Psychological and Social Perspectives on Terror, Violence, and a Vulgar Display of Fashion Sense

There is no reason that “V for Vendetta” should be considered controversial. The United States is, I believe, the one place in the world that would be most willing to embrace a masked, middle aged man with a partiality towards explosives and a flair for theatrics as a hero. It’s been done before, and I’d argue that V is, in comparison to Spiderman and Daredevil, much better dressed. Plus he has a wig. And Evey is a half decent sidekick.

There is, of course, the issue of V being a terrorist. That may irk some, but, in all honesty, so might the respective characters Peter Parker and Matt Murdock. One’s a nerd and reject, responsible for the death of his grandfather, and the other is, well, a lawyer. Out of the three, I’d definitely pick the last as the most dangerous. (Have you heard of the McDonald’s worker being sued for putting too much salt in a man’s burger? It's almost as if we're making negative social progress nowadays.)

Then there is the issue of violence. V uses violence, but, then again, Rambo didn’t exactly go around picking flowers and helping senior citizens cross the street either, did he?

The ideals of diversity and individuality are, generally speaking, encouraged in the United States. There is also the notion that “you can accomplish anything you want” and that “one person can make a difference.” These themes can be seen in “V for Vendetta.” V is a man that has had his life ruined, that is different as a result, and that is fighting for the general good of the world. He embodies, although in a roundabout sort of way, all that which we admire.