Even though there are superheroes existent in the Watchmen universe, a majority are human and thus exhibit routine human characteristics. They frequently “ponder what sort of person would put on fancy dress and punch muggers every evening,” but when they do themselves, their flaws shine though the costume, causing them to commit questionable actions (Barber). They are not perfect heroes, exposed by the fact that Moore created them as shadows of well-known superheroes like Batman, Superman, and Iron Man (Barber). Furthermore, there are no clear protagonists or antagonists because each character battles their own morality, adding to the human factor of the novel (Wu). Hence, humanity’s worth can be distinguished through an analysis of the morals …show more content…
Compared to the caped crusader, Rorschach poses a violent set of morals that separates him from his colleagues; he sees the world as a blank slate that renders him to believe that there is no set inherent standard of morals, but rather the ones that people impose upon themselves (Wu). His morals align with his troublesome past of being tormented by his mother, who was a prostitute, and by children that teased him, which leads him to see the world in a black and white fashion, as his face mask displays. The history behind the mask also aligns with his morals; as revealed through his psychological evaluation by Dr. Malcolm Long, it was originally a dress for a woman named Kitty Genovese, but she was raped and murdered (Moore and Gibbons Ch. VI, 10). Long questions Rorschach on whether “what happened to Kitty Genovese [is] really proof that the whole of mankind is rotten” and further evaluates that Rorschach has been “conditioned with a negative world view [because] [t]here are good people too…” (Moore and Gibbons, Ch. VI, 11). This deduction additionally exposes Kovacs’ black and white viewpoint because he concludes that “life is inherently meaningless” (Wu). Thus, there are no good people in the world, but rather those like Long who are selfish and want to “get [their] name in the journals” (Moore and Gibbons, Ch. VI, 11). In this way, Rorschach’s point of view supports the idea …show more content…
In the novel, he is introduced as the smartest man alive, much like Iron Man in the Marvel Universe (Barber). His morals lie on the basis of long-term goals rather than short-term, which explains his ease with decimating half of the population of New York in order to supposedly save humanity (Wu). Ozymandias claims that he has “struggled across the back of murdered innocents to save humanity…but someone had to take the weight of that awful, necessary crime,” that someone being himself (Moore and Gibbons, Ch. XII, 27). He feels that for mankind to advance, there must be a significant cost that resets the cycle of humanity, essentially allowing him to create a kingdom in homage to his namesakes: Alexander the Great and Ramses II. In this twisted mindset, he argues that humanity is worth saving, but his justifications are selfish; the only reason he makes such an effort is because he wants to feel that his existence in the world is valuable (Wu). After he drops the bomb on New York he asks Doctor Manhattan “I did the right thing, didn’t I?” (Moore and Gibbons, Ch. XII, 27), suggesting that he cannot justify his actions, but rather is content with the idea that he has made a difference (Wu). In this way, Veidt examples humanity’s self-indulgence; although we do not employ such drastic efforts to save ourselves, the exertions are done in vain. Therefore,
All graphic novels are structured to provide few words so the reader can follow the story through the illustrations. The comic panels are drawn to be extremely vivid and revealing. In Watchmen, a story based in a Cold War America, political symbolism is everything. Alan Moore strategically places numerous clues for the reader throughout the story to develop and reveal crucial components of the character’s lives, the setting, and the theme of the novel.
Before looking at the concept of the ends justifying the means, it is important to understand just how different the characters of Rorschach and Ozymandias are from each other. Rorschach is strongly right wing, even to the point of fascism. He believes that "the whole world stands on the brink, starring down into bloody hell, all the liberals and intellectuals and smooth-talkers"(Volume 1 page 1) Rorschach is also an ardent subscriber to the New Frontiersman, a right-wing conspiracy magazine. Ozymandias is an extremely rich philanthropist, who once gave his entire fortune to charity. Ozymandias was the first of all the super heroes to go public, two years before heroes were required to unmask themselves by law. Rorschach never went public, choosing to live as an outlaw rather than give up his identity. Ozymandias is considered by many to be the most handsome man in the world, while Rorschach is an ugly man who does not even bathe on a regular basis. Ozymandias runs an international conglomerate, while Rorschach does not have enough money to pay his rent. These differences present the reader with two extremely different characters, their only similarities being their staunch belief that the ends justify the means.
Alan Moore’s “Watchmen” focuses on several characters throughout the novel making the idea of a main character moot. However, one character can be described as the most influential to the plot of the graphic novel. Rorschach can be seen as such due to the fact that he narrates a large portion of the novel, and his heroic code that he follows. Not only does he influence the plot by those two reasons, but also by uniting the characters after a long silence. The Comedian is the only character that almost perfectly fits as the character with the most influence on the plot of “Watchmen.” The death of his character allows for the plot to be set in motion. He has not only has he shaped every other character in the novel, but the symbol that represents his character can be found throughout the graphic novel. Although Rorschach can be interpreted as the most influential character of “Watchmen,” The Comedian influenced more aspects of the plot than any other character of the graphic novel.
