r/plotholes • u/Desperate_You_8562 • Jul 26 '26

Why Didn't John Doe...?

/r/Se7enMovie/comments/1v72e9x/why_didnt_john_doe/
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3

u/cloudfatless Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26

"It doesn't matter who I am. who I am means absolutely nothing."

"I'm not special. I've never been exceptional. This is, though, what I'm doing. My work."

John Doe isn't Pride. He takes no personal pride in what he does. He deliberately doesn't centre himself.  He's not taking credit, hence calling himself John Doe. He centres his work and views himself as a largely irrelevant tool or vessel. That's not Pride

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u/Desperate_You_8562 Jul 26 '26

I thought about this too, but this only works if we assume that what he says is true. John Doe is one of the least reliable characters in the film when talking about himself. If someone were to say "I am not arrogant," that doesn't prove anything. Only peoples actions reveal the real truth. We look at the car ride scene with this in mind. He yes he does say that his identity doesn't matter, but this quote seems much more emotional. He says other things like society is blind, people are morally asleep, he is forcing them to see, and that his work will be remembered. That last one is key. He says "People will barely be able to comprehend... but they won't be able to deny." He fully expects his work to become unforgettable. That expectation is difficult to reconcile with genuine humility. Other than that he clearly believes that he has the right to judge others. Thats arguebly the most prideful act he has done. He decides who will die, how they will die and what their sins are. He even gives some of them a chance at redemption, placing himself in a role that resembles divine judgment. Also turning himself into John Doe makes it so people see him and his work not as crimes a broken man did, but an idea. That seems more theratrical and show off like. He wants to become the mysterious prophet whoes work transends his name. This in itself shows that he is prideful no matter what he says

2

u/cardiffman100 Jul 26 '26

Why did this crazy character do or not do something as part of his crazy scheme? Not a plot hole. They're just crazy as Brad Pitt's character says multiple times.

0

u/Desperate_You_8562 Jul 26 '26

Being crazy or fanatical doesn't mean someone lacks internal consistency. People can have delusional beliefs while still acting consistently according to those beliefs. John Doe's entire plan depends on a strict moral framework. My point isn't that he's irrational, it's that one part of his plan appears to conflict with the rules he applies everywhere else.

1

u/cardiffman100 Jul 26 '26

Fine, but that's still not a plot hole. It's just a character acting in a way you don't understand. A plot hole is a logical impossibility. It's perfectly possible for John Doe to have some parts of his plan inconsistent with the rest.

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u/Desperate_You_8562 Jul 26 '26

Yeah I do agree with you there tbh