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Similarities Between V For Vendetta And 1984

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Overcome, Perish, 1984 and V for Vendetta
Alan Moore and George Orwell’s stylistic writing choices and parallels between fascist governments and the methods used to oppose them in their pieces “V for Vendetta” and “1984” with the use of rhymes and television to represent a biased sense of view and salvation left in history, and how the Party uses their own symbols to repress that salvation.
1984 and V for Vendetta both take place in a Great Britain controlled by a totalitarianistic society with non conformist characters who take on that society with a unique approach. Winston Smith uses a private rebellion between himself and Julia as his nonconformity against the Inner Party. In V for Vendetta, however, V’s take on resisting the Norsefire Party is very direct and outspoken to the public. In their own ways, they both hide their hatred for the Party. Winston himself keeps his meetings with Julia hush hush in Mr. Charrington’s room, while V’s identity is never revealed, always wearing a mask. Symbols play a key role in establishing the stories of Winston and V. 1984’s chant for the Brotherhood is the “Oranges and Lemons” English nursery rhyme refers to the bells of churches in London that extends on by people who matter to Winston; and everyone who betrays him. Mr. Charrington gives him the first piece, but is revealed to be a part of the Thought Police, Julia, who betrays him at the end of it all before her mental death, and O’Brian, who instead of his savior becomes his torturer. The Fifth of November is also a rhyme that’s based off real events, referencing Guy Fawkes’s failed plan to blow up the English Parliament on November 5th, 1605. Both rhymes are tied into Great Britain and a passion that varies between the protagonists, providing them with their only link to the past. Television is also a main symbol for the government’s control- both the telescreens in 1984 and the telly in V for Vendetta broadcast only the Party’s views and bias. Gordon, a side character in V for Vendetta, airs his uncensored skit on television as an unintentional way of oppressing the glorification of Chancellor Sutler, before being killed and dragged away from his own home. The slogans for both the Inner Party and the Norsefire

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