O'Connell: Catwoman

Batman Vs. Catwoman

Catwoman and Batman are both characters with complex personalities. They both have dark pasts and mysterious personal lives. The most important similarity between the two is the fact that they both have dual identities. Catwoman during the day is just a normal woman named Selina Kyle. She is a beautiful and confident woman that Bruce Wayne is instantly intrigued by. She is a much more mysterious and sexualized version Vicki Vale. But much like Bruce, she has inner struggles of trying to dicscover herself. Before she was thrown off the roof, left for dead, she was a shy and soft-spoken young woman. Her new found confidence was awoken when she came back to life as Catwoman. Her alter-ego was the answer to her desires of becoming an independent woman. It also brought her a new feeling of hatred for all men. Outside of the bat suit, Bruce Wayne is a reclusive and depressed individual that hardly leaves the house. The complexity of each character’s personality brings a certain kind of balance to their relationship. The new Selena is able to say whatever she wants without hesitation, causing her to talk to Bruce flirtatiously. Bruce is attracted to her in a way that he never felt when she was just the regular shy Selina Kyle. She is also obviously attracted to him in spite of her hatred for men. This hatred comes out when she puts on her mask. Her sense of empowerment causes her to be very aggressive towards Batman. But even under all the violence there is a lingering sense of chemistry between the two. This is what ends up being the downfall of Catwoman. Even when they discover each other’s true identities, Bruce feels that it could work out because they are so similar. He feels like he’s finally met someone who understands him. Selina, on the other hand, is still trying to figure out her true identity. She has not come to terms with herself so early in her resurrection as Catwoman. Her attraction to a man that she should hate scares her. It contrasts with her secret identity and eventually leads to her demise.