In one of the best novel introductory quotes of all time (in my opinion at least) Alan Moore places before the reader, almost all of the great themes of the Watchmen. Great disclosure of Rorschach’s mind informs us of the state of the union, no, the world. Most importantly, we learn more about the stories characters, masked or of the masses, in these two sentences: “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.” Rorschach assumes he (or the superheroes) is the subject to which the masses are calling. I don’t believe anyone can state that his assumption is unsubstantiated, however, it raises the question, “Where is religion and faith in the masses”?
Also alarming, is Rorschach’s response, although his actions leave questions to any truth behind his words. A world surrounded in choice (as we all have the choice for good and evil), I found it most amazing that even the most powerful of characters, when provided the opportunity to stop the actions of evil, chose inaction. The inaction or wrong actions of so many characters, primarily the masses, whose “filthy” actions allowed America to slip into such a “gutter” have got to be the greatest crime. Can’t blame Veidt. Can’t hate the Comedian. Forget about Rorschach. To me, the masses culminated to the greatest character, interestingly personified by Seymour at the conclusion. I wonder if he has religion…
Mr. Hollis Mason, in his excerpts from “Under the Hood” often spoke of “the moral instruction”; he states he received it from his grandfather and that it was a leading foundation to become the Nite Owl. However, I must wonder, where did this “moral instruction” come from? Alan Moore created a world full of real, down-to-earth, societal and sociological issues but how did he forget religion? Religion, the subject of so may wars (probably the most), discords, battles, skirmishes, debates, and pure disagreements; I find it hard to believe that Alan simply “forgot” the theology of the world. No…no; it was intentional.
First, I suppose religion may have provided an easy “out” for quite a few of the social problems. In a simple line from Dan to Laurie (for I believe she needed the most psychological assistance), “Why don’t we go to church and pray on it.” Of course, there are no guarantees religion could provide assistance, moreover, we have to assume Alan would have used religion to further disrupt the masses although I like to think (and I feel others may too) religion often consoles humanity especially in the face of fears and pain we cannot fully understand or bear. In thought, the purely chaotic world is one of infinite religion, or none at all. I believe this world was the goal; a world full of “The American Dream” where greed, money, and worldly desires are the substantiated goals and religion free falls to the sidewalk.
A very excellent observation. As someone who believes religion is a worthwhile human endeavor, I also am saddened by Moore’s exclusion of it as a valid option. However, given his views as a practicing magician (not illusionist), I’d say any attempt he gave would be extremely negative or inaccurate, which might be why he chose not to include it.