Many have said that their relationship is abuse romanticized to the point where it is used as an example of an ideal relationship. Is it abuse? Yes. However, not in the way that people think it is.
Both parties of the relationship are manipulative. Most people don’t see this because they see Harley as a naïve little girl who is truly devoted to The Joker. This is not the case. Harley and The Joker both play with each other’s emotions. The Joker invokes fear and adoration from Harleen, and she makes him see her as a harmless little toy that will accept him with open arms should he perform even the slightest show of affection towards her.
The Joker is useful to Harley. He is a cruel but effective partner in crime. They commit crimes together but she gets away with very little punishment from the authorities. When The Joker had become “sane” due to extreme rehabilitation, Harley seemed less than thrilled to have him swooning over her. This may have raised some questions concerning why she had rejected an “ideal” Mister J. This is because -although he has become an ideal romantic partner- he has become less effective as a villain. This is basically what their whole relationship is based on: mutual manipulation and effectiveness when commiting a crime. The only reason she accepts being mistreated in this manner is because he gets it twice as bad from the authorities. She, despite being just as sinister as him, is seen with pity rather than the same disgust as the public sees The Joker.
Being with The Joker puts her in a position where she can wreak as much havoc as she would like; but, all the blame is directed at the Joker.
The Joker, on the other hand, seems to have no idea that this is the case. He still sees her as that same fearful psychologist at Arkham. He fails to recognize the monster has unleashed within her. He sees her as his puppet but does not realize that she is capable of whatever he can do and more. She would have killed Batman if only The Joker didn’t interfere. He is constant denial of her abilities and how they are superior to his. He does this by constantly being in the spotlight. “If I didn’t do it, at least they’ll think I did.”, he thinks. In that case, Harley lets him take all the credit because that’s exactly what she wanted.
One of the myriad of reasons I love Harley is that, she saw a homicidal psychopathic clown, and her first reaction was “Oh yes, gimme a piece of that.”
Harley tries getting Joker to stop doing work and play with her but he’s like “Go away, I’m busy.” So she’s like FINE and makes a pillow fort by herself and makes Bud and Lou the guards. She puts a “No Boys Allowed” sign on the fort and Joker sees it and is like “Pssh, I don’t care.” But he’s like…”not caring” very loudly.
“Like I give a damn that I’m not allowed in your stupid pillow fort? Go ahead. Have fun by yourself. I told you I’m busy.” “Okay.” “I mean it’s not like I even WANT to go in your dumb pillow fort.” “Good.” “………..Harley, let me in the pillow fort.”
