"The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). 30 Mar. 2009 <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043456/>.
"Deism Defined, Welcome to Deism, Deist Glossary and Frequently Asked." Welcome To The Deism Site! 29 Mar. 2009 <http://www.deism.com/deism_defined.htm>.
"Existential Primer: Home Page." Tameri Guide for Writers: Index Page. 29 Mar. 2009 <http://www.tameri.com/csw/exist/>.
"48. Gunga Din. Rudyard Kipling. Modern British Poetry." Bartleby.com: Great Books Online -- Encyclopedia, Dictionary, Thesaurus and hundreds more. 29 Mar. 2009 <http://www.bartleby.com/103/48.html>.
"Moloch." Encyclopedia Mythica: mythology, folklore, and religion. 29 Mar. 2009 <http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/moloch.html>.
"Pallas Athena." Oracle ThinkQuest Library. 29 Mar. 2009 <http://library.thinkquest.org/17709/people/athena.htm>.
"The Rorschach Test." SPARC - Divorce and Custody Help. 29 Mar. 2009 <http://deltabravo.net/custody/rorschach.php>.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Utopia: The Day the Earth Stood Still
"UTOPIA
The day the earth stood still." (Moore 13, Chapter 10, on sign on panel 9.)
"The Day the Earth Stood Still" is a sci-fi film made in 1951, evidently being shown here at the "Utopia" theater. The film is about an alien that comes to Earth bearing a message during World War II: Earth must stop its fighting and destructive behavior, or be destroyed itself. Alan Moore is saying something by placing this poster on a sign that says "Utopia" above it: he says that this is a message we actually need to hear if we are to create any kind of Utopia or happy community here on earth or in the universe: we must stop fighting. However, this sign also has another meaning. Like Veidt's logic, the aliens in the movie think that it would be for the good and well-being of all the universe if Earth was eliminated. Killing the inhabitants of earth, while being a loss, would save many more lives. This is a theme throughout the book, as it is mentioned here, in mentions of atomic bombs (like the one dropped on Hiroshima), the possibility of nuclear war, and Veidt's plan, in which he sacrifices New York City to create world peace and save the rest of the world. This sign says that this is the right way for things to be done, and this kind of sacrifice is the only way to create a true Utopia.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043456/
The day the earth stood still." (Moore 13, Chapter 10, on sign on panel 9.)
"The Day the Earth Stood Still" is a sci-fi film made in 1951, evidently being shown here at the "Utopia" theater. The film is about an alien that comes to Earth bearing a message during World War II: Earth must stop its fighting and destructive behavior, or be destroyed itself. Alan Moore is saying something by placing this poster on a sign that says "Utopia" above it: he says that this is a message we actually need to hear if we are to create any kind of Utopia or happy community here on earth or in the universe: we must stop fighting. However, this sign also has another meaning. Like Veidt's logic, the aliens in the movie think that it would be for the good and well-being of all the universe if Earth was eliminated. Killing the inhabitants of earth, while being a loss, would save many more lives. This is a theme throughout the book, as it is mentioned here, in mentions of atomic bombs (like the one dropped on Hiroshima), the possibility of nuclear war, and Veidt's plan, in which he sacrifices New York City to create world peace and save the rest of the world. This sign says that this is the right way for things to be done, and this kind of sacrifice is the only way to create a true Utopia.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043456/
Jung
"'As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being.'--C.G. Jung, MEMORIES, DREAMS, REFLECTIONS." (Moore 28, Chapter 9).
This quote from Jung is another that well exemplifies the existential school of thought shown in the character Rorschach as well as throughout the Watchmen. Existentialism says that we are what we think we are; reality is what we believe it to be and is defined by the choices we make. The world around us is, consequently, chaotic and irrational; everyone making their own choices based on what they view to be right. We must, however, stay with our own path, our own reality. This quote says just that; the world and our lives, our "mere being," is irrational, without any objective, concrete answers. We must make it become rational by placing our own subjective answers upon it. The 1985 of The Watchmen is chaotic, with crime running rampant and masked vigilantes mistakenly trying to fix it. But they are trying to fix it, each in his or her own way, because that is what they see as right; that is their "light of meaning" in their "darkness of mere being."
