After refusing all help from Lieutenant Gordon and even pushing Alfred aside, Alfred shocks Bruce by saying that Bruce is not only angry with Gotham's broken system, but with Alfred as well for not being there to protect him or save his parents' lives. He sets out as Batman to humiliate and punish the Gotham police, Gordon and Alfred by doing what they couldn't and to 'bear witness' to Bruce's self-destructive path. As Alfred masterfully puts it:
"You're making us all watch. The whole city. You shut us out and punish us night after night, as you go out there and protect those we can't. But if you do that, sir, if you let the past drive Batman, his scars, he becomes something dark, a demon of vengeance. Not a creature of justice or hope. And he will not last, nor will you. Listen when I say we are here for you now, Master Bruce."
It is extremely telling how Bruce has absolutely no response to this and abruptly leaves on his next mission. Snyder once again takes Bruce's anger and gives it a new, interesting perspective. The scene also shows just how well Alfred knows Bruce Wayne, how he's the one man who knows Batman better than he knows himself and is able to set him on the right path whenever doubt rears its head. Bruce may have lost his real father, but he has never been without a true father figure.
Richard Church has a Bachelor of Arts in English and a diploma in Television Writing and Producing. He is an aspiring writer for short stories, novels and screenplays. He is also an avid fan of comic books and graphic novels.
