A cheer for terrorism

The movie “V for Vendetta” is surrounded by controversy. In the United States, particularly, it was received in a strange manner. V for Vendetta was a box office hit; it drew in audiences from many different backgrounds. I find it very interesting that in a post 911 United States, a movie celebrating a terrorist or terrorist action could do so well. That’s what V was right, a terrorist? The graphic novel and movie both persuade the audience to sympathize with this terrorist, and they did. Despite weekly terrorist warnings, we cheered for V.
V is a character who is fed up with the controlling government of England, I would argue that our democracy does not have far to travel to be in the same place. Today we are living in a country, under a government that places personal freedoms at the bottom of their priority list. We have been told that sacrificing some personal freedoms is necessary to preserve general freedom. Today my emails may be read by the government, my personal correspondence may be opened and any international calls that I make may be listened to. Is this freedom of speech? I don’t think so, and in fact I think it is incredibly dangerous to surrender these rights because of what they may mean for our existing rights now in the future.
Having said all of this I go back to the point about the success of the film. After 911 the country banded together in the name of “freedom” Americans allowed extra controls to be placed upon them because they were scared, and because they thought that these controls would make it possible for our freedom to prosper. At the same time, however, they went to cinemas and cheered for a man blowing up government buildings and rejecting the government’s fierce controls.

V for Vendetta Controversy

With the United States government the way it is today, it is no wonder why V for Vendetta causes so much controversy throughout the country. However, because the book was published in 1988, while the movie came out in 2005, it seems to me that the movie would cause more discussion rather than the book. This is because the movie is more recent, and especially since September 11, 2001, the United States has been very sensitive to anything having to do with terrorism.

I have actually not seen the movie yet, but if the idea of terrorism is depicted as strongly as it is in the book, then I can clearly see why some Americans may not be comfortable with it. Terrorism is a very, VERY touchy subject these days, and deciding to produce a movie that is based on the ideas of fascism and terrorism is a very bold step, in my opinion.

While I have heard many wonderful things about the movie, I can’t help but think that some people may not like all that they see. The main topic of the story is that the government in England wants to become fascist, and even though it does take place in London, rather than the United States, it still hits close to home. The apparent protagonist, “V,” is the terrorist. This is odd…the “bad guy,” the one who is killing people and blowing up buildings, is really made out to be the “good guy.” It makes the reader, or viewer, wonder…”Are they saying in this case, terrorism isn’t such a bad thing?”

And until I finish reading the book, I’m not exactly sure how I personally would answer that question.

Controversy over V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta is not a subtle statement. It is not delicate or restrained. On the contrary, from the very beginning of the novel the theme is quite clear. This story is a bold statement about freedom vs. fascism. While it is easy to choose a side while looking at the words, in reality the lines between the two become blurred. Where should the public’s liberties be limited? Does “safety” qualify as an acceptable excuse to take away certain freedoms? V for Vendetta addresses all of these questions through the magnetic persona known only as “V”. Although the story may seem like fiction, the threat of fascism is constant, even today.
In the aftereffects of September 11, 2001, these same questions over freedom and rights were raised just as they always are whenever controversial decisions are made regarding public policies. That is why the movie version of this novel created such a stir. At the same time average citizens were wondering whether racial profiling or the patriot act were indeed lawful, a movie was released with the underlying theme of anarchy. This novel parallels reality in so many undeniable ways it is easy to see why many individuals were uneasy when watching it. Additionally V is a terrorist. He literally incites terror into individuals. However V is supposed to be seen as the hero. I have never been one to fight fire with fire. It doesn’t seem to work and the cycle of animosity tends to continue. However the power of an idea like V ‘s in a situation as dire as Norsefire is commendable. He realizes that anarchy is only the beginning. After the chaos, growth will come.

V for Vendetta Controversy

V for Vendetta is controversial in that it shows and even endorses terrorism. V is the hero of the story, yet he does horrible things in the name of freedom. He uses violence to promote social change and brutality to spread his message. I may be wrong, but I don’t think that is a view America in general promotes. America does not want to see terrorists as anything but foul and evil and definitely doesn’t want people to empathize with them. America does not want terrorists viewed as freedom fighters or patriots of any kind.

