The Dark Knight is a movie full of depth and a variety of subthemes. In this movie, where a vigilante dresses up as a bat and fights a clown man, it explores the corruption of good men, the criminal element, how society can turn on one another, and the nature of evil.

However, I believe the ultimate theme of this movie is endurance in the face of evil something that a Biblical theme as well as general.

Batman, real name Bruce Wayne throughout this movie, struggles with the cost of becoming Batman despite all the good he has done as he feels he is still not effective enough to save Gotham. When District Attorney Harvey Dent starts making what Bruce perceives as a true difference in Gotham when he puts away Gotham’s biggest Criminal, he plans on giving up the mantle of Batman, feeling Gotham has found its true hero in Harvey. He also wants to do this in the hopes of finally being together.

This falls apart when Joker, the agent of chaos, creates a situation that leads to Harvey being scarred both mentally and physically, and Rachel dying. Despite being in dire straits, Batman is told by Alfred to not give in and fight it, as enduring the pain and evil is what Batman does best. While Batman does stop Joker, Harvey Dent goes crazy thanks to the Joker’s influence and starts killing people he blames for his tragedy. Batman stops him from killing Commissioner Gordon, but this leads to Harvey’s death in the scuffle. This leads to his final decision in the movie to act as a Scapegoat for Harvey’s crime to preserve Harvey’s image and Gotham. Bearing this burden, he realizes he can be anything Gotham needs them to be, with Gordon proclaiming him to be their Dark Knight.

By film’s end, it is shown that despite everything that had happened, Batman endures in the face of evil as Gotham’s guardian, even if everyone hates him. This theme is present in the Bible as it values endurance, as despite the suffering, it will produce proper character as said here, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4 NIV). Dark Knight reflects this as well, with Harvey himself saying the night is darkest before dawn, echoing this verse. Even more so with Batman’s final decision giving Gotham hope despite his own suffering. Overall, this movie illustrates the theme of what it means to endure in the face of evil expertly, giving The Dark Knight even more aspects to dissect.

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