As we have discussed in class, the
letter V in V for Vendetta has
several meanings, such as the number five, the sign of victory Winston
Churchill used to do, among others. This got me thinking about the many other meanings
this letter may have, which is why I looked for the following five meanings
within the graphic novel.
- 1 “the novel revolves around five (V) key “transformations” – the
creation of V himself, the transformation of Evey from victim into active
figure, the descent and reawakening of Finch, the shift of Mrs Almond from
“party wife” (docile, subservient fascist matron) to “fallen woman”/assassin,
and the wider social awakening through rebellion”
- This letter can also represent all the people who were victims of torture by oppressors in the Larkhill concentration camp.
- V can mean villain as V introduced himself for the first time to Evey.
- V within a circle resembles the anarchy symbol upside down. And in the
novel, it becomes a “visual metaphor for the public’s descent into anarchy.”
- V stands for various, for the many meanings it has to it both literally and figuratively.
While I was looking for information about the meaning of V within
the book, I realized that what I was really interested in was not in the actual
meaning of the letter, but in the meaning that people around the world have
given to V’s actions and quest against the system, and the impact these
interpretations have caused.
As a starting point, I believe it is of paramount importance
to keep in mind that out of the five meanings of the letter V in the novel I
just mentioned, most of the real-life manifestations influenced by V are
usually based on the third and/or second ones i.e. people may often feel
victims (oppressed and violated) of the government or other organizations.
The main representative of V’s ideals is Anonymous, a
network of activists who feel oppressed by different entities or who feel the
need of a radical change of a particular aspect that affects their lives and
those of the rest of the world population. Although it exists since 2003, its
proponents have increased exponentially since the release of V for Vendetta
(movie).
Anonymous has summoned those who support their cause in
several opportunities, and this movement appears to have gained strength with
time. The manifestation that represents Anonymous the best is the MMM (Million
Mask March), which is held every year in the fifth of November world widely,
being the 2014 version the most important and biggest one. This version of the
MMM was intended to show the governments the power that people have and to
share ideas regarding the “enemies of the human,” who are those that attempt to
control aspects of people’s lives that shall not be controlled (such as Google
and Facebook’s private information violations, and corrupt politicians who have
made it just to be unjust) as well as to distribute information regarding the
imprisonment of Julian Assange (founder and editor of WikiLeaks). The
participation was tremendous as manifestations were seen in most of the world,
although focused on the United States and Europe.
All in all, I came to the conclusion that each one of us will make from V, the letter, and V, the character what we think suits us better. Each one of us have our own beliefs and ideologies and V for Vendetta teaches us that we always has and will have something to fight for, regardless of what we are confronting, as annonymous has proved countless times through their cyber boycotts.
What does V mean to you? What will you fight for? Or against?
I also invite you to read these two pieces of news to comment about:
References:
Chen, Peter. "Examining V for Vendetta - Film,
Graphic, Novel, and Interpretation." 28 May 2006. Academia.edu. 21
November 2014.
<https://www.academia.edu/1397120/Examining_V_for_Vendetta_Film_Graphic_Novel_and_Interpretation>.
Muise, Chris. Hyperink. n.d. 21 November 2014.
<http://www.hyperink.com/Major-Themes-And-Symbols-Innbspldquov-For-Vendettardquo-By-Alan-Moore-b260a9>.
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