I still dont think Bruce did any of what he did in TDK specifically for Rachel. I feel she was an afterthought. It's shown to us that Bruce still has feelings for her and yes she is significant to him in a very dear and special way. But I dont think Bruce was championing in Dent to steal Rachel away so that they could live happily ever after. I just think that Bruce's mission was his first true love, and yes at some point he hoped he could be with Rachel after his mission was over. I def don't think Bruce was maliciously plotting to hand over Gotham to Dent so that he'd have his hands full and be too busy to notice Rachel having candle light dinners with him at Wayne manor.
I think, had there been another DA who was just as sincere in wanting to rid Gotham of crime, things would have went down the same way. Bruce would still be looking for a way out, and after Gotham was in good hands, THEN he could be with Rachel and have a good life.
Only difference is that Rachel would still be alive. Her death was by association, not circumstance.
I completely agree. I don't think Bruce was even portrayed as having this higher-agenda to push Dent to the foreground so he could have Rachel for himself -- he'd have done that with our without his "social life" (
The Long Halloween remember!?) But having said that, it goes back to the way all of Gotham (and the fans, through the virals -- I'm really glad we got introduced to Harvey through the virals first) was truly inspired by Dent's coming. He gave them hope, in a way that even the Batman couldn't, and he was able to give hope
because the Batman existed in the first place. I think that's why Harvey's so important to Bruce as his own friend first, and an ally along with Gordon. Harvey was everything he ever wished he could be, and I think Rachel understood that as well.
As for her death -- I think the Joker was the one who laid it out well: protecting Rachel was something Bruce was conscious of even when he was thinking about keeping that mask of Batman in Begins, so that there are no repercussions. A large part of Batman's mythos involve him not committing to a relationship or to a "normal life" because as the Batman he simply can't risk that. And, when the Joker saw through all that, it was in a way his greatest fear (besides bats) come alive. And that maniac couldn't stop laughing because he'd struck that core nerve. "LOOK AT YOU GO!"
You can't blame Bruce for wanting to have a life out side of being Batman, Being Batman isn't as easier as we've see in the comics prior to Dc's New 52 crap interpretation. Bruce's has had to sacrifice personal attachment in order to keep himself from being vulnerable the problem is that the truth is Bruce does have a heart and Alfred knows it too. And even though Bruce is married to his role being Batman he needs companionship to prevent him from going completely down the path of loner . Ego the need of Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl and Gordon.
[...]
Bane knew that taking Batman head on he'd fail , so he strategical studied him and caused a massive breakout at Arkham Asylum to wear him down and attacked him at his most vulnerable point to beat and break him in his own home.
Exactly. You can't blame Bruce for wanting that normal life, but then again, as the Batman, he cannot commit himself to that. His is
not a normal life. Every single relationship he's been entitled to throughout his life -- parents, lovers, friends (i'm talking about both Harvey and Tommy here) have been dismantled and destroyed and simply put...
denied from him. In
Begins this extends to his mentor figure, so that the only ones truly closest to him are those who are a part of his life-long crusade. That's why Gordon's so important, and why Alfred needs to stay by his side. Honestly, by removing Grayson we're able to appreciate Alfred's role so much more. He has the mission: he can't afford to be normal or humane. Think of the Machiavellian Leader/Prince: he has to suppress his own personal sense of morality and self-redemption for the utilitarian cause; the Greater Good. Granted, Machiavelli explains that self-redemption as religious piety, but we can easily equate that with Bruce's lack of a normal life, or his necessity to break the law. By the time TDK ends, that aspect of normalcy from Bruce Wayne is eradicated completely--he loses his love, his friend, and his life's work--all for the betterment of the city. That's a sacrifice that Batman
had to make.
So no. Even if Bane comes back with a vengeance and destroys him, that willingness to put others before him is something he'll never take away. Even if he shatters the "myth" of Harvey Dent.
You do know that it's not as simple as that, right? Not being Batman is part of what drove Bruce into this crazy, depressed state that he's in at the beginning of TDKR. And given the complexities of both Talia and Selina, we know that it's not going to be rainbows and puppies with both. 
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