This quote from Jung is another that well exemplifies the existential school of thought shown in the character Rorschach as well as throughout the Watchmen. Existentialism says that we are what we think we are; reality is what we believe it to be and is defined by the choices we make. The world around us is, consequently, chaotic and irrational; everyone making their own choices based on what they view to be right. We must, however, stay with our own path, our own reality. This quote says just that; the world and our lives, our "mere being," is irrational, without any objective, concrete answers. We must make it become rational by placing our own subjective answers upon it. The 1985 of The Watchmen is chaotic, with crime running rampant and masked vigilantes mistakenly trying to fix it. But they are trying to fix it, each in his or her own way, because that is what they see as right; that is their "light of meaning" in their "darkness of mere being."
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Pallas Athene
"...The bird whose image the Greeks carved into their coins, sitting patiently at the ear of the Goddess Pallas Athene, silently sharing her immortal wisdom...Perhaps when considering the manner in which it grips its branch, with two toes in front and the reversible outer toe clutching from behind, we should allow ourselves to pause of a moment, and acknowledge that these same claws must once have drawn blood from the shoulder of Pallas." (Moore, segment from "Blood from the Shoulder of Pallas," end of Chapter 7).
Pallas Athene (or Pallas, or Pallas Athena) as the Greek goddess of war. She was smart and strong, the daughter of Zeus, and educated not only in war but in peacemaking. This is like Veidt, who creates destruction (like war) in order to create peace. This is taken from a piece by Dan Dreiberg, or Nite Owl. Dan, and subsequently Alan Moore, discusses how an owl, the Carine noctua, to be specific, who was Pallas' sidekick, could "draw blood from [her] shoulder." I believe they are saying by this that war is not an immovable force, it can be changed and stopped, as Veidt stops it.
http://library.thinkquest.org/17709/people/athena.htm
Pallas Athene (or Pallas, or Pallas Athena) as the Greek goddess of war. She was smart and strong, the daughter of Zeus, and educated not only in war but in peacemaking. This is like Veidt, who creates destruction (like war) in order to create peace. This is taken from a piece by Dan Dreiberg, or Nite Owl. Dan, and subsequently Alan Moore, discusses how an owl, the Carine noctua, to be specific, who was Pallas' sidekick, could "draw blood from [her] shoulder." I believe they are saying by this that war is not an immovable force, it can be changed and stopped, as Veidt stops it.
http://library.thinkquest.org/17709/people/athena.htm
Triangles
Triangles throughout the book. Buddha inside a triangle, page 7, Chapter 5, and first panel, next page.
The triangle shows up many times in the novel, on posters, trucks, and buildings. Veidt, for examples, owns Pyramid, a company that Rorschach and Dan investigate. The triangle is endless, never ending, going around and around on three sides forever. However, if it is made into a pyramid, or placed so that one point is up, there is a definite tip, something higher than the rest. It can be narrowed down until only one piece remains at the top, the highest piece. Veidt has probably chosen this for his symbol because he loves power, as well as the pyramid's associations with the pharaohs of Egypt. On page 7, a triangle is shown over an image of Buddha. Buddha is a type of God, although an uncontrolling one, like Dr. Manhattan. But, although he cannot change the world in any way, he still has power, can still be at the top of this pyramid of humans.
The triangle shows up many times in the novel, on posters, trucks, and buildings. Veidt, for examples, owns Pyramid, a company that Rorschach and Dan investigate. The triangle is endless, never ending, going around and around on three sides forever. However, if it is made into a pyramid, or placed so that one point is up, there is a definite tip, something higher than the rest. It can be narrowed down until only one piece remains at the top, the highest piece. Veidt has probably chosen this for his symbol because he loves power, as well as the pyramid's associations with the pharaohs of Egypt. On page 7, a triangle is shown over an image of Buddha. Buddha is a type of God, although an uncontrolling one, like Dr. Manhattan. But, although he cannot change the world in any way, he still has power, can still be at the top of this pyramid of humans.
Gunga Din(er)
Chapter 1, Page 4--First "Gunga Diner" sign.
