Analyzing The Graphic Novel 'V For Vendetta'

Since its launch in 2006, V for Vendetta has been at the centre of a heated debate. By dealing with crucial issues such as totalitarianism and revolution, the film makes us question not only our position in society and our presumed freedom of choice, but also the characters’. They apparently live normal lives, but are they really free to think and to decide for themselves?

As paradoxical as it may seem (to most), it proves difficult to condemn terrorism and have a consistent, non-hypocritical way to judge it. Most definitions of terrorism lack the applicability of all instances of terrorism, there seems to be borderline exceptions which fall within the gray area of such definitions. Stephen Nathanson, in an effort to establish what makes terrorism wrong, bases one of his main arguments on that terrorists are thought to be dreadful because they intentionally seek innocent deaths, while others who kill innocents do so unintentionally (15). In this essay, I shall argue that Nathanson’s definition of innocence, which is mostly used as the core gauge of why terrorism is morally unjustifiable, is badly restricting in that it excludes the cases of political assassinations. Consequently, this insinuates that when using his definition of innocence, attacks on political figureheads may be morally justifiable if it is done for a just cause. To support this thesis I will argue that, although, political assassinations do not involve the killing of innocents they are, in most cases, morally unjustifiable contrary to what Nathanson’s argument insinuates. Moreover, I will consider how Nathanson may reply to my contention by objecting that political figureheads cannot be innocent given their political position and will address his rebuttal by demonstrating that within the context of society most of us are not innocent.

In the world that we live in right now, anything is possible and that is for the good and the bad. Like represented in the novel, “1984” by George Orwell, the party used technology to make a whole new society that goes by the rules of the party, which just means that anything that the party does is justifiable because they are the ones making the rules and anybody who doesn’t obey them gets “vaporized”. Another example of the government controlling the people and invading their rights for the benefit of the government is the movie “V for Vendetta” directed by James McTeigue in 2006. After reading “1984” and “V for Vendetta”, some might wonder if our

Terrorism is an act of violence, usually done in the public sphere, which is used to incite fear in a population in order to coerce change in public opinion or a government’s position on an issue. In many parts of the world, groups wage war with their countries, either to separate from the government or to overthrow it entirely. Sometimes these people are treated unfairly by their government, and their struggles are justified. Other times, these groups use violence against both military and civilian targets, terrorizing innocent bystanders to get what they want—these groups are terrorists. Often, though, it is difficult to tell the difference.

The word “terrorism” was first used during the French Revolution when British statesman Edmond Burke used the term to describe the actions of the Jacobin-dominated French government. Under the leadership of Maximilien Robespierre, thousands of people that were said to be enemies of the state were put on trial and then executed by use of the guillotine (O 'Connor, 2006). However, since the inception of the word, it has taken on a new meaning. One can now hear the word “terrorism” and be overcome by anger or even fear. Terrorism now seems to have turned to attacks against a government rather

V for Vendetta, by Alan Moore, outlines a man’s quest for revenge and desire to change the society in which he lives in. The novel is set in England in 1997. The country has been consumed by war, famine and disease, and in response the government seizes the opportunity to gain complete control. England becomes a fascist dictatorship, offering the citizens a promise for peace and safety in return for their complete submission. The people resign to an enforced contentment, and decline to fight for their freedom.

“People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people.” In an authoritarian government, the citizens listen to their director because they have this fear within them, that if they do not do what is asked of them they will face consequences. But in reality, the citizens have power over the government and the government is the one that is living in fear. At any moment someone can threaten the government. This has been seen through terrorist acts such as 9/11 terror attacks, and this has been demonstrated in the movie V For Vendetta. In the movie V For Vendetta, V attempts to bring freedom and justice into a society that has been corrupt from having an authoritarian government. He threatens the government and tells them a year in advance that he will blow up the most important building in their city, but the government was not able to stop him. V wanted the city of London, England to have freedom and rights, free press, and to no longer have to live in fake fear, all three which are factors of an authoritarian government. In V For Vendetta, it is displayed that the citizens have no rights and freedoms, the media is controlled by the government, and that the government creates fear.

