Catwoman originally appears in Tim Burton’s film Batman Returns as a secretary for Max
Shreck; “the ideal citizen” in the city of Gotham. Over the course of the film,
Catwoman creates a love-hate relationship with Batman. Their first meeting was
as Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne, rather than Batman and Catwoman. Wayne was
having a meeting with Shreck and she walks in, immediately catching his
attention. The relationship between Wayne and Selina Kyle displays the love
sector of their relationship. It’s very normal, very everyday life romantic. For
example, their first date was a typical dinner date. Through this normality of
everyday life, they fall for one another. This causes her to be very attractive
to Bruce Wayne, but at the same time she begins to become very destructive to
Batman.
The complexity of their relationship starts when Catwoman begins
her battle against Batman. While Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne are developing a
love for one another, Catwoman and Batman are developing a hateful relationship
simultaneously. Catwoman and Batman’s first interaction develops into a
physical fight, in which both of them take blows at one another. Ultimately, Catwoman
begins to fall off a building and even though Batman tries to save her- she
still falls into a truck full of kitty litter. As time goes on throughout the
film, it becomes apparent that Catwoman and Batman are incredibly similar due
to the fact that they are both living double lives. During every interaction
they have, the attraction between them seems to grow more and more. Eventually
Wayne figures out Selina Kyle is Catwoman and his love for Kyle and the
attraction for Catwoman merges. His feelings toward this woman become extremely
destructive for him, leading him to take off his mask and become completely
vulnerable to his enemies. Catwoman changes Batman in a way his past love,
Veil, never could. He chose her before the mask. He was willing to show his
face just so he could have her.
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ReplyDeleteThe only concept that I disagree with is that Batman chose Selina before the mask which he did not do with Vicki. He does try to reveal himself to Vicki, but they are interrupted by the Joker. He also was having difficulties getting the words out, but he had decided to be completely open and vulnerable with her. I think Bruce revealed himself so easily to Selina because he was trying to save her. She was going to kill Shrek and because he knew if she pulled that trigger she would destroy every last piece of Selina she had left; she would embody Cat Woman forever. I think what the difference between Vicki and Selina is that they challenged Bruce in different ways. Vicki was a photo journalist who wished to expose the evil of Gotham so they could clean up the city. She loved Batman's cause, and I think she motivated Bruce to continue with his work. Selina, on the other hand, almost is luring Bruce to open up to his dark side. She is a reflection of himself; she has an internal struggle to finally being the person she had always dreamed of being and trying to do good. Bruce is intrigued by her darkness and is tempted to be one with his own darkness.
ReplyDelete- Becca