There is so much going on with the text that I have had a hard time trying to find one topic to focus on for this blog. After discussing the novel in class I found my topic.
Between the identity of the heroes to the role law enforcement, the concept of identity plays a major part in Watchmen. I found the identity of Rorschach to be the most interesting because of his comment about how his mask is his true face.
Most of the time the mask is used to hide the secret identity of the hero. It is a way to play the hero without being bombarded with fame or placing your loved ones in danger. That is not to say all superheroes use masks; the Fantastic Four are open about who they are and what powers they possess. And just because one wears a mask does not guarantee that loved ones will be safe. Take for instance Spiderman. Gwen Stacey was constantly in trouble and ended up dead (and under such tragic circumstances- poor Spiderman). Mary Jane also winds up in the middle of trouble, despite the timelines where she is unaware of Spiderman's real identity. However, the reason for Rorschach wearing his mask is completely different.
His mask represents who he truly is. Everyone says that they do not know his identity, that no one has seen his face or knows his real name but to Rorschach everyone knows. His face is the one they have seen and his name is the one they speak. He is Rorschach. Yet, he is not because his mask/face constantly changes. Perhaps this is a reflection of how the self changes with time.
Not only that but Rorschach constantly makes references to other's masks. In the first book, Rorschach is at the cemetery, paying his respects to The Comedian, and says how The Comedian "saw the cracks in society, saw the little men in masks trying to hold it together...He saw the true face of the twentieth century and chose to become a reflection, a parody of it" (27). I found this line to be particularly interesting because of what it says not only about Rorschach but about the others. They dressed up as heroes in order to make a difference in the world. They wanted to fight for it. Yet, the irony lies in having to hide who you are in order to fight for what you believe in.
As a side note-
The Nite Owl is an interesting character to look at as well in terms of masks and identity. While he is not the focus of this blog post I wonder if I am the only one who has a hard time getting the image of him sitting by his costume in the beginning of the novel out of their head? After talking to Rorschach about the possibility that someone is targeting masked heroes, Rorschach leaves Nite Owl/ Daniel sitting by the Nite Owls costume. Daniel, looking at the smiley face button, not only has a look of defeat on his face but that of regret. He also has taken his glasses off, letting readers passed the barrier the glasses provide. That one panel reveals so much about his character.
Most of the time the mask is used to hide the secret identity of the hero. It is a way to play the hero without being bombarded with fame or placing your loved ones in danger. That is not to say all superheroes use masks; the Fantastic Four are open about who they are and what powers they possess. And just because one wears a mask does not guarantee that loved ones will be safe. Take for instance Spiderman. Gwen Stacey was constantly in trouble and ended up dead (and under such tragic circumstances- poor Spiderman). Mary Jane also winds up in the middle of trouble, despite the timelines where she is unaware of Spiderman's real identity. However, the reason for Rorschach wearing his mask is completely different.
His mask represents who he truly is. Everyone says that they do not know his identity, that no one has seen his face or knows his real name but to Rorschach everyone knows. His face is the one they have seen and his name is the one they speak. He is Rorschach. Yet, he is not because his mask/face constantly changes. Perhaps this is a reflection of how the self changes with time.
Not only that but Rorschach constantly makes references to other's masks. In the first book, Rorschach is at the cemetery, paying his respects to The Comedian, and says how The Comedian "saw the cracks in society, saw the little men in masks trying to hold it together...He saw the true face of the twentieth century and chose to become a reflection, a parody of it" (27). I found this line to be particularly interesting because of what it says not only about Rorschach but about the others. They dressed up as heroes in order to make a difference in the world. They wanted to fight for it. Yet, the irony lies in having to hide who you are in order to fight for what you believe in.
As a side note-
The Nite Owl is an interesting character to look at as well in terms of masks and identity. While he is not the focus of this blog post I wonder if I am the only one who has a hard time getting the image of him sitting by his costume in the beginning of the novel out of their head? After talking to Rorschach about the possibility that someone is targeting masked heroes, Rorschach leaves Nite Owl/ Daniel sitting by the Nite Owls costume. Daniel, looking at the smiley face button, not only has a look of defeat on his face but that of regret. He also has taken his glasses off, letting readers passed the barrier the glasses provide. That one panel reveals so much about his character.