Character as Theme in Watchmen
In Alan Moore’s Watchmen some of the most prominent characters exist largely as commentaries on a theme. It’s an effective way to intermingle multiple themes in a story and establish character and theme simultaneously.
Dr Manhattan, Power
Jon/Dr Manhattan symbolizes the theme of power, and more specifically ultimate power. They say power corrupts, and in Jon’s case you could certainly argue that’s true, though not in a typical way.
Because Jon is basically god-like, he no longer really cares about humanity or morals for much of the graphic novel (ultimately he achieves some change in this regard).
This disregard is probably most glaring when Jon watches the Comedian character kill the woman carrying his child in Vietnam.
As the Comedian comments in the scene, Jon could have stoppped him. But he doesn’t.
So Alan Moore is able to basically comment on the effects of power while showing us what kind of person Jon has become at the same time.
Rorschach, No Such Thing as Destiny
Rorschach really reveals himself through his interviews with a psychiatrist after his imprisonment, and his explanation of why he wears the mask is particularly illuminating of the worldview of this man (who grew up perpetually abused and bullied) and of the commentary Alan Moore is making on the world.
As Rorschach explains, he wears the mask because it is much like the world itself, devoid of meaning except for that which we project upon it. Rorschach no longer believes in meaning in the world and appears not to believe in God either (at one point he says, “Looked at sky through smoke heavy with human fat and God was not there,” and “We are alone, live our lives, lacking anything better to do. Devise reason later.” (Chapter 6, p26) and in the gloom of Watchmen‘s story, with earth on the brink of self-annihilation, it would seem Alan Moore is at least offering this as a possible philosophical viewpoint.
Again the character’s personality becomes a thematic commentary at the same time.
The Comedian-Anarchy
The Comedian shares some similarities as a thematic entity to Rorschach, and much like The Dark Knight‘s Joker, basically thinks life is a big joke.
What’s intriguing is Alan Moore has positioned this character as someone who works for the government (and was apparently considered a war hero by some people in the book, though the moniker is hardly accurate given his actions in Vietnam seen in the graphic novel, as well as his actions in general), as opposed to some loony bin like The Joker simply running around causing trouble.
And while we don’t get a ton of scenes with The Comedian, the few that do leave a definite impact. This guy does not care, he is not bound by any morality, he kills a woman he impregnated in Vietnam and generally speaking comes off as a huge asshole.
But his worldview comes through, and it further comments on a theme Rorschach suggests as well, of life as meaningless.
Again, Moore uses character as theme.
-Dan Benamor
ps I’ve placed this in the screenwriting category because of it’s relevance as basic writing tools to screenwriting, as well as because of the upcoming film adaptation of Watchmen