The Dark Knight: The Joker as a Window into Nihilism
I read another theological perspective on the Dark Knight. It is on the “Parchment and Pen” blog, and it can be viewed HERE.
Patton observes that the Joker can be offered almost as a commentary on the current trajectory of present culture. In a post-Christian society, and a postmodern one, Truth with a capitol “T” is becoming more in question, with an abundance of many lesser and subjective “truths” replacing it. Nihilism is the climax of such driftings, and is embodied perfectly in the menacing character of the Joker.
One note that I had similarly thought was perhaps galvanized by the character Harvey Dent. As quoted in my previous post, he posits that there can be no morals in a “cruel” and unforgiving world, and that the only “fairness” can come from chance. This, I think, sums up well a naturalist worldview. To the audience’s suspense and entertainment, his decisions are based off the flip of a coin. One of my favorite proverbs is translated well by the New Living Translation:
“We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.” Proverbs 16:33. We live in a universe that is not a swirling chaos of random events, but rather a carefully and delicately orchestrated setting for God’s outworking of redemption. Ultimately, God IS in control. Even the flip of a coin has the finger of God guiding it to its resting place, within his sovereignty.
Check out ‘Parchment and Pen,’ it is a great resource.
-ACR
You said: “In a post-Christian society, and a postmodern one, Truth with a capitol “T” is becoming more in question, with an abundance of many lesser and subjective “truths” replacing it. Nihilism is the climax of such driftings”
This is a bit nit-picky, but to my mind nihilism is actually the climax of modernism, not postmodernism. More specifically, it is the climax of modern liberalism and the corollary notion of a secular public realm. Nietzsche and his forbears were products of modernity, not postmodernity. Often what masquerades as ‘postmodern’ is simply ‘hyper-modern’ – modernity worked out to its natural ends (including pluralism, extreme liberalism etc.). Anything that exhibits a more nihilistic bent is likely to have roots in the latent individualism, naturalism and humanism of modernity. Anything that is truly ‘post’-modern, and makes a clean break with modernity (likely exhibiting many characteristics of pre-modernity), should not lead to nihilism. Jamie Smith’s book ‘Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism?’ (Baker) is helpful in this regard, as is Conor Cunningham’s ‘Genealogy of Nihilism’ (Routledge).
Just a short note on terms. It is semantics, but ‘postmodernism’ is often made the whipping boy for many truly modern problems.
That’s some good insights, Simon. You should drop over to Pen & Parchment and offer the same thoughts. I reproduced them here for that very purpose =D.
There is a lively discussion on that thread on P&P, so it looks like you have some good stuff to contribute!
-ACR