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Jennifer Kim

English H+

Mr. Shively

Performance Essay

6/3 2024

Dan Dreiberg— the Redeemable?

The definition of true heroism blurs out in a society where the line between good and evil

is ambiguous. Such a blur is evident in the comic Watchmen by the writer Alan Moore and artist

Dave Gibbons, published in 1986. Watchmen depicts an alternate history in which superheroes in

the 1940s to the 1960s changed history, leading to the United States’ victory in the Vietnam War

and never exposing the Watergate scandal. As the story's setting is unsettling, edging toward

World War III against the Soviet Union, the moral ambiguity becomes omnipresent, and the

vigilantes’ behaviors are questioned. However, when comparing to the key traits of heroism, Dan

Dreiberg is the most redeemable character for his heroic actions, empathy, and limitation against

violence.

Daniel Dreiberg illustrates his heroic actions encompassing a moral compass and

humanity throughout the plot, making him one of the most important traits to be considered as a

hero. He recognizes the flaws in society and tries to salvage them as he feels compassion for

humanity. One of the evident scenes is when Dan, along with Laurie the Silk Spector II, takes on

the Laurie take to the skies in Dan’s airship “Archie,” spotting and saving the people from the

tenement building into the airship. The process is depicted with the extreme calamity of Dan

strategically and skillfully guiding and reassuring people, “Please stay calm. Your predicament

has been noticed and the situation is being attended to” despite a chaotic situation that may give
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him panic or pressure (Moore 230). His dialogue reflects his thoughtful and reflective nature,

each line measured and considerate in his empathetic approach. He even tries to adjust the

airship’s capacity to rescue everyone possible from the rooftop by taking the steering column

away. After guiding everyone onto the airship, he assured people and suggested providing coffee

with his coffee machine while playing a piece of calm romantic music to make themselves

comfortable, considering they had gone through panic attacks in the burning building. His series

of unnecessary yet considerate behaviors make him stand out as a compassionate hero. The

visual depiction is portrayed as brave and capable, focusing on their coordinated efforts and the

successful rescue operation.

In terms of graphic features, the juxtaposition between the lyrics of Dan’s choice of

music with the surroundings serves as situational irony. His choice of music is: Billie Holiday’s "

You’re My Thrill” with the lyrics “You’re my thrill. You do something to me. You send chills

right through me when I look at you, ‘cos you’re my thrill… You’re my thrill. How my pulse

increases” (Moore 232). Whereas the lyrics depict such a romantic and tender lover’s confession,

the situation depicts the otherwise with a burning flame and dark gloomy color schemes that

suggest a corrupted and deteriorating societal stability. The sharp contrast reflects his romantic

side of nature alive within the chaotic and corrupted world, making him a redeemable character.

However, his choice of music that is outdated reflects his fixation on the past, providing an

uncanny experience to the people rescued when the flames are burning down the city. Yet his

intention to play the music for the people to stay calm can be considered as his attempt to

connect psychologically with other people, once again showcasing his potential aspect of
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personality for his redemption following his uncanny behaviors.

This chapter also focuses on the appearance of the Nite Owl from detail to the overall

look. Nite Owl’s appearance serves as a significant reminder of Dan’s role and symbolic

significance. Dan’s costume and gadgets reiterated through the graphic novel, especially in the

chapter, are designed to evoke a sense of nostalgia and traditional heroism. The owl motif

symbolizes wisdom, vigilance, and protection. Thus, graphic representation contributes to Dan as

the redeemable character.

Dan furthermore shows the important ability of emotional connection through her

relationship with Laurie the Silk Spector II, highlighting his heroic trait. As the ability to

empathize is such a significant factor when rescuing the world, Dan’s ability of emotional

connection plays a pivotal part in making him a redeemable character. Unlike other characters

such as Rorschach and Dr. Manhattan who cannot emotionally connect to other people, Dan’s

relationship with Laurie suggests Dan’s potential for redemption. After the successful rescue,

Dan and Laurie share a moment of connection inside the airship, illustrating their emotional
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bond. These scenes are softer in color tones contrasting sharply with the previous scenes of

depiction of the harsh world outside. The overall color scheme is unified under a soft pink with

the rainbow resembling a cloud in the back. There is no sharp or stark color disrupting the

harmonious color scheme. Thus, the visuals contribute to the depiction of the harmonious

relationships Dan can make with other people. Within the scene, Dan further introspects about

their roles as heroes, “Yeah, I guess the costumes had something to do with it. It just feels

strange, you know? To come out and admit that to somebody. To come out of the closet…I’ve

been thinking about that, and I feel we have certain obligations to our fraternity. I think we

should spring Rorschach” (Moore 234). His thoughts reflect the thoughtfulness and depth of his

characters; rather than stopping on the surface, he seeks to empathize and reflect upon his

behaviors and identity as the

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Nite Owl.

Finally, Dan’s redeemable trait is reflected in his moral sense of limitation towards

extreme violence, as what true heroes should feel. One of the most significant examples of Dan

Dreiberg’s limit to violence is his reaction to Ozymandias’s plan to save humanity by

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orchestrating a catastrophic event involving an alien creature. In Chapter 11, when Dan learns

about Ozymandias’s plan to unite the world by killing millions through a staged alien attack, he

is horrified. Ozymandias believes that this extreme act of violence will prevent a nuclear war and

save humanity in the long run. Dan's response is one of moral outrage and disbelief, “Аhha...ha

ha ha! Adran, come on, what… You’re serious?...I’m sorry.. You need help. This “half New

York” stuff is bullshit, but I’m still glad we got here before you got deeper into this mess. Christ,

you seriously planned all this mad scientist stuff?” (Moore 366). His line highlights his

fundamental opposition to using violence to an end, showcasing his commitment to finding non-

violent solutions and his inability to accept such a horrific plan, even if it is intended to save the

world. The confrontation with Ozymandias is depicted with intense, dramatic visuals. The panels

are tightly composed, reflecting the tension and urgency of the situation. Dan's shock and moral

outrage are plain to see on his face, starkly contrasting to Ozymandias's calm, rational

expression. This visual contrast emphasizes Dan’s emotional and ethical stance against mass

violence.
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The use of cold, stark colors in these scenes reflects the harsh reality of Ozymandias’s plan and

the moral coldness of his rationale. Dan’s reactions are highlighted with warmer tones,

symbolizing his humanity and moral warmth. This color contrast visually reinforces the ethical

divide between Dan and Ozymandias. By examining these scenes and the corresponding visual

elements, it is evident that Dan Dreiberg's reluctance to violence is a consistent trait. His

preference for non-lethal methods and avoidance of unnecessary conflict underlines his moral

integrity and reinforces his position as the most redeemable character in "Watchmen."

In conclusion, Dan Dreiberg, the Nite Owl II, is the most redeemable character among

myriads of characters in the comic Watchmen. He encompasses heroic traits of moral and heroic

actions, empathy, and limitation to violence. In a world teetering on the edge of chaos, perhaps

the quiet, steadfast heroes like Dan Dreiberg offer the most profound hope for redemption. His

story challenges us to consider the importance of maintaining humanity and compassion in the

face of moral dilemmas, leaving us to contemplate what it truly means to be a hero.

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Bibliography

Moore, Alan, and Dave Gibbons. Watchmen. Turtleback Books, 2014.