The Dark Knight: "Wanna know how I got these scars?"

Okay, so I'm reading all kinds of stuff into this movie.

For what it's worth, here's my purely subjective interpretation...

There are no heros in the movie.

The Joker manages to push Batman over the edge in terms of violence; He seduces Arthur Dent into his way of thinking; Bruce Wayne's arrogance leads him to underestimate his opponent and he loses the woman he loves; Lt Gordon, at the very end, teams with Batman to conceal Dent's viciousness, and so  compromises himself.

Only the Joker remains true to himself — and he is certainly no hero. So the movie forces us to conclude that we all "fall" and are susceptible to compromise.

There are only Dark Knights, some darker than others.

The twists and turns of fate can bring us into situations that are beyond us – and we give in. This hero-void points away from us, upward. Is there one who is truly incorruptible? Can anyone live in the unfair, chaotic, even wicked world of Gotham and NOT be brought down to our level?

Where is the White Knight?

The Joker is searching for a Hero to stand up. He will do anything, even destroy Gotham, but he will not give up until he exposes our shallow morality.

He will find the White Knight or die trying. How can life be worth living if no one is incorruptible, if no one rises above this wicked world?

What struck me the most in all his mad jabbering was the thing that defines him — his scars. A couple of times in the movie he asks "Wanna know how I got these scars?".

They mar him, mark him -- his face and his heart. His scars are signs of his inner wounds.

The chaotic, wicked, unfair world filled with corruptible people has wounded him. And everyone walks around pretending as though they are "good" and "pure" and that life is unfolding according to plan — and that is unbearable.

Nothing like a little anarchy to strip away the thin veneer of society. So wherever he goes on his mission, he exhibits his scars, the imprints in his body of the broken state of the world and venality of the human heart.His scars scream at us:

"You are wicked, just like me — given the "right" circumstances. This world is messed up; don't pretend that everything is alright. Have you forgotten we are corruptible people living in a dysfunctional world? Let me help you get some perspective: Wanna know how I got these scars?"

See, the non-heroes of the movie can't really stop the Joker.

It would take a true White Knight — incorruptible, compassionate, a healer of wounds. One who can restore broken hearts and lives, and even a broken world.

Hey Joker — if you ever meet the White Knight, you should ask him how he got his scars...