Balinos, Leign Lylah Jane A.

03/16/24

BSBA 1.2B

The Morality of the Character Joker in the Movie "The Dark Knight"

The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan. It is a thrilling movie
that explores a clash between good and evil. One of the most important characters in this movie is the
character of Joker which was portrayed by the late Heath Ledger. Joker is a villain who causes chaos
and destruction in Gotham City. However, his actions and motives challenge my understanding of right
and wrong. The question is, is he purely evil, or is there a deeper meaning behind his actions?

Watching the movie made me feel Joker’s lack of empathy. The hospital scene where he
manipulates Harvey Dent, turning him into Two-Face was one of the pieces of evidence of it. He
convinces Dent that his actions are justified by flipping a coin, showing his indifference towards human
life and morality. Another scene is when he burns a massive pile of money, demonstrating his
complete disregard for material possessions. With these, it can be seen how he takes pleasure in
causing pain and suffering, he shows no mercy to a human life and treats it as trash. Which
completely disregard the value of life it also makes him unpredictable and dangerous, as he is willing
to go to extreme lengths to achieve his goals. This aspect shows Joker’s dark side and his immorality.
It is one of the reasons why it makes him a real villain in this movie. With these, it forces us, viewers,
to see the darker aspects of human nature and question the boundaries of morality.

In addition to this, while watching the movie I observed how Joker embodies chaos within
himself. He views society as a corrupt entity. His chaotic nature is his basis of actions. He is driven by
his desire to disrupt the peace and expose the fragility of its social structures. He does not care how
others view his acts. His actions are not driven by personal gain or a desire for power, but by his belief
in chaos as the basis of truth. He views himself as an agent of chaos, revealing the hypocrisy and
weakness underlying societal norms and morality. His chaotic nature is a mirror that reflects the
darkest aspects of society which leads me to question what are the real boundaries of morality and
how the consequences of a chaos from within results to chaos that other people experiences.

In connection with this is how Joker masterfully manipulates those people around him to
continue his own agenda. He views people’s weaknesses and uses it to prey on them. He openly
exploits other people’s weaknesses and uses it for his own gain. He creates scenarios that forces
individuals to make challenging decisions, aiming to prove that anyone can be driven to madness and
cruelty under certain circumstances.

His manipulation tactics can be seen his interactions with the citizens of Gotham. The boat
scene is a prime example, where the Joker gives two groups of people the power to blow up the other
boat. By presenting this as a moral dilemma, the Joker manipulates the people's fear and desperation,
testing their willingness to sacrifice innocent lives for his self-gain. Another example is his treatment
to his own henchman. He treats them as disposable things, using fear and intimidation to maintain
control over them. He instills a sense of loyalty and fear in his henchmen, ensuring their unwavering
commitment to his cause. This manipulation is evident in the scene where he kills one of his own
henchmen without hesitation.

His basis of morals does not follow any moral code, but he creates his own rules, which are
constantly changing and not predictable. It is supported by different scenes in the movie which was
done not for his own gain but to cause disruption to others.

Another insightful scene is his interactions with Batman, where he tries to convince him that
they are not so different after all. The Joker's conviction in his twisted ideology makes him a
formidable adversary for Batman, who struggles to uphold his moral code in the face of the Joker's
anarchic worldview.

In conclusion, Joker presents a unique perspective on morality. His lack of empathy, his own
chaos, manipulation, and how he vies morality leads me to question my own moral beliefs and how
society upholds this. The Joker help me to face the unsettling reality that morality is not fixed, but
rather a concept that can be twisted and influenced. His character serves as a powerful reminder of
how fragile societal structures can be and the immense destructive force of chaos. It also serves as a
reminder that morality is not always clear-cut, and that chaos and order are intricately connected.
Despite the horrifying nature of his actions, they reflect the unpredictable and chaotic nature of the
world we live in.