Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy has many iconic lines from memorable characters. A good number of these quotes come from the late Heath Ledger’s Joker in the second installment, The Dark Knight. Part of what makes the Joker so compelling, in addition to powerfully-acted scenes, is the writing.
1. This City Deserves A Better Class Of Criminal. And I’m Gonna Give It To Them.
The Joker is revealed to hold Gotham’s regular baddies in contempt. They carry out their villainous deeds for goals like money, something the Joker finds inferior. Throughout The Dark Knight, the Joker’s intimidating and baffling actions often seem to have conflicting purposes. He alternately switches between hurting and helping the mob, and his behavior is unpredictable.
Eventually, this is shown as intentional since the Joker embodies humanity’s worst urges, and he tries to underline how attempts at civilization, rule-abiding, and morality are meaningless. With his violent nihilism, the Joker’s intention hits at something far deeper than a typical superhero villain. Ultimately, his main goal is for Gotham to lose hope.
2. You See, In Their Last Moments, People Show You Who They Really Are.
This line proves the Joker’s talent for getting inside people’s heads, even if they are already aware of his angle. After his arrest, the Joker is kept in the interrogation room and guarded. His first attempt to provoke the guard is quickly nullified. However, he regroups and tries another approach. He begins by describing his preference for using a knife over a gun when killing.
The Joker concludes that since people’s true selves are seen when they are threatened with death, he technically knows the guard’s fallen friends better than they ever did. For the devastating final touch, the Joker swoops in with the effective “Would you like to know which of them were cowards?” The result is a hostage situation and a detonated bomb.
3. Everything Burns.
This scene hammers home that the Joker lives for chaos. He goes to such lengths to ally with the mob and steal from them. In the end, he sets his half of the loot on fire as if scoffing at the idea of the money being his final objective.
The Joker then gets rid of Lau and is implied to kill the Chechen by turning his own dogs on Chechen. To Chechen’s outrage and disbelief, the Joker outlines his philosophical motivation. “It’s about sending a message,” he exclaims. “Everything burns!”
4. I’m Like A Dog Chasing Cars”
Following Rachel’s death, Harvey Dent falls into despair while recuperating in the hospital. Before the hospital is blown up, the Joker visits to do what he does best. Through mind games, the Clown Prince of Crime convinces Harvey that Rachel’s death was not his fault and that other people are to blame for her demise.
The Joker does this by comparing himself to a dog chasing cars. “I wouldn’t know what to do with one if I caught it,” he claims. “I just do things.” The lie works and convinces Harvey to give the Joker a chance with his signature coin toss. The outcome is kept offscreen, but it is quite clear that he got what he wanted because he is next seen sauntering outside.
5. “I Believe That Whatever Doesn’t Kill You, Simply Makes You Stranger”
The Joker begins The Dark Knight by leading a bank robbery to get the mob’s attention. Unbeknownst to the others, the Joker accompanies the group under a “Grumpy” mask without letting on who he is. One by one, the Joker strategically arranges for his men to be taken out.
By the time the money is collected and the getaway vehicle has arrived, the Joker is the sole survivor. Before departing, he confronts the defiant bank manager who questions his beliefs. Unmasking himself, the Joker delivers the above line before sneering and leaving the manager with a smoke grenade……..See More
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