"Gunga Din" is a poem by Rudyard Kipling, written in 1892. The poem is about a "bhisti," or water-carrier, who saves the narrator's life and is then killed himself. Sacrifice is a huge theme in The Watchmen. The atomic bomb is discussed many times, and, as my last post shows, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima is shown as being a good thing because it saved many more lives than the ones it killed. Veidt thinks this same way, that killing many New Yorkers will save the country and world from entering a World War that would kill more, and will help them to achieve world peace. Moloch is a word for sacrifice as well as a character in the novel. Watchmen poses moral questions about sacrifice in order to save better things. This poem helps that; although, in "Gunga Din," nothing better is saved by Gunga Din's death. The famous last line of the poem, spoken by the man who was saved by Gunga Din, admits this, saying, "Tho' I've belted you an' flayed you, By the livin' Gawd that made you, You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!"
http://www.bartleby.com/103/48.html
"Gunga Din" is a poem by Rudyard Kipling, written in 1892. The poem is about a "bhisti," or water-carrier, who saves the narrator's life and is then killed himself. Sacrifice is a huge theme in The Watchmen. The atomic bomb is discussed many times, and, as my last post shows, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima is shown as being a good thing because it saved many more lives than the ones it killed. Veidt thinks this same way, that killing many New Yorkers will save the country and world from entering a World War that would kill more, and will help them to achieve world peace. Moloch is a word for sacrifice as well as a character in the novel. Watchmen poses moral questions about sacrifice in order to save better things. This poem helps that; although, in "Gunga Din," nothing better is saved by Gunga Din's death. The famous last line of the poem, spoken by the man who was saved by Gunga Din, admits this, saying, "Tho' I've belted you an' flayed you, By the livin' Gawd that made you, You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!"
http://www.bartleby.com/103/48.html
It was a good thing.
"I like President Truman, the way Dad would of wanted me to. He dropped the atom bomb on Japan and saved millions of lives because if he hadn't of, then there would of been a lot more war than there was and more people would of been killed. I think it was a good thing to drop the atomic bomb on Japan." (Moore, end of Chapter 6, paper by Walter Kovacs from Charlton Home).
This quote shows one theme of the book; killing (or hurting) some to save more. Veidt's plan is the culmination of this theme, the epitome of it. He kills almost all of New York City, in order to prevent a World War from happening and to promote world peace. Rorschach says that Truman did the same thing with the atom bomb. It is ironic that he would say that he likes Truman and is glad he did this, because at the end of the novel when Veidt has launched his plan, Rorschach says that he should not be able to get away with it, that it is wrong.
This quote shows one theme of the book; killing (or hurting) some to save more. Veidt's plan is the culmination of this theme, the epitome of it. He kills almost all of New York City, in order to prevent a World War from happening and to promote world peace. Rorschach says that Truman did the same thing with the atom bomb. It is ironic that he would say that he likes Truman and is glad he did this, because at the end of the novel when Veidt has launched his plan, Rorschach says that he should not be able to get away with it, that it is wrong.
There is nothing else.
"The horror is this: in the end, it is simply a picture of empty meaningless blackness. We are alone. There is nothing else."
The Watchmen deals very much, in different ways, with the question of God. Is there a God? Is He all-powerful? Is He benevolent? Does he really care about us? These are some of the questions that Watchmen poses, in addition to answers to them. Dr. Manhattan is shown as a God figure that has no real control over the world, having almost every possible power but to change the outcome of events. This in itself poses one answer to these questions; there is a God but he cannot control us. This quote, also, shows another answer to these questions; "We are alone. There is nothing else." We are alone in this world of chaos, and, as Rorschach thinks, we make our own decisions, create our own truth.
The Watchmen deals very much, in different ways, with the question of God. Is there a God? Is He all-powerful? Is He benevolent? Does he really care about us? These are some of the questions that Watchmen poses, in addition to answers to them. Dr. Manhattan is shown as a God figure that has no real control over the world, having almost every possible power but to change the outcome of events. This in itself poses one answer to these questions; there is a God but he cannot control us. This quote, also, shows another answer to these questions; "We are alone. There is nothing else." We are alone in this world of chaos, and, as Rorschach thinks, we make our own decisions, create our own truth.
