Theories and Perspectives on Deviance in the Batman Fiction Essay

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Batman 1989

As depicted in this DC-comic-based movie, Gotham City is a fictionalized concept of New York or Chicago in the late 30s rather than in the bicentennial period of its independence in 1776. The behavior of the characters, the black-and-white television sets, the locale and the overall mood of the fiction are suggestive of that period before the last War rather than of the conditions in New York or Chicago in 1976 or 200 years after American independence, as the time setting of the fiction. This is when Batman makes his first appearances, which strike terror in the hearts of lawbreakers in the City.

The harshness and despondent atmosphere in the fiction reflect the huge economic and social impact of the Great Depression of 1929 on Americans at that time (Free Servers, 2015). They blamed their economic and social troubles on then President Herbert Hoover who was at a complete for solutions to an unprecedented economic collapse. Unemployment, homelessness and the dust bowl replaced gaiety and ease the economic and social boom of the roaring 20s. Pay cuts, job loss or servility were endured and people had to live in junk shacks they called Hoovervilles. Some dealt with unbearable hardship and anxiety by committing suicide (Free Servers) or to crime. The strain theory through the functionalist perspective as advocated by Robert Merton and Richard Cloward or Loyd Ohlin. The loss of control over their lives, extreme poverty and getting uprooted from their homes made their goals unachievable. Those who belonged to the lower class of society and saw no hope of improving their situation tried to survive by joining gangs and turning delinquent. Bu turning delinquent, they necessarily broke social rules and got into trouble with the law. Their forced severance from former anti-criminal norms eventually brought them into contact with criminal elements, such as mob groups. This is explained by the interactionist perspective as well as by the conflict perspective. The advocates of the conflict perspective perceive people as instinctively negative and given to wrongdoing when left to themselves. The broken-windows theory suggests that citizens should be subjected to constant monitoring and suspected lawbreakers to surveillance in order to discourage and stop them from committing more or deadlier crimes. This perspective suggests reforms in criminal policy to accomplish these (Anonymous, 2015; Anonymous, n.d.).

2. Gotham City's Basic Characteristics

Mayor Borg announces that the city is celebrating its bicentennial, indicating that the fiction is dated in 1976. But the long-term effects of the Great Depression linger on in some ways (Free Servers, 2015; Little & McGovern, 2014). The citizens have learned to value or over-value money and credit. The reform programs introduced in the 30s to address the disruptions caused by the Great Depression remain in effect. A most lasting effect is the increase in executive power (Free Servers, Little & McGovern).

The proliferation of mobs and gangs and corruption in government, especially in the police, are major issues in Gotham City. The mayor alerts his District Attorney Harvey Dent and Commissioner James Gordon to increase police presence for the grand event. One big mob boss is Carl Grissom, who has been in Dent's target list, and his capable but treacherous second-in-rank Jack Napier. Grissom operates effectively with the paid assistance of Lt. Max Eckhardt. Grissom arranges a raid at the Axis Chemical plant with Lt. Eckhardt for the frame-up and murder of Napier. Instead, Napier kills the police officer but Batman appears and causes Napier to fall into a pool of chemical waste, disfiguring him. He is assumed to have drowned and died.

The movie underscores the tie-up between underworld characters and some unscrupulous law enforcers, like >t. Eckhardt. On the other hand, the billionaire Bruce Wayne, whose parents died in the hands of the psychotic Jack Napier, grows up in the realization that some vigilant action is needed to handle the City's problems with criminals. He doubles as Batman, the costumed champion of law and justice. His other side is that of a philanthropist owner of the Wayne manor, which contrasts with poverty, homelessness and crime round it.

3. The Role of Police and Corruption as Underlining Themes of Social Disruption in and of the City.

A) between the Police Department and criminal leaders

The Police Department is headed by Commissioner Gordon who is answerable to the District Attorney Dent and upward to the mayor. But somewhere in the hierarchy, the respect for law is not sustained. This is exemplified by Lt. Eckhardt as the corrupt police officer.

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He and his kind make it difficult for police leaders, like Commissioner Gordon to keep crime under check and protect the citizens. They need some other form of unconventional help to become more effective.

Jack Napier survives and becomes more deranged with his disfigured face and obsession to destroy Batman and social order itself. He becomes the sociopath, Joker. He first kills Grisson who set him up and usurps his criminal empire. With his broader range of resources, Joker is able to bribe the citizens with $20 million during a nighttime parade as part of the bicentennial celebration. But he betrays them by spraying his Smilex product, which makes one laugh to death. The police are unable to respond appropriately to the surprise move by the Joker, more so because he has prepared corrupt policemen to make sure other policemen loosen their guard during the event. And the citizens are only too glad to participate in the parade for such a large sum that they cannot expect to earn from their jobs.

The strong link between criminal groups and corrupt government officials, especially police officers, sustains criminality and weakens the fiber of the law. Because of laxity, citizens who find it difficult to achieve their individual goals in lawful ways, especially when exposed to lawbreakers who lure them, eventually become lawbreakers themselves. This illustrates the broken windows theory under the conflict perspective. As in the case of Lt. Eckhardt, laxity and lawbreaking are not confined to citizens and criminal elements.

B) between city officials and the citizens

Gotham City Mayor Borg, DA Hrvey Dent and the police force are bound by law to protect the lives and interests of the citizens, per the functionalist perspective. This perspective inter-connects order, stability and productivity. Without these officials' enforcement of the law the interconnection cannot work. They have been equipped to make the interconnection work. But without the citizens' support, officials cannot implement the law, either.

Bruce Wayne is a citizen of Gotham City and a very prominent one. He exemplifies the social bond theory as advocated by Travis Hirschi. His social or familial bond is rock solid although the psychopathic Jack Napier rendered him an orphan as a boy. His excellent education and upbringing kept him in the right track. He illustrates the four controls set forth by this theory, namely, attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. His close attachment to his parents and associates makes him cleave to correct values and the law. His commitment to these values and the law pits him against those who break them. His involvement in worthwhile community activities and the respect he gains from his involvements further enhances his strong sense of right. And his personal belief in the primacy of the truth, the law and justice cements the three earlier controls.

As a citizen with these strong controls and immense material and social resources and advantages, Bruce Wayne is well-equipped and motivated to respond to the hapless and disorganized situation of Gotham City. When Viki asks why he had to be Batman, Bruce answers, "because here is no one else who can be." And when he discovers and concludes that it was the young Jack Napier who actually killed his parents, his motivation for personal vindication against the Joker becomes justified.

4. a) crime and Gotham City's Economy

Gotham City is a fictionalized concept of New York or Chicago before the last War but adapted to more contemporary times. But the lingering effects of the Great Depression bind and weaken the hearts and will of the citizens. Because of the corruption of some officials, monitoring of citizens' activities turns lax. The poor whose means to survival turn to apathy or crime when they feel hopeless and helpless in achieving their goals or mere survival. The absolute theory of deviance stands on strictly moral grounds. But a breakdown in morality, such as that in Gotham City, renders an absolute theory into a relativist one, which sees values as dependent on culture and situations. Deviance is seen as simply a condemned human behavior, occurring in specific situations only. It may or may not be unlawful. Economic breakdown leads to poverty, delinquency, homelessness and a host of other consequences.

b) corruption in Gotham City and the Police

The mayor, the District Attorney and Commissioner Gordon would have an orderly and peaceful city. They have the people's mandate, jurisdiction and resources to achieve this goal. Unfortunately, these mandate, jurisdiction and resources are shared.....

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