V for Vendetta is also very anti-government. V is constantly attacking the government and their principles. He is a vigilante that will stop at nothing to bring down the oppressive rule of the fascists. V claims the system doesn’t work and thinks killing it’s leaders is the answer. Obviously, America does not condone this type of behavior and doesn’t want any one getting ideas about revolution and revolt from this movie.

V is an anarchist that believes “justice is meaningless without freedom.” He takes everything to the extreme and makes the government look ridiculous, which is not what the government wants to be portrayed as at all. He is always one step ahead of the “good guys” and the government doesn’t like that at all.

The point of the book is to make people think and warn them about what might lie ahead if they continue doing what they are doing. Of course this book (and movie) are going to be viewed as controversial, isn’t that the point?

Graphic Novels = Delightful

Despite its basic similarities with a comic book, the graphic novel is a deeper, more mature blend of text with visuals. This alternative gets the best from both the written and film realms to form a creation with the ability to easily see into characters’ heads while still using the impact of close-ups and facial expressions.

One important difference between a graphic novel and a narrative is the capacity to go for several pages without any words at all. In a traditional novel, an author can simply cease dialogue; he is unable to stop composing sentences altogether. However, a graphic novel can and often does incorporate pages of simply pictures. This helps focus the reader on the important visual features of the story and forces one to connect with the characters more. V for Vendetta has quite a few examples of this technique, such as pages 163-164, when Evey is released from “prison”. The lack of text magnifies Evey’s shock – the novel is just as speechless as Evey herself.

A graphic novel’s plot line also progresses more quickly than a narrative, making it less tedious to read. Rather than taking time to describe scenes and flashbacks, a graphic novel can simply show them, while the text can then move at a faster pace through the story. On 156, when Evey is reading Valerie’s letter, the visuals show what Valerie is describing and make the story seem more real. In a narrative, the letter would not have quite the same impact, because it would be more difficult to make the reader connect with Valerie’s life.

Overall, the visual aspects of the graphic novel add to the intensity of the story and help it move more quickly and efficiently.

America Misrepresented

There are many reasons why V for Vendetta would be seen with controversy by Americans in our present day and age. However, I find it far more interesting and enlightening to examine the controversy the book created at its original time of release. In order to do so, it is necessary to take a quick look at the time period and at some of the events that had recently occurred.

The book began being conceived in the year 1981 and was released in 1988. During this time period, America’s President was Ronald Reagan, and Margaret Thatcher was elected as Britain’s Prime Minister in 1983. These two leaders generated a healthy friendship between their two free countries as they resisted the totalitarian advancements of much of the rest of the world. The two governments worked to prevent the very thing that the book portrayed happening to their countries. It is easy to see how the book could create dissension in the U.S., because the book implies that the U.S. has turned on Britain.

Another reason that the book created an abundance of controversy was because of some of its central ideas and themes. The main character, “V,” is a terrorist, yet he is glorified and justified. He acts out through violence, illegal acts, and manipulation, yet the author works to persuade the reader to take his side because they sympathize with his cause. He rebels against authority, yet at the end of the book the reader finds himself being satisfied with V’s success and justifying his acts because of the results that ensue. It is easy to see why U.S. citizens could become angry with the storyline and central ideas of the book. Everything that America stood for was contradicted and then justified.

Controversy in V for Vendetta

There will always be something in every piece of literature or work of art that rubs someone the wrong way. There are several possibilities in V for Vendetta that could create quite a controversy. The aspect of the graphic novel that I assume would cause the most stir would be how Christianity is portrayed. Bishop Lilliman is seen as the figurehead of the Church by Londoners in the novel, while in fact he is merely a puppet used by the government and answering directly to FATE. The Bishop uses his power as a public figure to spread the government’s propaganda. This portrayal of the Bishop and Christianity in general, can be seen as controversial, particularly in the United States, a predominately Christian state.

Another thing that can be seen as controversial, also centered on Bishop Lilliman, is the inclusion of pedophilia. Even though it is construed in a negative manner in the novel, the connection between the Church and pedophilia is enough to cause a stir of its own. With the recent news of inappropriate conduct within the Church, often involving choir boys, the novel is probably as controversial today as when it was first released if not more.

The portrayal of America in the novel is far from kind. America is seen as a cause for the bed of destruction that allowed a fascist government to thrive. Another possibly controversial aspect of the novel is the fact that the Cold War ended badly with America losing. Americans don’t like to be losers.