Watchmen Chapters 1-6 Flashcards

Characters

• Rorschach: Sees the world in absolutes; relentless in pursuing justice; distinct for rejecting the Keene Act.
• Dr. Manhattan: Jonathan Osterman, a god-like figure; capable of manipulating matter; increasingly disconnected from humanity; serves the government.
• The Comedian: Edward Blake, murdered at the beginning; perceives existence as a twisted joke; embodies a cynical worldview.
• Silk Spectre II: Laurie Jupiter, raised under pressure to be a hero; romantically linked with Dr. Manhattan; symbolizes the struggles of legacy.
• Nite Owl II: Dan Dreidberg, feels purposeless after retiring due to the Keene Act; maintains his secret identity; reflects on lost heroism.
• Ozymandias: Wealthiest and most intelligent character; the only Watchman to reveal his identity; devising plans for global peace.

Key Concepts

• The Doomsday Clock: Symbolic representation of imminent global catastrophe; moves closer to midnight as the threat of nuclear war escalates.
• The Keene Act: Legislation that outlaws masked vigilantes; designed to curtail the power of unregulated crimefighters.
• Rorschach's Journal: A personal insight into Rorschach's psyche; crucial for narrative development and understanding the story's events.

Narrative Structures

• The Tale of the Black Freighter: A comic within the graphic novel that parallels and contrasts with the main story's themes.
• Frame Story: A literary technique that employs secondary narratives; the Black Freighter comic serves this function within the larger story.
• Juxtaposition: A device used to highlight contrasts and comparisons by placing conflicting ideas or images in proximity.

Flashbacks and Themes

• Dr. Manhattan's Memory: Reflects a pivotal moment when he witnesses the Comedian's cruelty; showcases his emotional detachment.
• Nite Owl's Memory: Recalls the Comedian's violent past; highlights disillusionment with the American Dream.
• Sally Jupiter's Memory: Reveals both the vulnerability of the original Silk Spectre and the darker aspects of heroism within the Minutemen.
• Ozymandias' Memory: Depicts the Comedian's conviction that global issues exceed the Watchmen's capabilities.

Significant Symbols

• The Smiley Face Pin: A key piece of evidence linking Rorschach to the Comedian's murder; represents irony and moral ambiguity throughout the narrative.
• Alan Moore: The esteemed author known for creating impactful graphic novels, including Watchmen, highlighting complex themes and character studies.

Vigilantism

• Vigilante Definition: Individuals who assume law enforcement roles outside the legal system; raises questions about morality and societal order.