The Judge of the Earth
"'After that, humanity is in the hands of a higher authority than mine. Let's just hope he's on our side.'
'Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? -Genesis chapter 18, verse 25." (Moore 28, Chapter 3).
This passage shows, again, the impartiality of God, or a God figure. It is Nixon that speaks the first part of this quote, hoping that God, or a "higher authority," like Dr. Manhattan, will "take their side." The next piece is a quote from Genesis, a selection from the Bible. It wonders if the "judge of the earth," God, or Dr. Manhattan in this case, will "do right," presumably meaning to do right by the people of the earth. Dr. Manhattan is, in this panel, sitting alone on Mars, looking melancholy. He is indifferent to humans, not because he chooses to be, but because his powers have made him thus. He can see the future but cannot change it, because to him, everything happens at the same time, his decisions have already been made, have yet to be made, and are being made. He can watch what goes on in the world, and although it may look like he can affect it, in actuality he can't at all. Maybe God is this same way, indifferent to the life he has created because he cannot change what we do. Rorschach believes totally in freewill and will power to change things; he thinks that his decisions make him who he is and create his world. In contrast, Dr. Manhattan thinks it does not matter what we do, because everything will happen as it happens. He cannot change it.
'Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? -Genesis chapter 18, verse 25." (Moore 28, Chapter 3).
This passage shows, again, the impartiality of God, or a God figure. It is Nixon that speaks the first part of this quote, hoping that God, or a "higher authority," like Dr. Manhattan, will "take their side." The next piece is a quote from Genesis, a selection from the Bible. It wonders if the "judge of the earth," God, or Dr. Manhattan in this case, will "do right," presumably meaning to do right by the people of the earth. Dr. Manhattan is, in this panel, sitting alone on Mars, looking melancholy. He is indifferent to humans, not because he chooses to be, but because his powers have made him thus. He can see the future but cannot change it, because to him, everything happens at the same time, his decisions have already been made, have yet to be made, and are being made. He can watch what goes on in the world, and although it may look like he can affect it, in actuality he can't at all. Maybe God is this same way, indifferent to the life he has created because he cannot change what we do. Rorschach believes totally in freewill and will power to change things; he thinks that his decisions make him who he is and create his world. In contrast, Dr. Manhattan thinks it does not matter what we do, because everything will happen as it happens. He cannot change it.
Moloch
"Moloch, for example, who had started out aged seventeen as a stage magician, evolving into an ingenious and flamboyant criminal mastermind through underworld contacts made in his world of nightclubs, had moved into impersonal crime like drugs, financial fraud and vice clubs by the late '40's." (Moore, pg. 10 of "Under the Hood," end of chapter 3).
"Moloch" can either refer to a mythical "God" or demon or a type of sacrifice regarding fire. Myth says that Israelites would sacrifice their first-born children to Moloch. The word "Moloch" can now mean anyone or anything that asks for sacrifices. Moloch was known as a sun god or fire god, and (according to legend) people were sacrificed to him through fire. When Rorschach is arrested, he is in Moloch's house, and sets fire to it. This is a firey sacrifice--his freedom.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/moloch.html
"Moloch" can either refer to a mythical "God" or demon or a type of sacrifice regarding fire. Myth says that Israelites would sacrifice their first-born children to Moloch. The word "Moloch" can now mean anyone or anything that asks for sacrifices. Moloch was known as a sun god or fire god, and (according to legend) people were sacrificed to him through fire. When Rorschach is arrested, he is in Moloch's house, and sets fire to it. This is a firey sacrifice--his freedom.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/moloch.html
Midnight Clock
Panel 5, Page 12, Chapter 4: The symbol on Dr. Manhattan's forehead.
The symbol that is drawn on Dr. Manhattan's forehead was originally drawn being a hydrogen atom. However, it may also be a clock, with both hands at the 12 o'clock time: the "doomsday clock." This is an appropriate symbol for Dr. Manhattan because, although he has the power to create life (and anything he chooses) like God, he also has the power to destroy it. As he said in Chapter 1, life and death are essentially the same to him. Time for him has no meaning, as everything is really happening at once, all at the same time, and so people are really both alive and dead at the same time. Creation and destruction are, to him, in essence the same thing. This is a theme throughout the novel. Veidt destroys the city of New York in order to create a world-wide peace.
