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Study Guide
Bibliography
Course Hero. "Watchmen Study Guide." Course Hero. 17 May 2017. Web. 28 Mar. 2023. <https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Watchmen/>.
In text
(Course Hero)
Bibliography
Course Hero. (2017, May 17). Watchmen Study Guide. In Course Hero. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Watchmen/
In text
(Course Hero, 2017)
Bibliography
Course Hero. "Watchmen Study Guide." May 17, 2017. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Watchmen/.
Footnote
Course Hero, "Watchmen Study Guide," May 17, 2017, accessed March 28, 2023, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Watchmen/.
Alan Moore
1986–87
Novel
Dystopian, Science Fiction
Watchmen is told primarily from the point of view of a third-person, omniscient narrator. However, the text also features first-person and third-person limited narration. The multi-narrative voices create a choral or symphonic effect.
The events of Watchmen are told in both the past and present tense.
Watchmen is derived from the Latin expression, "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" Attributed to Roman poet Juvenal, the question commonly translates as "Who watches the watchmen?" A more accurate translation reads "Who shall keep watch over the guardians?" In other words, who will keep the superheroes in check? How much can they be allowed to do in the name of the greater good? These questions permeate Watchmen.
This study guide and infographic for Alan Moore's Watchmen offer summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text. Explore Course Hero's library of literature materials, including documents and Q&A pairs.
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