Where past generations had a certain security to their mythology, we are always in danger of finding out the truth about our heroes. Be it the founders of our democracy or the fabled frontiersman who carved the American landscape, there are enough skeletons entombed in their collective closets to destroy whatever wistful memories we might have once held. While revisionism has always been in a force in our history classes, the point never struck home until I caught a midnight showing of The Dark Knight.
Ladies and Gentleman, Spoiler Alert!!
The ending of The Dark Knight remarks upon this utter maleability of the “hero.” Batman is in exile in order to protect the image of the fallen District Attorney Harvey Dent, responsible for murdering those he holds accountable for his disfiguration and his fiancee’s death. In the mind of Bruce Wayne, the hero exists to ensure the survival of our collective spirit. As ideals change, the particulars of the hero do as well, even conforming to villainy to ensure a sense of “justice.” The film’s coda is fitting – “He’s not the hero that Gotham needs right now, but he’s the one they deserve.” Batman is willing to sacrifice this legend he has created for the greater good. As poetic an example as it is, perhaps the more ubiquitous situation is one in which our protagonist has absolutely no idea that his reputation is being manipulated.
Although Custer was the proverbial “Belle of the Ball” following the Civil War, his questionable field record on the frontier precipitated a fall from grace. Custer’s death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, while horrifying to the nation, was lauded by opponents of then current Indian-American policy as “just deserts.” This statement is, not entirely unwarranted, especially considering Custer’s brutal murder of non-combatant Native Americans allied with the United States at the time. Let’s reflect on this for a moment, with some help from a half-crazy German philosopher.
Nietzsche – What an Ugly Bastard
“He who fights with monsters should be careful least he thereby becomes a monster. When you stare at the abyss, the abyss stares back at you.”- Friedrich Nietzsche
George Armstrong Custer, employing savagery to fight “barbarians” becomes the ruthless one himself, carelessly butchering Natives in search of past glories, albeit to the benefit of the United States. Despite the role of his ilk in taming the land for Westward Expansion, the situation creates a certain moral contradiction. Can society progress with such terrible reminders of the past lauded? If the goal was to civilize, then how can such an uncivilized man continue to be praised?
