Travis Bickle sits in judgment over all of humanity, but he's not able to glimpse his own mental processes with any accuracy throughout Taxi Driver. If he were capable of doing so, he probably wouldn't have gone on a killing rampage, after all.
He condemns the people he encounters when he's out driving his cab for their depravity and violence, but he can't see how abnormal his own reactions to things are—like, taking a woman to a porn movie on a first date, and plotting to assassinate a presidential candidate. No one's appointed him judge of humanity: It's a position he's assumed for himself.
Questions about Justice and Judgment
- What specifically disgusts Travis about the people around him? Why does he feel they're worthy of condemnation?
- Why does Travis want to kill Charles Palantine? Does he think Palantine is doing something wrong?
- Is it ever right to judge someone else? Should you judge yourself first?
Chew on This
Travis' urge to judgment isn't completely wrong, but it goes out of control. He starts judging people who don't deserve to be judged negatively—like Betsy and Palantine.
Travis' urge to judge other people is completely wrong. You should reserve judgment because you never know what's in someone's heart.