V For Vendetta Symbolism

-V for Vendetta was a work of major cultural importance for over a decade before the 2005 film adaption helped spread the messages and themes of the film worldwide. Originally in publication from March 1982 through May 1989, V for Vendetta is the brainchild of Alan Moore, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest comic book writers of all time. The film centers on V, a terrorist out to destroy the fascist government of dystopian future England. While the film itself makes many important points about freedom, liberty, individual choice, and the damage totalitarian control does to them, what makes this film remarkably relatable to the current cultural and political atmosphere of the world, American in particular, is its ability to unite
The Guy Fawkes mask has a long history, dating back to 1605 and the failed Gunpowder Plot, to its current use as a symbol for protest and the power of revolt. V for Vendetta, by augmenting a preexisting historical figure, has changed the way that the youth of the world protest, both socially and politically, by giving all protesters a single symbol to express their ideals.
A central element of V for Vendetta is the attempted assassination of King James VI and I, commonly referred to as the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Led by Robert Catesby, Guy Fawkes and several others plotted to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of England’s Parliament on November 5, 1605. After the destruction of the House of Lords there was to be a popular revolt in the Midlands, but the plan was foiled via an anonymous letter that one of the plotters sent to warn a fellow catholic and ensure his
For V, too many freedoms have been traded for the so-called peace that the Norsefire party has given England. This speech is his wake up call to all of England. He calls upon the citizens of Britain to take responsibility for what they have allowed to happen to their government as well as to stand up for their lost liberties. This is a direct parallel to the liberties American citizens lost after the passing of the Patriot Act and other similar bills that violate the privacy of citizens. From the onset of the film the Norsefire government is shown to be repressive and hell-bent on instilling fear into its citizens. We open with the corrupt secret police attempting to rape Evey because she was out past her curfew. To further drive home the idea that the government has repressed its people much of the film takes place underground in hidden lairs, with scenes composed of tight close up and medium shots. Both the government and the frame in the first half of this film are strangling the characters, forcing them into tight situations and places with little breathing room. Evey is the character that is meant to act as a stand in for the audience member, as she is the most relatable of the main cast. Just like how Evey has been repressed by the Norsefire government all her life, the audience is meant to feel repressed by