V for Vendetta: A Critical Approach - Essay Example

V for Vendetta: A Critical Approach Alan Moore and artist, David Lloyd may well be praised for providing inspiration for generations of individuals with its philosophy of anti-totalitarianism. The graphic novel V for Vendetta has addressed various contemporary issues which the common people face as a result of their own actions: their tacit support which fed power to the Fascist government. The novel focuses on the early 17th century figure named Guy Fawkes who had plotted to attempt a bombing at the House of Parliament. Guy Fawkes is a central figure in the graphic novel as its distinctive mask sported by the character V symbolizes a similar form of anarchy and disobedience as Fawkes aimed to display by planning to blow up the House of Parliament. The novel seeks to reflect a time where the people have given too much power to the government who is now free to exercise its controlling policies that restrict the freedom of people. As a result, the people are engaged more as programmed human beings rather than those that have higher yearnings such as love, aesthetics, art, music, and nature. V tries to gather the people through a process of realization where the people rise in a collective action against the fascist regime. Menzel observes in his book that “A possibile is an object that, while not actually concrete, is nonetheless possibly concrete” (199). This approach of Possibilism is applicable to the emotional discourse used in the graphic novel which effectively communicates the message. So, many elements in the graphic novel including the commitment displayed by the characters V and Evey, uprising of people for revolutionary change, and the lead provided by V and his firm beliefs represent a Possibilistic notion. The character, V’s commitment towards the goal plays a vital role in drawing in Evey and the masses to their objective. In the course of time, V designs a clever plot to develop a realization within Evey and the people so that they know what they have done wrong. This realization also provides them with a direction and the possible course of action. Through a planned scheme, V along with Evey decide to launch an attack on the Fascist government and to influence the people for collective action against the controlling government. From a Possibilistic perspective, the commitment displayed by the characters, particularly V and Evey demonstrate the presence of an abstract ‘object’ which although is not concrete but is yet concrete. That is to say, as V initially went along his plan to lead an uprising against the government, he held a commitment which varied in its intensity and as the movement progressed, he found himself to be more determined to launch an effective assault against the government. Evey, on the other hand, faces times of depression as she distances herself from V and finds her strength renewed after she is caught by the Fingermen. The simultaneous existence of the concrete and the not concrete is reflected by the strength and weakness of these characters at one point in time. Thus, the presence of these two paradoxical notions connect V and Evey with Possibilism. V attempts to rise up against the fascist government and he does this collectively with support from the people. However, before that he gains support for his beliefs through realization where the people are reminded that the conditions they face is due to their complying gestures themselves. Moore chose to cite the quote from Shakespeare’s play Macbeth which goes: “The multiplying villanies of nature do swarm upon him, and fortune, on his damned quarrel, smiling showed like a rebels whore.” This quote from the play Macbeth is used to relevantly describe the public as authors of their own misfortune. Because they easily gave in to the tricks of the government they now face a severely repressive and controlled life where they are deprived from beauty, love, and most importantly, freedom. This idea is particularly emphasized by the line “But all’s too weak; for brave brave Macbeth...well he deserves that name.” This demonstrates V’s stand about the political system and the role of the people in giving in to the political agenda. Thus, V organizes people after having them realized their mistake. Through gradual transformation by bringing about changes within social institutions, V coordinates an uprising which endeavors to change the political system of the country. Thus, V makes an effort to bring about a political transformation and he seeks to achieve this by empowering people by the process of realization. After Evey is caught by the police, she goes through depression and this phase acts as a cue to realize the harsh actions of the government which were being ignored. After he gains support from the people and with help from Evey, he eventually puts his plans into action in a collective attack against the government. This method of societal transformation reflects Possibilism where people rise against the government to change the political system of the country. As V stands up with his beliefs, he leads the people by uniting them against the oppressive political regime. V had been subjected to severe torture in a concentration camp located in Larkhill. The harsh experiences make him despise the political regime and their totalitarian policies which control and oppress people with their power. V had protected Evey when she got into trouble with the police who considered her to be a criminal. The Fingermen were shocked to find V arrive at the scene suddenly and then kill their police. However, Evey is later caught again where she experiences a tough time of her life being tortured and going through depression. This had been V’s plan to let Evey experience what he experienced in Larkhill. After the experience, Evey decides to assist V in an effort to stir an uprising. V directs the people with help from Evey to change the political system so that there is freedom for the people. The authoritarian government had set up a rigid policing system called Fingermen which controlled the people and intimidated them. But V gathered the people and was able communicate their mistake which had brought about this condition on themselves and the country. V engaged in the campaign wearing a Guy Fawkes mask as he tried to start a movement. He wore black gloves, wig, hat, and the Guy Fawkes mask to characterize a symbol of an anarchist who rises against the corrupt system of the regime. The stand taken by V also demonstrates the Possibilistic steps he took for what he believed to be right. Thus, his engagement with the people in a campaign to rise against the regime has Possibilistic elements. V for Vendetta is presents a creatively thematized approach of addressing issues such as corruption, political fascism, and fear created by the government through their police. V who had been tortured in Larkhill develops a hate for the political system of the country where fear and corruption rules. The controlling government who has appointed Fingermen has created fear and restricted freedom for the citizens. V uses the Guy Fawkes mask and plans a campaign that awakens the citizens. He makes a highly organized plan of bombing the House of Parliament and unites the citizens under his campaign to lead an attack against the government. When viewed from the Possibilistic approach, the graphic novel reflects the power of people as they rise for what they thought was right Guy Fawkes mask towards the end which illustrates that V and his ideas have not died. Works Cited Moore, Alan, writer. V for Vendetta. Art by David Lloyd. New York: DC Comics, 1988. Print. Menzel, Christopher. "Possibilism and object theory." Philosophical studies, 69. 2 (1993): 195-208. Print. Read More