V for Vendetta

1. V for Vendetta

3. "Beneath this mask there is more than flesh... Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof."

4. Overview • V for Vendetta deals with issues of race, sexuality, religion, totalitarianism, and terrorism. Its controversial story line and themes have, inevitably, made it the target of both criticism and praise from sociopolitical groups. • It shows us a dystopian world where political power is above individual freedoms and people are oppressed in the name of unity.

5. ‘People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.’ • V is a man who wears a mask, he is an enigma. His mission is to overthrow an unjust society, by any means possible. • Evey is a young girl who is frightened – she should be…..

6. Main characters- Evey • Evey is a young girl whose parents were imprisoned • She fears standing out • She is ambitious • She wants to be an actress • She has few friends • She works for BTN

7. Main characters - V • V is the man in the mask • He alliterates everything with V • He is passionate about art, literature and music • Pop culture and high culture • He believes in freedom

8. Main characters- Chancellor Sutler • High Chancellor of England • Dirty politics behind his rise • Linked to Three Waters and St Mary’s deaths (look these up!) • Has large secret service and control of everything

9. Main characters – MrCreedy • Head of secret police called ‘fingermen’ • Ambitious and ruthless • Known for his black bags • 1984-vaporized • “ a man seemingly without a conscience, for whom the end always justifies the means” - V

10. Chief Inspector of Norsefire – the party that rules England • Asked by chancellor Sutler to track down V • Fair but pragmatic • Lonely • Begins to uncover unpalatable truths • Believes in justice

11. Gordon Deitrich • Evey’s boss • Older man • Clever, but lonely • Invites young girls to his house regularly – not because he wants to because he has to

12. Key Themes • Power and control • Political freedom • Free speech vs. censorship • Art and literature’s power to lift the human spirit • Totalitarianism • Justice and revenge

13. Valerie’s Letter • Valerie-a young actress and was also a homosexual. • She fell in love with a women and lived with her for many years. • Once Chancellor came to power, homosexuality was forbidden and both Valerie and her lover were taken away. • Valerie wrote a letter on toilet paper, as her last testament, to be found by the next inmate. • Valerie’s letter gives Evey strength and comfort during her imprisonment. • What does Winston’s diary represent? What strength does it give him?

14. Proles vs. Minorities • Both ARE fed false information from media, past records destroyed • 1984: Victory cigarettes, victory coffee (Never the real thing. Julia steals real coffee/real chocolate from a truck heading to the inner-party’s house). • Must attend their weekly meetings/recreation, Physical Jerks, thought police • V for Vendetta: Think of the spoof the BTN did about the Chancellor. The idea that he enjoys a glass of milk each morning. Most families cannot afford luxuries like that. • Curfews, secret police, music, television

15. The Government • How do both country’s governments control their people?? • 1984- 3 Slogans (War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength) • What do these mean?? • V for Vendetta- “Strength through Unity, Unity through Faith” It suggests that belief in the country and loyalty to the chancellor make you a strong, willful person in that country. • England Prevails!