V for Vendetta is a graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by David Lloyd. The first episodes of this comic appeared in 1982. The novel is set in the UK in the 1990's after a nuclear war has all but destroyed the world. The action is set in the near future, in a dystopian society. I chose this graphic novel for my final project because the themes of anarchism versus fascism are very important and relevant to today's society. The society we live in can benefit from reading this book because even though the novel was written over 30 years ago, the struggles of mankind are the same as they have always been. I also think the fact that so many of us in this class chose this graphic novel proves that this graphic novel would be an important addition to the syllabus next semester.
As I was reading V for Vendetta, this panel really stood out to me. In this scene, the policeman Finch is approached by V in an abandoned train tunnel. He shoots at V with a gun. V proceeds to stab Finch in the shoulder with a knife and says, "There. Did you think to kill me? There's no flesh or blood within this cloak to kill. There's only an idea. Ideas are bulletproof. Farewell." I think this idea is very important to the entire work because V represents anarchy and anarchy cannot be stamped out where there is not justice. V is wounded and eventually dies, but the idea is that the people may be killed, but the spirit of anarchy can be passed on person to person.
"Remember, remember, the fifth of November, the gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot". These lines reference the story of Guy Fawkes and his participation in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The Gunpowder Plot was a failed assassination attempt of King James I in which the House of Lords was the be blown up using 36 barrels of explosives. The purpose behind this plan was to gain religious freedom. V, and eventually his protégée Evey, are determined to make a change even if buildings have to be blown up or bad guys have to be killed. They are both determined to call the people of England to action.
Work Cited
Images from https://www.google.com/images
http://www.hyperink.com/Overall-Summary-Ofldquov-For-Vendettardquo-By-Alan-Moore-b260a6
http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-v-for-vendetta/#gsc.tab=0
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