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Morality and Justice in Roger Rabbit

The document provides an analysis of the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It discusses how the film depicts the hard-boiled detective genre of the 1920s, with its portrayal of an urban Los Angeles setting contrasted with animated cartoon characters. The protagonist Eddie Valiant seeks justice after his brother is killed by a cartoon character, reflecting the moral issues and increased crime of the Great Depression era. While initially introduced as bringing cartoons to justice, the villain Judge Doom is revealed to actually want to destroy the cartoon world, representing corruption overcome by Eddie's righteousness when he kills Doom.

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193 views1 page

Morality and Justice in Roger Rabbit

The document provides an analysis of the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It discusses how the film depicts the hard-boiled detective genre of the 1920s, with its portrayal of an urban Los Angeles setting contrasted with animated cartoon characters. The protagonist Eddie Valiant seeks justice after his brother is killed by a cartoon character, reflecting the moral issues and increased crime of the Great Depression era. While initially introduced as bringing cartoons to justice, the villain Judge Doom is revealed to actually want to destroy the cartoon world, representing corruption overcome by Eddie's righteousness when he kills Doom.

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Zoe
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Who Framed Roger Rabbit (The Hard-

Boiled Detective)
Consider the time period the text was written, how did society’s understanding of morality and
justice transfer into the construction of the novel?

The Hard-Boiled crime fiction genre in the 1920’s, represents an urban metropolis lifestyle,
associated with drugs and murder. The modern day setting of Roger Rabbit is contrasted with the
cartoon/animations of the characters, portraying the whole idea of morality through good and evil.
The L.A. Hollywood setting is emphasised through the dark and stingy alleyways, bringing about the
idea of life within the lower-class society. In comparison to the perceived immortality of the
wealthier. This is recognised throughout the scene where Valiant aboard the bus, evoking
urbanisation and industrialisation. Therefore, Valliant’s characterisation is relatable due to the
altered environment his has grown up in, leading the audience to believe his behaviour is similar to
Poiriots.

The Great Depression, where rise in illegal activity increased crime and immoral actions is further
addressed. The private detective and protagonist, Eddie Valiant, used to work alongside his brother
and partner Teddy, but was killed by a toon. This event influenced the audience to feel empathy for
Valiant, further encouraging his determination to solve crimes. His physically violent behaviour is
motivated through the fact that he believes its morally wrong to frame an innocent man. Therefore,
as and clearing Roger’s name would be Valliant’s sense of justice. However, this significant loss
brought about Eddie’s addiction to drinking, this notion is indicated in the scene where he’s visiting a
bar and drinking alcohol, additionally adhering to the Hard-Boiled genre.

Similarly, the victim, portrayed by Judge Doom, is introduced as the figure who brings the toons to
justice; however, this is quickly re-interpreted as the audience discover his aim is to destroy toon
town and build a freeway instead. His death also correlates with Eddie’s righteousness through
killing him, evoking a sense of morality and how the corruption portrays good overcoming evil. This
is further adhered to as Eddie seeks revenge due to Teddy’s death, which exemplifies justice, as
Judge Doom has been served with his punishment.

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