In The Dark Knight , Harvey Dent likely fails to immediately recognize the Joker due to severe physical trauma, including impaired vision from facial burns and a state of delirium. The scene also functions narratively to symbolize Dent's transformation into Two-Face, with the Joker's mask removal acting as a catalyst for his psychological break. Read more analysis at Screen Rant . Dark Knight: Why Didn't Harvey Dent Recognize The Joker?