Indefinitely, the biggest example for corruption in Sin City, is present through the tyrannical reign of the Roark family. With a line of power that extended back to the settlement of the town, the rule and terror set in the lives of the citizens, is what fuels the mistrust and criminal attitude of the townspeople. Throughout the film, the family is seen to be the catalysts to all the major plots, with Cardinal Roark, Roark Junior, Kevin, Attorney General Roark, and the texts central villain, Senator Roark, all terrorising the city in their own ways. The Senator is the most privileged character in the text, creating havoc throughout the city and suffering no consequence for it, regardless go the evidence against him. These benefits extend to the future generation Roark's, with …show more content…
His hunger for power and control is demonstrated through an interaction with moral cop, John Hartigan, whilst he lies in a hospital bed. Roark says: “Power don't come from a badge or a gun. Power comes from lying. Lying big, and gettin' the whole damn world to play along with you. Once you got everybody agreeing with what they know in their hearts ain't true, you've got 'em by the balls.” (Miller, 2005). This highly significant speech made by the villain, illustrates many key concepts from the entire film. Firstly, his regard to power not coming from a badge or gun but rather mendacity, implies that in order to be “good police” in Basin City, one must use weapons of deceit rather than bullets. Waving his gun around in this moment, however, also implicates the power both kinds of weaponry can have, and that the two can coincide to commit the perfect crime. He continues to convey the strength on manipulation and terror, to ensure that with an army of innocent yet fearful people, one is capable of getting away with whatever they