Watchmen is not just a graphic novel, but also a unique representation of American idealism as expressed through character image. Although the characters are portrayed as "superheroes," each is psychologically complex in that they become symbols for the flaws of American culture. Together, the characters of Watchmen reflect an unflattering image of American identity. We sacrifice morals to defend principles, rather than saving people. We sacrifice ourselves for commercial gain and for the fame that comes from the worship of strangers.
Robert Ross’ whole life he grew up in a household where they did what was expected of them, rather than what was right. The type of people that Findley place in Robert’s life is what molds him into the type of character he becomes. Timothy Findley manipulates what a hero is supposed to be, by making Robert Ross a distorted kind of hero. Robert Ross exemplifies anti-heroism throughout the text because of his need to be a savior but inability to do so, his morals and his connection with animals.
A tragic hero is defined as a person of high social rank, who has a tragic flaw or flaws that lead to their downfall. These heroes’ downfalls are usually either complete ruin or death. Tragic heroes face their downfall with courage and dignity. While many characters in Julius Caesar could fit these conditions, the person who fits the role of a tragic hero the best is Marcus Brutus. Brutus develops into a tragic hero throughout the play, and this is shown though his qualifications of a tragic hero, his high status, his tragic flaws, and his courage in the face of his death.
Heroes are not always credited for their honesty and righteousness. This is the view towards society that Robert Cormier exhibits in the novel ¡§I am the Cheese¡¨, where the individual is punished for standing up to himself. In this society, the non-valiant are rewarded for their ignorance and compliance, narrated through the characters of Grey and Whipper. Moreover, Robert Cormier portrays this society to be void of truth and justice. This is seen through exploring the innocence behind Adam¡¦s parents¡¦ suffering and death. Nevertheless, the author holds reserve for truth and justice when Adam tries to complete the puzzle of his past.
Everyone dreams of being a hero however the path is narrow. The mantle of responsibility is important aspects and the presence of the heroic traits must be shown in some form. However, there will always be outliers and deemed delusional who attempt to be heroes. In Watchmen, Moore creates an omnipotent hero who lacks humanity in the portrayal of the Dr. Manhattan as a psychopathic anti-hero.
is the understanding of this "rich" character. In this study I will try to analyze some of his traits (invisibility-lack of indentity , blindness) and his journey from idealism to a grim realism about the racism that confronts him in the story.
Through the character Rorshach, The Watchmen explores the issues of nature verses nurture for him. Moore adds that a super hero, can be a psychological argument. A super hero is neither born nor shaped by environment, it is the creation of an alter ego to suppress childhood conflicting inner issues. Rorshach dealt with issues as a young child that rationalized in his mind to hide behind a costume and a mask in order to live.
Abstract: Scott’s Ivanhoe reveals a conflict between our innate concept of justice as personal justice and the impersonal justice which is imposed on us by the modern nation-state. This conflict causes the split between the proper hero, who affirms the order of impersonal justice, and the dark hero, who acts according to personal justice, in Scott’s work.
Dietrich, B.D. “The human stain: chaos and the rage for order in Watchmen”. Extrapolation 50.1
In the novel Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, interprets the achievement of order and law through the use of power and violence by superheroes. This novel consists a total of seven different characters to demonstrate how superheroes obtain peace in society through the use of violence. The writer portrays the plot in different characters’ perspectives by guiding readers in their point of view. This motivation also assists readers to examine the loneliness and the feeling of isolation during Dr. Jonathan Osterman, Walter Joseph Kovacs and Laurie Juspeczky’s life experiences.
Vigilantism is where individuals take the law into their hands to maintain justice. Which is a controversial subject that can be seen either in a positive or negative perspective in our society. Normally, in a superhero genre we believe it is best if the superheroes take the law into their hands to maintain justice. They tend to make society feel safe and protected. Whereas, Watchmen the superheroes are more imperfect and more humanlike. They either protect for a better place or to gain fame; others rape, kill innocent people and have a changed perspective of their world. Whether it being good or bad.
The Holocaust is often considered one of the darkest and most heinous periods in modern history, however there are numerous accounts of heroism and selfless charity to emerge from the ashes. Despite the Nazi regime’s stranglehold on European affairs during a large part of the second world war, their radical and racially charged agenda was not universally accepted amongst German citizens and Nazi officials. The fear of strict punishment at the hands of the SS squashed popular outcry over the atrocities, but it did not stop the heroic acts of a few compassionate and unassuming individuals. One such hero is Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who spearheaded an effort to protect his Jewish factory workers from the uncertain fate of the the Jewish ghettos and concentration camps. When asked about his motives Schindler reported, "I just couldn't stand by and see people destroyed. I did what I could, what I had to do, what my conscience told me I must do" (Schindler). Though Schindler was himself a registered member of the Nazi party he would would ultimately be responsible for saving the lives of some twelve hundred Jews by wars end. However, the original twelve hundred are merely a portion of Schindler’s lasting impact and the real significance is in the “nearly 7,000 living descendants of Schindlerjuden (Schindler’s Jews)” (Sandweiss). Thus, Schindler’s legacy was cemented in his defiance and in his preservation of future generations of Jews around the world.