It's Time We Stop Romanticizing Harley Quinn And The Joker | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

It's Time We Stop Romanticizing Harley Quinn And The Joker

Not crazy in love, just crazy.

869
It's Time We Stop Romanticizing Harley Quinn And The Joker
DC Comics

I came across this video on Facebook, and because I'm a lover of all comic-book-to-movie adaptations and anything mashed up with some Taylor Swift is a win for me, I gave it a look. I was immediately enraged, saddened and confused.

This video paints the picture of a grandiose love story. So naturally I delved deeepdeeeeeep deep into the internet hole of those who love the Harley Quinn and Joker relationship and I feel it is my civic duty to remind all of you that it's an imaginary relationship, and not a healthy one at that.

The relationship was explored in the DC movie "Suicide Squad." There we got to see the development of their relationship via Harley's flashbacks. It starts off with deception and snowballs into abuse, physical and mental. The relationship culminates as Harley dives into a vat of acid (the same vat that stripped the Joker of his skin tone and stained his hair). The Joker dives in after her and, as they both succumb to the INSANITY of the acid, they also relent to the relationship.

This relationship isn't healthy. They aren't equals, they might be partners in crime but they aren't partners in a solid relationship. Their relationship isn't symbolic of being crazy in love and being persistent about what your heart wants; if anything it is a metaphor for how a person can be toxic, and can drive you insane if you try and remain in a close proximity to their toxicity.

While Jared Leto and Margot Robbie are both beautiful and quite vexing people, their characters in this movie should not be anyone's #relationshipgoals. You should not glorify the act that she had to drop a motorbike and hold a gun to his head to get him to stop and listen to her.

That doesn't make her tough (don't get me wrong she is), that doesn't make her a badass willing to fight for what she wants (she is also that), it shows her as being so insane in her desperation that she is willing to risk her own safety to HAVE A CONVERSATION. It makes for great silver screen drama, and you can #ship them, but you shouldn't idolize that.

Abusive relationships start with isolation, The Joker gets Dr. Harleen Quinzel alone at Arkham and then he starts to mold her. She falls in love with him and he uses her feelings as a weakness to unravel the tapestry that was his asylum prison. Then he shocks her, like literally straps her down and electrically shocks her. Then he cuts her off completely and refuses to acknowledge her.

He knows she's in love with him, and continues to force her to chase him. That is not love. Love is wanting the best for the person, wanting to support them and be with them even when times are hard.

Even when they are finally together, The Joker is in control, always. There is no even playing field, everyone fears him, and knows that he has no regard for social acceptability. It's the Joker's world, and everyone else just lives in it.

You can love the characters, and want them to end up together and work out--I won't lie when she "lost her puddin" I was sad--but please do not want to be in a relationship like that. Recognize that it is a work of fiction, and real people do not function that way. While I understand the character development and necessity in portraying their relationship, I need to plead that you stop romanticizing what isn't a healthy kind of love.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190181
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14873
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457847
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26615
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments