1984 and v for vendetta comparison essay

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

V for Vendetta vs. 1984: Comparative Essay

Many have pondered with a tinge of sadness on the ephemerality of existence. A man may die, civilizations prosper and decline, but ideas endure without death. They are trampled upon for a time, “yet seldom do they fail of their seed, and that will lie in the dust and rot to spring up again in times unlooked-for” (Tolkien, 294). The power of idea is seen throughout media and literature. Both 1984, a dystopian novel written by George Orwell, and the film V for Vendetta portray a world besieged by poverty, warfare, and totalitarianism. Amongst the turmoil and destruction, V emerges victorious while Winston Smith succumbs to the Oceanian hegemony. Both V and the Party of 1984 succeed - V in the ousting of the government while the latter in its attainment - because they realize that the power of a political or moral belief can transcend that of the individual. V and Big Brother transform into symbols, or embodiments of ideas, through which they propagate their influence. Moreover, they realize that a belief can cause an individual to be audacious to the point of irrationality. Finally, V and the Party are both aware that an idea is more powerful as a collective quality.

Related Papers

Pablo Peláez

Dystopian literature is considered a branch of science fiction which writers use to portray a futuristic dark vision of the world, generally dominated by technology and a totalitarian ruling government that makes use of whatever means it finds necessary to exert a complete control over its citizens. George Orwell’s 1984 (1949) is considered a landmark of the dystopian genre: it portrays a futuristic where a totalitarian, fascist party rules London aiming to keep its citizens under their complete control. This paper will take two examples of contemporary dystopian literature, Philip K. Dick’s “Faith of Our Fathers” (1967) and Alan Moore’s V for Vendetta (1982-1985), in order to closely analyze the influence that Orwell’s dystopia played in their construction. It will focus on how these two works took Orwellian vision of a totalitarian state, the different methods of control it employs to keep citizens under complete control and submission, and how they introduce them into their stories. KEYWORDS: Orwell, V for Vendetta, Faith of Our Fathers, social control, manipulation, submission. La ciencia ficción es uno de los géneros cuye auge se encuentra al alza hoy en día. De entre sus diversas ramificaciones, la literatura distópica es una de las más usadas por los escritores para proyectar una visión del mundo oscura y futurista, dominado por la tecnología y caracterizada por un gobierno totalitario que hace uso de todos los medios que encuentra necesarios para ejercer un control total sobre sus ciudadanos. La novela de George Orwell 1984 (1949) es considerada un hito del género distópico: en ella, Orwell retrata un Londres futurista, gobernado por un partido fascista y totalitario, cuyo mero objetivo es el control total sobre sus ciudadanos. El objetivo de este ensayo es analizar dos ejemplos de la literatura distópica contemporánea, por un lado "La Fe de Nuestros Padres" (1967) de Philip K. Dick, así como la novela gráfica de Alan Moore V de Vendetta (1982-1985), con el objetivo de estudiar la influencia que el modelo distópico de Orwell desempeñó en la construcción de las distopías anteriormente mencionadas. De igual modo, este ensayo se centrará en cómo estas dos obras tomaron las representaciones de Orwell de un estado totalitario, los diferentes métodos de control que éste emplea para mantener a sus ciudadanos bajo un estado de absoluta sumisión y control, y cómo plasmaron éstas representaciones en sus respectivas obras. PALABRAS CLAVE: Orwell, V de Vendetta, La Fe de Nuestros Padres, control social, manipulación, sometimiento.

International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature

Wan Roselezam Wan Yahya Wan Yahya

What is the Human? Australian Voices from the Humanities

Peter Goodall

International Political Anthropology

Drawing on the work of René Girard on imitation, I argue that George Orwell’s 1984 should be read as a work of political anthropology of pressing contemporary relevance. The setting of 1984 is a totalitarian society, but Orwell’s main focus is the rebellious subject and how imitative rivalry and disfiguring critique replicates and even extends the very power it seeks to oppose. This reading is supported intertextually by a shorter analysis of Keep the Aspidistra Flying, wherein the protagonist’s opposition to money – disfigured as the “Money-God” – makes money or its lack omnipresent for him. From this political anthropology of the rebellious subject, I draw the conclusion that critique, social or political, is imitative and is less a revelation than a disfigurement.

Residentes dieciocho veintidós

1984 and Philosophy

Stefan Storrie , Diana Adela Martin

Naomi Jacobs

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Literature 1984

Comparison of "V for Vendetta" and "1984"

Table of contents, dystopian societies: the stranglehold of authority, protagonists: the symbols of resistance, love and identity: catalysts for change, the role of symbols, messages and outcomes, references:.

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

• The Poisonwood Bible
• Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
• Wilfred Owen
• Brave New World
• Inside Out and Back Again
• Huckleberry Finn

Related Essays

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

24/7 writing help on your phone

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

Comparison Of 1984 And V For Vendetta

Save to my list

Remove from my list

Difference Between V for Vendetta and 1984

Comparison Of 1984 And V For Vendetta. (2024, Feb 08). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/comparison-of-1984-and-v-for-vendetta-essay

"Comparison Of 1984 And V For Vendetta." StudyMoose , 8 Feb 2024, https://studymoose.com/comparison-of-1984-and-v-for-vendetta-essay

StudyMoose. (2024). Comparison Of 1984 And V For Vendetta . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/comparison-of-1984-and-v-for-vendetta-essay [Accessed: 19 Aug. 2024]

"Comparison Of 1984 And V For Vendetta." StudyMoose, Feb 08, 2024. Accessed August 19, 2024. https://studymoose.com/comparison-of-1984-and-v-for-vendetta-essay

"Comparison Of 1984 And V For Vendetta," StudyMoose , 08-Feb-2024. [Online]. Available: https://studymoose.com/comparison-of-1984-and-v-for-vendetta-essay. [Accessed: 19-Aug-2024]

StudyMoose. (2024). Comparison Of 1984 And V For Vendetta . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/comparison-of-1984-and-v-for-vendetta-essay [Accessed: 19-Aug-2024]

• 1984 And V For Vendetta Pages: 5 (1494 words)
• Comparison of Themes of Authority and Dishonesty: Animal Farm by George Orwell, And V for Vendetta by James McTeigue Pages: 3 (678 words)
• Values in Monte Cristo and V For Vendetta Pages: 6 (1715 words)
• "Vendetta" and "The Schoolteachers Guest" Pages: 14 (4023 words)
• Analyzing Symbolism and Sociopolitical Commentary in V for Vendetta: A Film Study Pages: 4 (1093 words)
• The Sinister Facets of Control in "V for Vendetta" and "Brave New World Pages: 4 (941 words)
• Ideology of Nazi Germany in V for Vendetta Pages: 5 (1436 words)
• Analysis of the Movie “V is For Vendetta” Pages: 6 (1654 words)
• V for Vendetta Analysis Pages: 6 (1509 words)
• Alternative Future in V For Vendetta Pages: 5 (1480 words)

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

Sample details

• Literature,
• Words: 1101
• Views: 1,402

Related Topics

• Visual Arts
• Contract Law
• Legislation
• Jim Crow laws
• First Amendment
• Fast Food Nation
• Flowers For Algernon

A Comparison Between “V for Vendetta” and “1984”

Oppressive governments and the psychological manipulation of the people are the strong themes and warning signs that these two powerful works of art, 1984 and V for Vendetta, attempt to delineate. 1984 and V for Vendetta have their similarities and differences yet their worlds are built around these basic tenets. Yet varying with their degree of control, both the novel and the film depict despotic leaders and repressive governments. Both of these leaders use intricate methods to keep control. Even being in the same genre and heavily borrowing, they still have their wild diversity from on each other.

The one of the many differences between these works of fiction and perhaps the most significant one is the fact that the main character in V for Vendetta takes action. The link from V for Vendetta to 1984 grows substantially with each passing scene yet still differentiating itself from the classic novel at the same time Big Brother, with his Stalin- like features, is an iconic figure in George Orwell’s 1984 as is the inner party. Usually visualized as a Totalitarian ruler on that prodigious screen showing only his magnified head, he strikes a strong affinity with Chancellor Adam Sutler.

ready to help you now

Without paying upfront

The high ruler of England was an obvious nod to Big Brother as he also chooses to output himself visually in the same manner. The English government is even constructed in similar fashion to the inner party. In V for Vendetta there is a head responsible for each branch of the government such as police or the media. However even within these comparisons, stark contrasts still persist. Big Brother is a mysterious figure that is not known by the reader if he exists at all while Chancellor Adam Sutler is a real and tangible person as shown in the final scene of the movie.

Also peoples attitude towards each of the figures vary remarkably. The brainwashed hopeless sacks of skin of Oceania are uncontrollably yet honestly in love with the party and big brother. The English totalitarianism in V for Vendetta, however, has some disdain from its citizens as well as highly ranked members. You can easily see the lead chief show some questionable looks to Sutler’s demands and we can also decipher that his mindset of the government has somewhat changed after making some crucial discoveries. These thoughts in Oceania don’t even exist and if they do, they are immediately converted and wiped out.

Even though they are much more severe and ruthless in 1984, the tactics used in these societies to keep control are fundamentally and conceptually the same. That’s what essentially drives the most glaring parallels of these two fictional factions. The Norsefire regime, in V for Vendetta, basically practices the same methods used in 1984 in extremely played down ways. It uses mass surveillance to eavesdrop on its citizens through vans patrolling the streets instead of telescreens. It also employed cameras in the public to keep eye on the people.

There is also a harsh curfew in effect at only elven clock and you can only have one channel on the television much like the telescreens. All of these same tactics showed up in 1984 with harsher effects and penalties. The Norsefire regime also borrows from Ingsoc, among other regimes, on how the upbringing of its leader occurred. V for Vendetta showcases how a dictator used fear from recent and future events to take and keep power. The use of mass media for government propaganda also draws comparisons to Ingsoc. The fabrication of recent, or all, events in favor of the regime and slogans of the regime are also direct allusion to 1984.

It is also evident that Norsefire alters history which is a stable of The Party. The party and Norsefire are still, even with all these relations to one each other, are on different levels of Authoritarian subjugation of their respective peasants. The Party citizens are nowhere near the entitlement, how little it may be, of England’s citizens. It is to no revelation that some of the major differences of these societies come down to methods used by the party since 1984 is an extremely implausible novel and there is no society that is on par, whether real or fictitious, with the overbearing Ingsoc.

What also didn’t come as surprise is that by far the biggest inconsistencies within these regimes are the characters and the actions they do or don’t take. Outside of Winston and Julia, but not for long, not a single conscious thought exist in 1984. The predominant Ingsoc has such a deterring control over their subservient minions that they have no freedom in anything, not even their minds. Anyone who has anything near contrasting thought will be hunted down, arrested, and restored. Even the main character can barely hold on to his true feelings before they get tortured out of him.

The whole mood and mentality of 1984 and its characters are completely antithetical to V. The whole movie is plotted around him trying to fire up the people into a revolt against the government with very extravagant explosions. V’s true alignment of whether he is supposed to be a villain or a hero is completely irrelevant to the topic. The fact that he is doing a thing on his free will is unreservedly more important. It is not just V either, there are a slew of other characters that have opposing thoughts.

Gordon and Evey are the other main characters that have these contradictory feelings. Gordon has a whole room of collectables that will get him killed, not to mention being a homosexual, and Evey is helping the terrorist. Even the little girl who said “bullocks” as she watched a fake report on V’s death is an enormous act of rebellion when compared to 1984 Any new work of art that centers on Authoritarianism and totalitarianism will strike resemblance to 1984 since it has lain in the roots of how such a government should function.

But since the book borrowed heavily from factions in control at the time, such allusions can be misinterpreted for 1984 while in fact they were just mean for use in general terms in regards to any totalitarian regime. However a lot of direct references to 1984 are undeniable in V for Vendetta such as the big head in big screen or how similarly are each societies set up among other more obscure nods to the novel. Even the rat in Evey’s cellar might have been a hint to Winston’s confrontation with rats in room 101 . V for Vendetta felt like homage to 1984 while inputting its own taste in the genre of dystopian future.

Cite this page

https://graduateway.com/a-comparison-between-v-for-vendetta-and-1984/

You can get a custom paper by one of our expert writers

• Amusing Ourselves to Death
• Justification
• Rule of law
• Edward Scissorhands
• The Things They Carried
• Pablo Picasso
• Criminal Law
• Renaissance
• man's search for meaning
• Civil rights and liberties
• Harlem Renaissance
• Storytelling
• The Monkey's Paw

Check more samples on your topics

Symbols v for vendetta.

Throughout the film V for Vendetta, various symbols are utilized to convey a message. One prominent symbol is the Guy Fawkes mask, which serves as a reminder of a significant concept. In V for Vendetta, the mask holds great importance as it represents V as an idea rather than an individual; his face remains unseen

Analysis of Film “V for Vendetta” by James McTeigue

Film Analysis

V for Vendetta Essay Analyse how your first impression of a character or individual was later challenged in a visual or oral text. In the film V for Vendetta, directed by James McTeigue, the viewer’s first impression of Evey is that she is vulnerable, feminine and a scared character, who is trapped by her fear

V for Vendetta Graphic Novel Analysis

In V For Vendetta, Alan Moore and David Lloyd throw their readers into the story of an underground protagonists quest to bring down a not-so-distant future dystopia created by an all-seeing British government. As far as plot is concerned, Vendetta is nothing out of the ordinary. Typical elements include an oppressive communist government, a much

Vengeance, Vendetta and Vanity: the Women of a Tale of Two Cities

In this world, there are many things that men may possibly never understand. Time travel… gravity transcendence… and over everything, women, to name a few. In Dickens’ novel, we see just how complex (and simple) women can be. In this paper I will be defending J. F. Hamilton’s “Of Weaving and Knitting”. When reading A

Sociological Theories Applied to the Film V for Vendetta

Theorists are individuals who attempt to describe social phenomenon. What is interesting is that these theories have been around for many years and they can be applied to our current social era. I will apply theories introduced by theorist like George Herbert Mead, Karl Marx, and Emile Durkheim to a film that was released in

Comparison of 1984 and the Handmaid’s Tale

the handmaid's tale

Rebellion for a Better Future Rebellion of an individual occurs when there is a difference of opinion. This conventional trait among society allows diverse ideas to be suggested and added upon for a better future and eventually an all around Utopia. Rebellious attitude is depicted throughout George Orwell’s novel 1984 and Margaret Atwood’s novel The

Comparison Between Between an Irish Rose and Two Gentlemen of Verona of Aj Cronin

American Literature

In the story Two Gentlemen of Verona, A. J. Cronin effectively explores the concept of selfless help and emphasizes the significance of commitment in relationships. The narrative focuses on two young boys, Nicola and Jacopo, who undertake various endeavors to earn money for their sister's treatment, as she suffers from spinal tuberculosis. The story commences

Theme Analysis of Alienation in Books the Catcher in the Rye and 1984

Alienation sometimes called estrangement is a psychological, sociological or Philosophical-anthropological category, largely derived from the writings of Hegel, Feuerbach and Marx. When one is not accepted by society, he becomes an Outsider to everyone around him.Alienation refers to an individual's estrangement from traditional community or others in general (social isolation), the dominant values of society,

Analysis of major characters in 1984

Analysis of Major Characters John - Although Bernard Marx is the primary character in Brave New World up until his visit with Lenina to the Reservation, after that point he fades into the background and John becomes the central protagonist. John first enters the story as he expresses an interest in participating in the Indian

Hi, my name is Amy 👋

In case you can't find a relevant example, our professional writers are ready to help you write a unique paper. Just talk to our smart assistant Amy and she'll connect you with the best match.

how does the novel 1984 and the movie v for vendetta contrast and compare?

V FOR VENDETTA

This is the best resource I could find for you.

http://english-bjackson.blogspot.com/2006/08/comparecontrast-1984-and-v-for.html

http://www.umphrey.org/125/comparing-v-for-vendetta-to-1984/

V For Vendetta Vs. 1984 Comparison Essay

http://www.antiessays.com/free-essays/113383.html

http://www.oppapers.com/essays/1984-And-V-For-Vendetta-Comparing/548335

Log In To Your GradeSaver Account

• Remember me
• Forgot your password?

Create Your GradeSaver Account

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy

V for Vendetta and 1984 Comparison

• Word count: 2307
• Category: 1984 Orwell

A limited time offer! Get a custom sample essay written according to your requirements urgent 3h delivery guaranteed

George Washington once said, “Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” George Orwell’s satirical novel 1984 is based on the life of Party member Winston Smith, a free thinker, and his battle to restore humanity that has been snatched from the residents of Oceani0a since the totalitarian rule of Big Brother. V for Vendetta, a satirical film directed by James McTeigue, revolves around the actions of an antihero named V and his struggles to re-establish humanity in individuals by rebelling against the government’s rule. In both satires, 1984 and V for Vendetta the concept of humanity is exaggerated in the Party’s struggles for power and ridiculed in the influence of the proles, whilst the concept of the oppressive rule of the government is criticized in the relationships between the main characters.

The concept of humanity is greatly exaggerated in the power-hungry attitudes of the Party’s and the mindlessness of the citizens in both V for Vendetta and 1984. In both satires, fear is used as an instrument of power; Big Brother spreads fear through war, and the High-Chancellor does the same by constantly reminding the citizens of the mayhem that use to occur when he did not have power. In 1984, the Party is not concerned about the well-being of its citizens or resources but just wants to exercise total power over their minds. O’Brien says “We are not interested in the good of others… only power, pure power, (78 Orwell).” The main goal of the Party is to snatch the individuality in citizens by making them powerless and mindless drones by having them accept whatever the Party preaches. It does this by forcing humanity into submission on a daily basis by having them live in a state of constant paranoia.

This is done by closely monitoring the actions of every citizen residing in Oceania by cameras on the street and telescreens in their homes; they make sure that every individual does not commit any crimes whether those are of thought or action. Failure to do so means that the Thought Police intervenes and vaporizes the individual committing the crime and erases them from their existence. Therefore the Party forces humanity to submit to them by using fear and paranoia. Thus, there is a very little chance that the individual thought which is a significant aspect of humanity can actually survive because every resident is expected to be fully committed to the Party’s every word. The Party’s exaggerated power hungry mindset is signified in the members of the Inner Party who religiously adhere to the ideologies of the government, which makes them lack humanity and make the Party’s power everlasting. Too much power like this leads to corruption (greed), domination and a totalitarian style of government that steals the individualism of populations.

However, Norsefire’s(the Party in V for Vendetta) rule in V for Vendetta is not as uniform as in 1984, as there is tension and disagreements within the circle which inadvertently represents a small portion of humanity within the leaders. Adam Sutler says “What we need right now is a clear message to the people of this country. This message must be read in every newspaper, heard on every radio, seen on every television… I want *everyone* to *remember*, why they *need* us!” He is trying to brainwash the citizens of London by sending out a false message through the media and wants to reaffirm the fact that he is still very much in charge despite the rebellion from V, which had caused the population to question Norsefire’s rule. Since the arrival of V the population of London has started to lose their faith in Norsefire, and to regain it Sutler sends lies through the media to ensure that everything is still running smooth and that he still very much in charge. This form of rule is an exaggeration of how the government takes advantage of society by capitalizing its the mindlessness by sending out false messages through the media and by not allowing them to have a voice in important decisions.

V becomes the ‘voice of the voiceless’ and picks up on the small portion of humanity that remains in London and manages to start a rebellion that overthrows the rule of Sutler, who has disregarded his people for far too long. Although these leaders may have been selfish in their acts, but V’s rebellion would not have been possible if it were not for the hostile situation between Creedy and Sutler and the sense of individualism within Inspector Finch. Therefore, the presence of humanity in the shape of individualism within Norsefire eventually led to its downfall. Sutler’s government is able to retain their own humanity and do not completely adhere to his ideologies. This presence of humanity and individualism in V for Vendetta allowed for the population to rise effectively and regain control whilst the exaggeration in the lack of humanity in 1984 made it impossible for Winston to successfully rebel and save Oceania. The exaggeration in the totalitarian government style is exactly what makes both the film and the novel a satire.

The humanity of the proletarian populations in 1984 and V for Vendetta is ridiculed to such an extent that it affects their potential to rebel against their tyrannical governments. In 1984, the proles are the only ones with any semblance of humanity in the sense of individualism left in them. Winston sums up the impossibility of them rebelling by writing in his diary, “Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious, (Orwell 74).” This quote reaffirms the fact that the proles are the only ones with the potential to rebel due to their strength in numbers, unity as real individuals and because they are not as rigorously controlled as the other sects currently residing in Oceania. But they cannot because they are stuck in their own paradoxical situations (“Catch-22”) and because they have still not realized the fact that the Party leaves them alone and lets them indulge in children, sex, food and access to the lottery in order to keep them busy and prevent them from revolting.

However, their humanity marks them as what they are: the lower class that is kept ignorant in order to prevent uprisings. The proles are loyal to each other in a way that the Party members can never be, but because they are not concerned with the ideologies that oppress them, they are not aware of how their power could affect the world that they inhabit. In 1984 the proles are only made fun of because although they have the strength to rebel they do not and are too busy indulging themselves in petty concerns, like a lack of cooking-pots (Orwell 73). They are even ridiculed by the arch-enemy Goldstein who dismisses them as divisions of low people who are destined to remain powerless. Big Brother does not concern himself with them and ridicules them as ordinary masses that do not have the intellect for an uprising despite their strength in numbers. Similarly, in V for Vendetta, the proles are dissatisfied with Norsefire, but they do little more than grumble at their lack of saucepans.

The proles turn to their oppressive leaders at a time when they needed security and order, and Sutler is desperate to remind his subjects of this when the Fifth of November nears. However, the proletarians in V for Vendetta do not become aware – V makes them aware that, “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.” Before V burst onto the scene, the proles were very much ridiculed by the government as masses of mindless sheep that adhered to the governments every word and did not have the potential to rebel. After V became recognized, he introduced the concept that governments must be built around the power of the people which brought realization to the proles that they could overthrow the government and have a style of rule that benefited and they found helpful them. Although there is an undertone of conscious discontent among the proles in the movie, none of them openly rebel until V places the power back into their hands, allowing them to decide what to do with it.

Their desires for freedom and independence lead them to don their Guy Fawkes masks and march to see their new beginning born, therefore this significance lead to irony as the same government that ridiculed and underestimated the proles in the beginning of the movie was overthrown by them at the end. The proles in both 1984 and V for Vendetta are powerful and unchanged due to their humanity, giving them an advantage for a potential rebellion. The lower class in 1984 does not rebel, as their humanity alone does not make them aware that there is something for which to rebel. However, the proles in V for Vendetta are able to rise against their government once they have been made aware. The irony and constant ridicule is what makes both V for Vendetta and 1984 great satires.

The government’s oppressive rule is criticized in respected relationships among the characters in 1984 and V for Vendetta between Winston and Julia, and Evey and V. In 1984, the humanity of the relationship between Winston and Julia is a rebellion in itself. The Party does not tolerate loyalty to any other entity other than the Party itself. They vow not to betray each other, because that would essentially betray the humanity that they’ve recovered through the course of their relationship. Winston believes the objective is, “not to stay alive, but to stay human,” (Orwell 174), as their humanity in the shape of freedom of thought is what makes their rebellion, a rebellion. They chose to think for themselves to pursue their relationship by ignoring the orders dictated by the government that love is wrong. Not only do they disregard these orders but they actively pursue them while being fully aware of the consequences of getting caught. Winston and Julia both wanted to exercise their ability of individual thought, and this for them was the ultimate rebellion.

The government is criticized when they are caught by the Thought Police, and tortured in order to rid them of their newfound humanity because Winston and Julia are “cured” according to Party standards and are forced to end their love and rebellion. Similarly, in V for Vendetta, the relationship between Evey Hammond and V has many ups and downs. V becomes an enemy of the Party after theatrically destroying the Old Bailey and Evey is seen with him, which prompts search for her by Norsefire. The relationship between Evey and V is more similar to that of a master and his student than that of two lovers. Despite his kindness to her, Evey betrays V to the priest he is targeting, and threatens his carefully orchestrated rebellion due to her natural instinct of fear. V says, “You said you wanted to live without fear. I wish there’d been an easier way, but there wasn’t”. V tortures Evey to make her strong and to rid her of this fear. Her only solace and source of strength during the torture is her own humanity, and Valerie’s story.

Her humanity is safeguarded by the connection with her prison-mate, and it is due to this retained humanity that Evey does not betray V even after she is told she will be shot. The dignity and integrity that she retains, despite the torture, enable her humanity to make one last stand against the villainy of her captors. This torture is a criticism of the government because it has created such a society that lives in constant fear and paranoia, and the only way to overcome such fear is to undergo sever torture like V puts Evey through. In contrast, 1984’s Winston and Julia betray each other willingly and ardently. In V for Vendetta and 1984, the humanity of the relationships between the characters has different effects despite some similar circumstances such as torture and the opportunity for self-preservation. In 1984, the rebellion is ended when Winston and Julia’s humanity is “cured”, whereas Evey’s humanity is preserved and strengthened, enabling her to pull the lever to set V’s final act of rebellion into realization. This harshness of rule is criticized and exposed during the course of both the novel and the movie which makes both medias satires.

The longevity of power the Party’s hold in the two works is dictated by the exaggeration in either presence or lack of humanity in the shape of individualism; the presence of humanity weakened Norsefire, and defeated it from within, but a lack of it made Big Brother’s power everlasting. The proletarian classes are ridiculed because humanity in the shape of freedom is their strength, but a lack of awareness makes this freedom useless for them in 1984, whereas V gives the masses a sense of awareness that consequently strengthens their uprising. Finally the government is criticized for not allowing love to exist and for creating a society that lives in fear and the only way to rid such a fear is through severe torture until the individual feels no emotions whatsoever. Like George Washington said that, “Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master”, and in 1984 it very much still remained a fearful master but in V for Vendetta it went from being a fearful master to a just a servant of the people. In both medias certain aspects are ridiculed and exaggerated through irony and criticism, which makes them great satires of their generations.

Related Topics

We can write a custom essay

According to Your Specific Requirements

Sorry, but copying text is forbidden on this website. If you need this or any other sample, we can send it to you via email.

Copying is only available for logged-in users

If you need this sample for free, we can send it to you via email

By clicking "SEND", you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We'll occasionally send you account related and promo emails.

We have received your request for getting a sample. Please choose the access option you need:

With a 24-hour delay (you will have to wait for 24 hours) due to heavy workload and high demand - for free

Choose an optimal rate and be sure to get the unlimited number of samples immediately without having to wait in the waiting list

3 Hours Waiting For Unregistered user

Using our plagiarism checker for free you will receive the requested result within 3 hours directly to your email

Jump the queue with a membership plan, get unlimited samples and plagiarism results – immediately!

We have received your request for getting a sample

Only the users having paid subscription get the unlimited number of samples immediately.

How about getting this access immediately?

Or if you need this sample for free, we can send it to you via email.

Your membership has been canceled.

Your Answer Is Very Helpful For Us Thank You A Lot!

Emma Taylor

Hi there! Would you like to get such a paper? How about getting a customized one?

Get access to our huge, continuously updated knowledge base