Within the past few weeks or so, the only thing of real interest that has happened was The Dark Knight. Watched it on Thursday, after lessons. The one thing that got to me was the pure venom in Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker. This might sound like any other of those reviews raving about his performance, but the one thing I'll give him credit for was the realistic nature of his performance. Face it, the guy seems crazy. Note the careful usage of the word seems. The Joker in The Dark Knight is not crazy. He is nothing close to what an insane person is. On the contrary, he is saner and a whole lot smarter than anyone of us. He plans. Whatever he might say, about chaos and anarchy and upsetting the established order, he plans. He planned everything. He is such a firm believer in anarchy that he has become 'insane' to us. We who respect rules, and live by them, are mortified by his concept of 'living without rules' as the 'only way to live in this world'. That is why we think he is insane. However, it is merely because his own concept of the world is one where man lives freely, the democracy which cannot exist: the true state of every man for himself - anarchy. This is why The Joker is able to survive so well: he is conditioned for survival, and to propagate anarchy. Think about it - he wears make up to act clown-like, not because he looks that way to begin with. This version of The Joker makes you believe that he is just as human as all of us, but his beliefs make him the polar opposite of the anti-hero Batman. This creates the impression further that he chooses what he wants to be and thus in his trying to challenge the social order, he has pushed himself to madness yet retaining his rational behaviour. And I believe his rationality is best encapsulated in these lines - 'You just couldn't let me go could you? This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. You truly are incorruptible aren't you? You won't kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness, and I won't kill you, because you're just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever.'
Easy only 17 miles lay between you and me
I could make it if I had to
I don't break easily
You've got my counsel, thick as thieves
If there's a crime we'll keep it secret
For there's only trace amounts left in your blood
You may be a sinner
But you may be justified
Just keep your mouth shut
Keep your guard up
I swear I'll make it right
Will it kill me to breathe
Not as easy as you think it is between you and me
I could fake it if I have to
I don't break easily
I need your counsel, thick as thieves
I have no crime to keep a secret
It was hers, it was not mine
Well I may be a sinner
But it wasn't me this time
Just keep your mouth shut
Keep your guard up
I swear I'll make it right
Listen to yourself
There is a hemorrhage in your mouth
It won't stop bleeding
Well you may be the traitor
I will hold the smoking gun
You'll get away clean
I'll keep your secrets til the grave has swallowed me
And I will never tell a tortured soul they are burning by my side
That I am a sinner
I am a savior
I am a lie
So keep your mouth shut
Keep your guard up
I swear I'll make it right