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Watchmen

Wed, 04/22/2009 - 07:40 — pemsley
Category: 
Graphic Novel
Film
Synopsis: 
Watchmen is a graphic novel and a film about four heroes trying to find out who is killing off all the retired heroes. Both the novel and the film are narrated by the hero named Rorschach who reads from his journal and the story goes on from that point. Watchmen takes you through the lives of each of the four retired heroes and how their lives become intertwined once more. In this movie, science is a recurring theme, through Jon Osterman's machine he works on in the beginning of the film, to the ending of Watchmen. Watchmen has many twist and turns throughout and has a very mind blowing ending.
Context for time depicted: 
Watchmen takes place in the time period between 1945 until October of 1985. During these time periods many things happened socially, politically and scientifically. The first major event was World War II in 1945. World War II shaped how science should be used militarily as well as for the betterment of society. The first of these events to shape science in this way would be The Manhattan Project in which the first atomic bomb was to be created and used on Hiroshima, Japan. The Manhattan Project is where Jon Osterman gets the name of Dr. Manhattan, when he displays his new powers in the form of using them as a weapon. Watchmen also takes place in Vietnam where Dr. Manhattan really shows off his powers as a weapon, the Vietnam War shows more conflict within humanity. Another huge event that happens during the time of Watchmen is the Space Race. Technological advancements sky rocketed during this time because everyone was trying to be the first country to explore space. The Cold War also influenced science because both the Soviet Union and America were both trying to produce more nuclear weapons than the other country. This also boosted how science was used for military purposes. Going on socially during this time period; Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated after being a huge part of the Civil Rights Movement; John F. Kennedy was assassinated during his presidency; Watergate Scandal with President Nixon; and Anti-War movements in the 70's. Since this book covers 40 years of history, there are many underlying shifts going on that aren't exactly apparent in Watchmen; the first of these being quantum mechanics, which was in development before 1945.
Context for time of production: 

Watchmen, the graphic novel, was produced in 1986. During this time the Iraq-Iran war was going on, where Iraq was accused of using illegal chemical weaponry against Iran, further exploiting science for military purposes and using science for more efficient ways of destruction. The movie of Watchmen was produced in 2009. The United States is still currently in conflict with Iraq and technology is being implemented into everyday life more and more. Science is still ever-expanding during this time and new breakthroughs in robotics and technology thought never to be possible.

Assessment: 

Three major scientists in Watchmen:

 

Adrian Veidt- Uses science to try and create a utopia based after the teachings of Ramses. In the movie, Veidt hires Jon Osterman to create a machine that deploys an explosion mimicking the powers of Dr. Manhattan. He does this to unite all of Earth against one common enemy, and stops the impending World War III. In the novel, Veidt uses the machine to create an alien like monster from the human psychic. He sends this monster to New York and the monster kills almost half of New York. Veidt uses the monster to unite Earth rather than sacrificing his friend, Dr. Manhattan.

 

Dan Dreiberg- Classic scientist hero. Uses science for the good of mankind and uses it to stop evil and fight for the side of justice. Creates inventions, such as the goggles in his costume and the ship he carries all the heroes in, to assist himself and his friends fight justice. Dreiberg uses science for the good of humanity and mankind.

 

Jon Osterman- Works as an atomic physicist before an accident with a particle cannon turns him into the blue being that is Dr. Manhattan. As Dr. Manhattan, Jon works to help his friend Veidt with a machine he has been told will generate enough free energy for the entire world to live off of. Works for what he thinks will help all of mankind.
References: 

Bellis, Mary. History of the Atomic Bomb and the Manhattan Project. <April 21, 2009> New York Times Company. About.com. < http://inventors.about.com/od/astartinventions/a/atomic_bomb.htm >

 

The Cold War. <April 21, 2009> historylearningstite.co.uk. < http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/suez.htm >

 

American Cultural History. <April 21, 2009> Lone Star College - Kingwood. < http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade80.html > < http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade70.html > < http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade60.html > < http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade50.html > < http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade40.html >

 

Snyder, Zack (D). Hayter, David, and Tse, Alex. Watchmen. Warner Bros. Pictures. Paramount Pictures in association with Legendary Pictures.

 

Moore, Alan, and Gibbons, Dave. Watchmen. New York: DC Comics, 1986.

How would this be used?: 

The novel should be read by the class because it depicts how science is manipulated and used for military use. The novel also shows how science can seem evil in one light, but very good in another. Perspectives change how science is labeled and this should be taught to counter-act Medias affect on science. The movie should be viewed in class because it's awesome and shows, basically, the same thing.