The symbol that is drawn on Dr. Manhattan's forehead was originally drawn being a hydrogen atom. However, it may also be a clock, with both hands at the 12 o'clock time: the "doomsday clock." This is an appropriate symbol for Dr. Manhattan because, although he has the power to create life (and anything he chooses) like God, he also has the power to destroy it. As he said in Chapter 1, life and death are essentially the same to him. Time for him has no meaning, as everything is really happening at once, all at the same time, and so people are really both alive and dead at the same time. Creation and destruction are, to him, in essence the same thing. This is a theme throughout the novel. Veidt destroys the city of New York in order to create a world-wide peace.
Life and Death are Unquantifiable
"'A live body and a dead body contain the same number of particles. Structurally, there's no discernible difference. Life and death are unquantifiable abstracts. Why should I be concerned?'" (Moore 21, Chapter 1, Panel 3).
Throughout the novel, Dr. Manhattan is considered a kind of God figure and viewed as such. He has almost every power imaginable, including the ability to know the future. This passage however begins to set him up as an indifferent God, one apathetic to human's lives. This point is emphasized many times throughout the novel, but here is where it is first mentioned and begins to be shown. Since he can see that life and death are, essentially, the same, he cares nothing about them, therefore not caring whether humans, mortals, live or die, or what happens to them. We see him create, as he does on Mars, but not control life. This is like the Deist view on God. The Diests believe that God created the world, and then sat back and watched, interfering no more in its affairs than that. http://www.deism.com/deism_defined.htm
Throughout the novel, Dr. Manhattan is considered a kind of God figure and viewed as such. He has almost every power imaginable, including the ability to know the future. This passage however begins to set him up as an indifferent God, one apathetic to human's lives. This point is emphasized many times throughout the novel, but here is where it is first mentioned and begins to be shown. Since he can see that life and death are, essentially, the same, he cares nothing about them, therefore not caring whether humans, mortals, live or die, or what happens to them. We see him create, as he does on Mars, but not control life. This is like the Deist view on God. The Diests believe that God created the world, and then sat back and watched, interfering no more in its affairs than that. http://www.deism.com/deism_defined.htm
Practically a Nazi
"'The man was practically a Nazi.' 'He stood up for his country, Veidt...never set up a company selling posters and diet books and toy soldiers based on himself...If that makes him a Nazi, you might as well call me a Nazi, too.'" (Moore 17, Chapter 1).
This interchange between Rorschach and Veidt serves as foreshadowing. Veidt calls Eddie Blake, the Comedian, "practically a Nazi," but Rorschach defends him by saying that Veidt views everyone besides himself as a Nazi. This is ironic, however, when later in the novel it turns out that Veidt is more like a Nazi than any other character. He is, in fact, almost a direct parallel to Hitler. He ends up killing millions of people, in order to make the rest of the population better, and at peace. To most this seems like a despicable act, but to Veidt and Hitler both it makes perfect sense. Veidt was trying to save the world from a massive World War that would kill more people than his experiment has. Hitler believed that, by killing the jews and anyone who was not "Aryan," he would make the world a better place; he believed these people were bad and causing the corruption of the world, and he wanted to cleanse it of corruption.
This interchange between Rorschach and Veidt serves as foreshadowing. Veidt calls Eddie Blake, the Comedian, "practically a Nazi," but Rorschach defends him by saying that Veidt views everyone besides himself as a Nazi. This is ironic, however, when later in the novel it turns out that Veidt is more like a Nazi than any other character. He is, in fact, almost a direct parallel to Hitler. He ends up killing millions of people, in order to make the rest of the population better, and at peace. To most this seems like a despicable act, but to Veidt and Hitler both it makes perfect sense. Veidt was trying to save the world from a massive World War that would kill more people than his experiment has. Hitler believed that, by killing the jews and anyone who was not "Aryan," he would make the world a better place; he believed these people were bad and causing the corruption of the world, and he wanted to cleanse it of corruption.
