LogFAQs > #973389887

ArchNemo posted...

Because my point is directed at people who act like Joker is a commentary on mental illness in general, but again what you're saying means the message is essentially "help mentally ill people because if you don't one might kill you" which is a horrible message when you're trying to speak generally about mental illness.

But your point is moot anyway because he's obviously supposed to be a sympathetic character.

You could argue Jeffrey Dahmer was mentally ill and failed by society, but telling people "any mentally ill person could potentially be pushed to be Jeffrey Dahmer" is not only untrue, but entirely fucked up to say when so many people already have views that mentally ill people are dangerous.

Really, the root of our disagreement is that you see Arthur in the film as representative of all people with mental illness, while I'm viewing him as a single person with mental illness. The commonality between Arthur and others with mental illness is not the mental illness itself -- because everyone's mental state is completely unique -- but the system that they all have to operate within and depend on for help.

Edit: I want to point that I don't disagree with your interpretation, I just really enjoy talking about something beyond the plot beats of shows. I've enjoyed reading your thoughts and seeing why you think them!