attempt at trying to create chaos and disorder.  No one, the Joker wanted to show, was incorruptible and good....not even Gotham's white knight.  Dent ends up killing five people in his search for justice and revenge.  He is destroyed emotionally and that was the Joker's plan. Dent reminds me of Job from the Bible.  Afterall, it was God who praised Job and no one could compare to Job as a good and righteous man....it was the Devil who sought to destroy his life and body to prove a point.  All men will curse God, or Good in general, if pushed far enough.  Job faltered a lot and Dent fell through completely. 

In the end it is the christ figure who saves Dent and all of Gotham through his own sacrifice.  Batman takes the blame for the murders and becomes a hunted hero. 

The movie was dark but the symbolism beautiful.  I think though too many people cheered for what was essentially the bad guy in the movie, the Joker.  The very sickness and twisted morality of the character is what appeals to a lot of people.  Deep down I think the movie tries to deal with the cosmic symbols of martyrdom, evil, good, and corruption.  Too many people I fear admire the power of evil over good. 

I am sure there are many who would argue that this is a kiddy movie.  All the other Batman movies before this franchise were clownish and ridiculous.  The themes, if any, were shallow, but this movie speaks to what it really means to be evil.  The potential for evil is within us all, just like the potential for good, even to the point of martyrdom, is also within us all.  In the end could any of us withstand the onslaught of such an evil character like the Joker and still remain incorruptible?  I like to hope that there are many in this great nation who would rather die than commit evil acts.

Live free or die....those words are very American.  It means there is no middle ground.  Martyrdom before slavery, death before dishonor, and good even if it means dying for the righteous cause.  I like to believe that there are still many Americans who live by this code.  The Batman's code.