The Sociology of the Dark Knight — The Thought Theater, 2020, 8:35 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySRP__2VwJ4

This video essay describes how the Gotham City presented in The Dark Knight (2008) lacks internal identity. While some residents believe in a common good, others are bent on maintaining anti-cohesive social chaos. Within this context, the character of Batman can be seen as embodying social order. He is emblematic of justice, morality, and order while the Joker signifies disruption and disorder. Indeed, “jokes are chaotic in nature… they are a corruption of order in the world”. One of the key differences between order and chaos is abiding by agreed-upon methods and rules. The Joker (wisely) utilizes chaos to destabilize the existing power structure which relies on methods and rules. He is able to escape being defined by the power structure, and as such, he is beyond the grasp of the political-legal system. In other words, the Joker is powerful because he lacks a stable identity. The only way to defeat the Joker is to temporarily abandon the moral dichotomy of good v evil, and Batman does in the film by embracing his shadow (although he clings to his one rule—do not kill).

From the video’s description: The character of Batman and the stories that revolve around him have always seemed to be substantiated on the symbiotic relationship between an individual, and the elements that encapsulate them. How do the ideas of society and the balance of good and evil mixed in with a little bit of chaos tell the story? Today we try to dissect and figure that out.