We Fix 'Em
"We Fix 'Em! Obsolete Models a Specialty." (Moore 9, Chapter 1, Panel 8).
This sign is just one small example of the brilliant way Moore and Gibbons use the pictures in their books to reinforce points, both subtly and blatantly. This sign is shown as Dan is walking away from it, just coming from a meeting with Hollis Mason. Both men used to be vigilantes known as "Nite Owl" but both have since retired. They are no longer needed, or wanted, to fight crime in cities. Although they claim not to miss their adventuring lifestyles, they spent nights alone talking about it, and Dan is obviously nostalgic for those times. This sign is placed there, near Dan, to say that he is an obsolete model, and no longer needed.
This sign is just one small example of the brilliant way Moore and Gibbons use the pictures in their books to reinforce points, both subtly and blatantly. This sign is shown as Dan is walking away from it, just coming from a meeting with Hollis Mason. Both men used to be vigilantes known as "Nite Owl" but both have since retired. They are no longer needed, or wanted, to fight crime in cities. Although they claim not to miss their adventuring lifestyles, they spent nights alone talking about it, and Dan is obviously nostalgic for those times. This sign is placed there, near Dan, to say that he is an obsolete model, and no longer needed.
They Had A Choice
"They had a choice, all of them. They could have followed in the footsteps of good men...decent men, who believed in a day's work for a day's pay. Instead they followed the droppings of lechers and communists and didn't realize that the trail led over a precipice until it was too late. Don't tell me they didn't have a choice." (Moore 1, Chapter 1).
These words are spoken by Rorschach in his journal on the first page of the graphic novel. Rorschach is established in this passage as being an existential character with existential values; this idea carries throughout the novel and helps to shape Rorschach's actions and the plot of the novel, along with its themes. Rorschach believes, as existentialists do, that the choices we make define our lives and to each our own subjective realities. Rorschach thinks that the world is a chaotic, irrational place (and the 1985 of The Watchmen certainly is), and we each try to make it make sense to us through our own decisions and the way we choose to view the world.
http://www.tameri.com/csw/exist/
These words are spoken by Rorschach in his journal on the first page of the graphic novel. Rorschach is established in this passage as being an existential character with existential values; this idea carries throughout the novel and helps to shape Rorschach's actions and the plot of the novel, along with its themes. Rorschach believes, as existentialists do, that the choices we make define our lives and to each our own subjective realities. Rorschach thinks that the world is a chaotic, irrational place (and the 1985 of The Watchmen certainly is), and we each try to make it make sense to us through our own decisions and the way we choose to view the world.
http://www.tameri.com/csw/exist/
Friday, March 27, 2009
Rorschach Blot Tests
"His responses to the Rorschach blot tests were surprisingly bright and positive and healthy. I really think he might be getting better." (Moore 1, Chapter 6, Panel 9).
The Rorschach Blot Test, where Rorschach takes his name and his face, is a test given to mental patients to test their mental well-being. Patients are given a randomly shaped blot of ink, with no particular pattern, and asked to find a picture in it. Their responses, whether deemed "normal" or not, judge their mental state. In this part of the book, Rorschach himself has to take the tests while he is in prison. The Rorschach Test, being a theme in the book, shows again Rorschach's existentialism and world view. He sees what he wants to in the world, in this world with no patterns, only chaos, he finds a picture and sticks to it. It is not what most would deem "normal," but it is his truth, his reality, and therefore the only way he can view the world.
http://deltabravo.net/custody/rorschach.php
The Rorschach Blot Test, where Rorschach takes his name and his face, is a test given to mental patients to test their mental well-being. Patients are given a randomly shaped blot of ink, with no particular pattern, and asked to find a picture in it. Their responses, whether deemed "normal" or not, judge their mental state. In this part of the book, Rorschach himself has to take the tests while he is in prison. The Rorschach Test, being a theme in the book, shows again Rorschach's existentialism and world view. He sees what he wants to in the world, in this world with no patterns, only chaos, he finds a picture and sticks to it. It is not what most would deem "normal," but it is his truth, his reality, and therefore the only way he can view the world.
http://deltabravo.net/custody/rorschach.php
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