Student Question
How does the movie V for Vendetta relate to the book 1984?
Quick answer:
The movie V for Vendetta relates to the book 1984 as both are critiques of totalitarian governments, focusing on oppressive regimes (Norsefire vs. Inner Party), secret police, and state terror. Both depict leaders' intimidating images (Adam Susan vs. Big Brother) and feature protagonists (Evey, Winston) who suffer state cruelty. They explore privacy invasion, use rhymes linking to the past, and involve torture by experienced terrorists. Unlike 1984, V for Vendetta offers a revenge fantasy with a mentor guiding to state defeat.
Yes, the graphic novel series V for Vendetta by Alan Moore is very much like the novel 1984 by George Orwell.
- Both works are Juvenalian satires against totalitarian governments, namely the controlling parties (the Norsefire party vs. the Inner Party).
- Both works focus on the cruelties perpetrated by the secret police.
- Both works focus on the fear spread by a leader's intimidating, ubiquitous face: (Adam Susan vs. Big Brother)
- Both works focus on the spread of state terrorism against the common public.
- Both works focus on Great Britain as a country in the crossfire of terrorism from within and outside.
- Both works focus on a common man (Winston) and woman (Evey) who become victims of the state's cruelties.
- Both works focus on the invasion of privacy by the state against the individual ("Eye" — the agency that controls the country's CCTV system in V; the telescreens in 1984.)
- Both works focus on rhymes as links to the past:
In V, it's: "Remember, remember / The fifth of November / The gunpowder treason and plot. / I know of no reason / Why the gunpowder treason / Should ever be forgot."
In 1984, it's: "Oranges and lemons, say the bells of St Clement's, You owe me three farthings, say the bells of St Martin's."
- Both works focus on the torture of their protagonists by an experienced terrorist (V, O'Brien).
- The main difference is that in V for Vendetta is revenge fantasy. In it, we have a hero, V, who guides Evey to defeat the state.
- V tortures Evey as an initiation into the underground, and it makes her stronger. O'Brien uses the imaginary underground (Goldstein) as a lure to torture Winston, and it defeats him.
- 1984 ends with Winston becoming an unperson: he has no mentor or guide. In fact, who he thinks is his guide, O'Brien, turns out to be his torturer.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.