V for Valerie

We get to know Valerie through a hidden letter that Evey finds in her cell. This piece of toilet paper was written with Valerie´s life story, from her early childhood until the last days she spent in that very same cell. In .The letter is one about Valerie's life, the acceptance she sought, the love she lost, and the end of her days. Most importantly, it's about standing up for who you are and what you believe in, and for whatever reason, that really resonated with me.   For me, this was without any doubt the part of the book that touched me the most, as Valerie's message represents reality for many people. 

First we need to understand that in the graphic novel, Society is represented as a "heterosexist society" that will kill people who are queer, or are perceived to be queer through the use of concentration camps like those in which Valerie and Ruth die in, through neglecting their health crises, like AIDS, or through such torture making them confess, conform, and betray those they love, leading them to kill themselves just as Ruth does. A heterosexist society will use numerous forms of violence against its sexual and gender revolutionaries. (Frasure, 2012) Valerie happened to be gay, which was mainly the reason why she was locked up and killed. 

What happens if we try to make a comparison with Valerie's reality and a lesbian woman in nowadays society whose either work, social background, religion or culture does not allow her to be who she truly is. Therefore, she needs to hide behind a mask and lock this essential part of her identity in a cell. Then, she becomes her mask and she loses her self in a lie. As time goes by, every inch of her true self is lost. Until she gives that last inch, "An inch. It's small and it's fragile and it's the only thing in the world worth having. We must never lose it, or sell it, or give it away". (Moore, 1985)

This concept of the "inch" comes up frequently throughout the novel. The most prominent example is the idea of "the last inch of oneself" put forth by, surprise! Valerie. That last inch of you, as presented by the novel, means the power over oneself over circumstances. 

"People can use force to take from you almost anything; they can take your possessions, or they can kill you or your loved ones. But the last part of you, your ideals and your values, cannot be taken; only you can give them up in the face of adversity" (Muise, 2012)

It is this last inch that matters, it must be fought for no matter the cost, and once given, is gone forever. That image speaks to the larger message of the novel. Sometimes. a concentration camp is not needed to lose that last inch. Sometime people just give it up, over fear. Fear of losing things or people that do not compare to losing that last inch.  

"I shall die here. Every last inch of me shall perish. Except one.An inch. It's small and it's fragile and it's the only thing in the world worth having. We must never lose it, or sell it, or give it away. We must never let them take it from us.I don't know who you are. Or whether you're a man or a woman. I may never see you or cry with you or get drunk with you. But I love you. I hope that you escape this place. I hope that the world turns and that things get better, and that one day people have roses again. I wish I could kiss you.Valerie" (Moore, 1985)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chris, M. (2012). Quicklet - V For Vendetta. Hyperink: http://www.hyperink.com/Quicklet-On-V-For-Vendetta-b260

Frasure, D. (2012). V for Valerie: Lesbianism in V for Vendetta. Retrieved from INTER-DISCIPLINARY.NET: http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/at-the-interface/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dfrasure_wpaper.pdf