Whitney's recreational reading |
Watchmen
Among the many motifs of Watchmen, the most prolific is the Hiroshima lovers. We first see it in Chapter 5: "Fearful Symmetry"; Rorschach sits in a diner and writes, "Out in street, inspected defaced building: silhouette picture in doorway, man and woman, possibly indulging in sexual foreplay. Didn't like it. Makes doorway look haunted" (Moore 155). The next panel jumps to Laurie and Dan leaving lunch together, with Rorschach watching them exit without their knowledge, wondering if the two were having an affair. The next appearance of the Hiroshima lovers is in Rorschach's psych evaluation. Dr. Malcolm Long gives him the Rorschach blot test, and one echoes the shadowed figures of his mother and one of her clients. Then, in Chapter 8: "A Brother to Dragons", Dan has a dream where he and Laurie are caught in a nuclear explosion: Moore depicts the Hiroshima lovers again on page 387--one of the pages that depicts the large-scale effects of Veidt's attack on New York City; they are the only ones left standing in a city full of corpses. This echoes how Dan and Laurie are also the only ones left standing after the massacre. Then, when Dan and Laurie reconcile, they cast a shadow on the wall. The next panel jumps to Rorschach, whose mask blots have shifted to mimic the cast shadow: The name "Hiroshima Lovers" exists to foreshadow Veidt's mimicking of the atomic bomb drop of 1945, and the consistent connection to Dan and Laurie establishes a parallel of them being the only ones left standing, as Rorschach, Hollis, and the Comedian are dead, Manhattan is gone, and Veidt has isolated himself in his fortress.
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Moore positions Walter Kovacs (alias Rorschach) as the Christ figure. His "crucifixion" (seen above) occurs in response to Veidt's decimation of 3 million people. Jon, Laurie, and Dan agree to keep Veidt's involvement a secret to keep the peace, but Rorschach can't stand idly by and watch peace occur at the cost of sin. He refuses to stay silent, and Jon, who is positioned as God, kills him. Rorschach also dies with his arms outstretched. He "resurrects" in the form of his journal. He's disgusted by sex and often calls it "rank". Kovacs lives in poverty, among thieves, prostitutes, and alcoholics. Often, he tells stories to demonstrate points, as he did to demonstrate the Comedian's struggles before his death: Heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says, "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. Says, "But doctor...I am Pagliacci." |
Alan MooreAlan Moore is perhaps the most acclaimed writer in the graphic story medium, having garnered countless awards for such works as V for Vendetta, From Hell, Miraclman, and SWAMP THING. He's also the mastermind behind the America's Best Comics line, through with he has created (along with many talented illustrators) The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Promethea, Tom Strong, Tommorow Stories, and Top Ten. As one of the medium's most important innovators since the early 1980s, Moore has influenced an entire generation of comics creators, and his work continues to inspire an ever-growing audience. Moore resides in central England. Archives
May 2015
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