Batman and the Penguin are virtually cut from the same cloth. In the beginning of Batman Returns we see the birth of a monster. The monster represents the essential trickster figure in modern lore. The Penguin is imprisoned in a cage as a baby which is a physical representation of a trickster figure. When compared side by side, Batman and the Penguin are not so different. Both have a psychological need to exact revenge due to the circumstances of their abandonment. The Penguin seeks to damn the first borns of Gotham due to his abandonment as a child. Batman seeks to damn criminals and evildoers due to *his* abandonment as a child. Both characters lurk below ground, in the shadows to hide from the light of day. Perhaps the reason why Batman seeks revenge is because he feels guilty that he is alive after his parents were murdered. The Penguin wants to kill the Batman and the first borns of Gotham because he is jealous of the childhood he missed out on. If only the Penguin would have known what happened to Batman's parents then the Penguin would have understood his need to seek justice. When compared to Bruce Wayne's pursuit of justice it seems almost as if the Penguin is like a child acting out because he didn't get his way. But then this fact would reinforce that now he is living out his life in a sick, child like state. The Penguin, in not having gone through puberty, also acts in a very lusty way. This is also a major indication of the trickster figure. He is lusty, smooth talking, and can influence people to do things they would normally not do. It is also necessary to examine the comparisons between animals. Batman's namesake comes from a bat, where the Penguin's namesake is the penguin. Bats are silent, winged creatures who sulk and wander in the darkness. Penguin's are goofy, dedicated creatures who love the cold and hunt in packs. The fact that the penguin is a pack animal shows how the Penguin is able to possess his "children" to do his bidding for him. However, Batman also does the same in the gadgetry that he uses. The Penguin rises to power and fame as he uses Batman as the scapegoat for his evildoings. Batman eventually discovers this and uses the Penguin's personality against him as he shows the citizens of Gotham the true nature of the Penguin.
I agree with everything you said regarding the trickster, and how BAtman and the Penguin are related due to their background story. Nevertheless, I do not think Batman is seeking revenge because he feels guilty. In my opinion, Batman seeks revenge and fights the criminals of Gotham city because one criminal killed his parents, so he tries to keep that from happening to another person. Moreover, I do agree with you with the motives of the Penguin. All he wanted was to feel normal and accepted as any first born child. I like how you compared Batman and Penguin to the animals, it show a lot of their personality.
ReplyDeleteI think its interesting that you brought up the idea of what if Penguin knew what Batman has gone through. I never thought about the idea of the Penguin and Batman knowing about each other's pasts. It's interesting because if they did somehow find out about the other's past, how would this changed their feelings toward each other? Would they be able to identify with each other or would they hate each other just the same. Another point I thought was interesting was analyzing the kind of animal that each is. How penguins like to travel and packs and are seen as "goofy" animals where as bats are loner animals. Both animals are very different but its the past of each character that brings similarity between the two. - Natasha Martinez
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