V for Vendetta is one of the famous graphic novels in England which was written by Alan Moore and David Lloyd in 1988. Many people debated after they had read this book about V's actions -the main character and they keep debating it until now. Some people say that his actions are not justifiable. He is really a terrorist, not a hero as people think. He killed many people, even though, he forced Evey in the terrible situation, that is to make her become a prisoner. However, contrary to them, a lot of people else give their opinions that his actions are wholly justifiable. He helps people escape the bad things, helps them find freedom in the bad living and makes Evey becomes stronger day by day. To prove that V is a hero or really a terrorist,

In V for Vendetta, the distinction between criminality and heroism is nebulous. Evey’s, the Fingermen’s, and the viewer’s judgments, towards V and his actions all yield potentially different verdicts. Depending upon ones orientation and sensibilities it is either the Fingermen or V who represent unbridled evil. The film invites us to question whether morality is absolute or relative. Moreover, due to the shifting plot lines the viewer’s judgments on who is good and who is evil are challenged. Our evolving perspective on right and wrong tells us much about our values, our ambitions, our fears, and our fantasies.

In the movie V for Vendetta, the Social Commentary covers real world problems and totalitarianism. The whole movie was totalitarianism versus anarchism. It wasn’t V’s vision for total anarchy, but a government that didn’t restrict people’s basic rights and freedoms. In the movie, the political party that is in charge is called the Norsefire, which is a totalitarian party with totalitarian views. V represented the rebellion and anarchy within the movie while the government was totalitarian, and led in strict leadership. In the movie they also show xenophobia, which is the fear towards foreigners. Anti-immigration and deportation in the movie can be argued back and forth like how it is in the real world. There’s religious intolerance within the

2a) Describe the differences between the fascist Norsefire government’s and V’s anarchist view of a “healthy country.” How do Norsefire and V define the role of the government and the role of the citizen differently?

V blows up populated buildings, he murders heartlessly, and even manages to torture the closest person to him, Evey, until she views the world as he does. Although V’s actions are done in spite of the greater good, being the only one bold enough to take on the Norsefire, by definition, V is still a terrorist. He is guilty of all these actions, but V is still viewed as the “good guy.” A terrorist wants all others to believe in the same way that they think, just as V did with his idea. The question

It’s a title with a strong letter used as somewhat like a alliteration to exaggerate the ideas within this film, ‘V for Vendetta’, directed by James McTeigue, this defines what the true meaning of injustice which seems to be over exaggerated through action, sci-fi and thriller scenes. ‘V for Vendetta’ is a type of film where in a future, where there was a British tyranny or corruption in the government, a shadowy freedom fighter plots to overthrow it with the help of a young woman. This film shows the message of the best advice is to stop fighting it and embrace the fact that you have been given an opportunity if you chose to view it with a different set of eyes. And yet there will be many who miss this opportunity as they feel a false sense of security operating in the belief systems that harbor fear, anger and hate rather than letting go to face the very emotions that enslave them.This film uses fancy quotes or catch phrases, with a strong act of violence in acting around the main character(s), especially the protagonist ‘V’ and to the eventuality, ‘Evey’ at the end of the story. Special effects and the fanatical costume visuals (with the famous Guy Fawkes mask) all is used intently to make the audience with a tint of exhilarance, to make them think, what does this mean? What is the idea that V is trying to show in injustice? Through elements found in the film I’ve found that,......

Symbols are used to signify values and ideas, carrying meaning beyond that which appears to be described. Political symbols, in particular, represent the ideals that define a society, and as such, are compelling forces. Some such symbols can be used to instill fear in people and subdue them to allow corrupt regimes to continue to asserting their dominance in a society and maintain control. In the face of such injustice and oppression, other political symbols can, arguably, carry an even greater value, as they can give strength to the marginalized, giving them an emblem under which they can express their ideals. Simple objects can hold such power since the ideas they symbolize are timeless, transcending a single

V for Vendetta is set in the future in England and it depicts the events following a major world war, terrorist attacks and large amounts of degradation within the nation and world. The government that is in power is at first shown as the standard postindustrial government that uses media to inform the people, and in most cases, spread their form of propaganda. The government prides itself in being efficient, in maintain control and the safety of its citizens. The film slowly shows how the government took power and how its use of power resembles a model like Weber’s. To take power, there had to be a party that could seize power, this is where the bottom line focus came in. The seizing power used fear, but they use of terrorist attacks committed by