Ramos 1 Juliana Ramos Tenbarge 23 February 2012 College Prep H Watchmen: Societys Genuine Critique Watchmen, by Alan Moore,

is literature extraordinaire that goes far beyond set comic standards and changes the future, quite literally. Set in an alternate 1985 America, the murder of The Comedian spurs an epic mystery that intermingles the evils of heroism and the certainties of justice. In pursuit of the truth, protagonist Rorschach uncovers a former superheros scheme. Ozymandias proceeds to kill three million innocent bystanders in a successful attempt to end the Arms Race. Though it ends with no happily ever after, the graphic novel effectively depicts insight on how America would realistically progress with superheros in society. The comic proves it is a masterwork piece of fiction through its complex characterization, profound symbolism, and insightful theme. Moores gift for creating multidimensional characters enriches the readers experience and enhances the depth of the plot. Well into the beginning of the story Moore inserts hard-hitting words that reflect Rorschachs thoughts about the world and gives readers a better look into his mind. Frustrated by unmet expectations Rorschach states, Meeting with Veidt left [a] bad taste in [my] mouth. He is pampered and decadent, betraying even his own shallow, liberal affections Why are so few of us left active, healthy, and without personality disorders? (Moore 19). One does not anticipate such words from an almighty superhero, yet Moore bravely

Ramos 2 strays from standard portrayals of heroes and gives them a darker personality. Moore insinuates that heroes are just as blemished as anyone else; the difference is they can hide behind a mask. Subsequently, Moore introduces Dr. Manhattan as an apathetic figure. When faced with the news of The Comedians death, the doctor carelessly establishes that his death was of no distress to him, A live body and a dead body contain the same number of particles. Structurally theres no discernible difference. Life and death are unquantifiable abstracts. Why should I be concerned? (21). Dr. Manhattan portraying life and death as interchangeable concepts testifies that even the most brilliant are not necessarily the most compassionate. Dr. Manhattan is far from a flat character and is even seen as having a personality disorder. In an emotion break down Dr. Manhattan lets out his true feelings, The world is so full of people, so crowded with these miracles that they become commonplace and we forget... I forget. We gaze continually at the world and it grows dull in our perceptions. Yet seen from the another's vantage point, as if new, it may still take our breath away (7). His conflicting personality resembles the worst in everyone. Even minor characters reflect a multidimensional behavior. Sally Jupiter cries to her daughter after being scorned for her past superhero life and says, Everyday the future looks a little bit darker but the past even the grimy parts of it well, it just keeps on getting brighter all the time (5). Moore liberates superheroes of their commonplace stereotypes and replaces it with realism. Not all superheros are genuine and loving, they can be cynical and a bit mad too. Moores use of characterization is noteworthy, and the equally as vital symbolism makes the comic an exceptional piece.

Ramos 3 The symbolism in Watchmen is correspondingly as cunning as Moores use of characterization. Though symbols may be interpreted to suit ones personal opinions, Moore makes suitable use of evident symbols. With a distinct disadvantage, Russia failed to do any harm to the United States. Dr. Manhattan had the ability to stop 99% of the nukes headed towards the US and the ability to read into the future. The Arms Race was prolonged but the use of clocks throughout the graphic novel indicated the severity of what could perhaps be the end of the world. Bloody clocks are efficiently placed within the books chapters (1). These clocks tick down one minute per issue till they hit midnight on issue 12. This is a clear representation of the constant movement towards the end (midnight or total doom). To draw emphasis there is drips of fresh blood, symbolizing the already atrocious struggle and foreshadowing a gory future. Some clocks alert us when its hands hit twelve. It is to make you wary of your use of time because you never know when ones clock will hit 12(death). The smiley face badge in Watchmen also makes reference to the clocks. The blood represents the hand of the clock, one that is fairly close to reaching midnight. This symbol is crucial to the novel and is the cause of a lot of emotional disturbances that tie together in efficiency. Laurie yells, had seven scotches inside me, one in my hand I let him have it! (21). The scotch that proceeds to fall makes its way onto a smiley face badge in the shape of the blood. The face represents the happy exterior individuals flaunt, but the blood and the scotch represent our ugly stored emotions. Moore make note that imperfection is relatable and inability to manage time is just as well. By adding depth, the story can pick up an extra intimate meaning for the reader. The strong symbols make the

Ramos 4 graphic novel an analytical medium but the theme translates the upmost vital message. Watchmens theme is direct and concise, good triumphs over evil. The efficiency of the theme is due to Moores interpretation of evil. Rorschach is depicted as morally abiding citizen. He makes it clear that no amount of corruption can delay justice, yet one individuals perception of justice can easily be anothers venality. Aware of The Comedians death Rorschach articulates, Dog carcass in alley this morning, tire tread on burst stomach. This city is afraid of me. I have seen its true face. The streets are extended gutters and the gutters are full of blood and when the drains finally scab over, all the vermin will drown. The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout "Save us!"... and I'll look down and whisper "No." They had a choice, all of them. They could have followed in the footsteps of good men like my father or President Truman. 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. Now the whole world stands on the brink, staring down into bloody Hell, all those liberals and intellectuals and smooth-talkers... and all of a sudden nobody can think of anything to say. (1) Who is deemed worthy of validating whether or not the politicians are good and not evil? What indicates that police will not do wrong? Universally, the answer is nothing. For no two people can come to same conclusion of good and evil.

Ramos 5 Justifications are intended to be necessary in order to validate such accusations. Alan Moore shows that the real world does not work like that. Mr. Moore shows Ozymandians scheme and lets the reader decide if it was good. He implies that one must live by a social contract in which one gives up a little for the greater good. Watchmens theme attributes to the success because it is clear theme with an ambiguous interpretation. In Watchmen, Moore effectively keeps the reader tangled in his novel with his characterization, symbolism and theme. All together Moore pulls his best literary elements forth which result in the effective graphic novel, Watchmen. The multidimensional characters, dark symbols, and themes of justice piece together a novel worthy of recognition. One cannot alter time or the subsequent consequences of ones actions, but one can rewrite the future as Moore brilliantly did.