The document discusses several key motifs in the film "The Dark Knight". 1) The use of dogs represents how society breaks down into a "dog-eat-dog world" when order is disrupted, as the Joker uses attack dogs to turn people against Batman. 2) The Joker's theme music underscores his sinister intentions, with a more dramatic tone when he plans to cause trouble. 3) The Joker's card serves as both a warning and a "stamp" claiming responsibility - it signals the audience when the Joker is involved in events.

1. Motifs in ‘The Dark Knight’
In a film, a motif is a symbolthat represents something or someone of somesignificance. It
can be through sound, lighting, or cinematography. Overall, a motif has a deeper meaning
and indicate to the audience that something is about to happen, or someoneis about to
enter. These motifs occur repetitively throughoutthe film. Motifs play an important role in
the action-thriller ‘The Dark Knight’.
In ‘The Dark Knight’, the idea of the crumbling
of human society and order is explored
through motifs. The motif being the useof
dogs. The idea is that in society, human live in
packs, like dogs and when the going gets
tough society becomes a ‘dog-eat-dog’ world.
In The Dark Knight the Joker brings this idea of
corruption and discontentto society. And when
people begin to revolt and act like wild animals
they begin to turn on Batman. There is a
particular scene in which I am referring to. The
scene being where Batman and the Joker come
to blows towards the end of the film. And as they fight, the Joker sets his attack dogs to
take Batman down. This represents how the Joker is in command of all the chaos and at the
click of a finger can makepeople turn on each other. Batman is a hero and is supposed to
be what keeps order in Gotham City, and by setting the attack dogs on him the Joker shows
how society has turned its back on everything that is good, and it is all his doing. And when
the dogs attack Batman the Joker joins in and begins to attack Batman, which also
represents how the Joker is the spearhead of this crumbleof society. Also, during the scene
whereMorgan Freeman is talking Batman through his new gear and equipment, Batman
asks ‘How willit do against dogs’. As Batman is a representation of law and order, it
represents how the justice systemfeels threatened by the rebels and crazy people (the
dogs).
Although it may seem simple and obvious, an effective motif in The Dark Knight is the
underscore, thataccompanies every scene containing the Joker. There are two types of
underscores within the film that symbolizewhat the Joker is thinking and whathis next
move is. A mid-paced, low volume and relatively dark tone plays as the Joker is planning
and thinking. For example, as the joker tries to
explain to a group that he wants half of their
profits to kill the Batman, the underscore’s volume
is very low and the pace is relatively slow. In
contrast, the pace and volume of the sound
increase and the tone becomes more sinister when the Joker is causing some sortof

2. trouble. For example, the tone, instantly, becomes
sharp and suspensefulas the Joker puts the knife to
the character’s face, showing the audience that he has
bad intentions and wants to kill this man. As I said, it
may be very simple and obvious, butit is very effective
and pre-warns theaudience of what the joker is doing/ thinking. Italso gives the audience a
deeper insight into the Joker’s character as it makes him seem more crazy.
Another key motif within The Dark Knightis
the Joker’s card. Thecard symbolizes a
warning to both the audience and the
characters. Whenever there is a Joker card,
the Joker is about to, or already has
attacked. The card represents a stamp, it’s
the Joker’s stamp on whatever he has done.
There is an example for both. The first being the court hearing for the 500+people who are
on trial. As the judgescrolls through the courtdetails, she uncovers a ‘Joker’ and thinks
nothing of it. For the characters, it means nothing. But for the audience it’s a sign that the
Joker is behind whatever is about to
happen, and that he is coming, the
card is a forewarning for the
audience. In contrastthe card is used
as a stamp on the Joker’s work. For
example, when a fake Batman was
hung and uncovered. The ‘Joker’ was
stuck to the fake Batman which
symbolizes that the Joker has killed this man. Not all the characters areawareof who and
what the Joker is. However, the audience is fully awareof the Joker and that he has killed
this fake Batman. The card also symbolizes how messed up the Joker is in the head. As I
said, the card is a stamp for his work, and becausehe puts it on everything he does (no
matter how catastrophic) it seems like the Joker is proud of his work and wants to make
other characters feel intimidated by him.
In conclusion, motifs in The Dark Knightare used to represent/symbolizesociety, also to
representthe thoughts and feelings of differentcharacters. But mainly to signify to the
audience that a certain event is or isn’tgoing to happen and to put them in the shoes of
some of the characters. Overall, motifs play a massivepartin telling the deeper meaning of
The Dark Knight to the audience. And it does so, well, using sound and a variety of fictional,
political views.