A Comparison Between "V for Vendetta" and "1984"
Oppressive governments and the psychological manipulation of the people are the strong themes and warning signs that these two powerful works of art, 1984 and V for Vendetta, attempt to delineate. 1984 and V for Vendetta have their similarities and differences yet their worlds are built around these basic tenets. Yet varying with their degree of control, both the novel and the film depict despotic leaders and repressive governments. Both of these leaders use intricate methods to keep control. Even being in the same genre and heavily borrowing, they still have their wild diversity from on each other. The one of the many differences between these works of fiction and perhaps the most significant one is the fact that the main character in V for Vendetta takes action. The link from V for Vendetta to 1984 grows substantially with each passing scene yet still differentiating itself from the classic novel at the same time Big Brother, with his Stalin- like features, is an iconic figure in George Orwell’s 1984 as is the inner party. Usually visualized as a Totalitarian ruler on that prodigious screen showing only his magnified head, he strikes a strong affinity with Chancellor Adam Sutler. The high ruler of England was an obvious nod to Big Brother as he also chooses to output himself visually in the same manner. The English government is even constructed in similar fashion to the inner party. In V for Vendetta there is a head responsible for each branch of the government such as police or the media. However even within these comparisons, stark contrasts still persist. Big Brother is a mysterious figure that is not known by the reader if he exists at all while Chancellor Adam Sutler is a real and tangible person as shown in the final scene of the movie. Also peoples attitude towards each of the figures vary remarkably. The brainwashed hopeless sacks of skin of Oceania are uncontrollably yet honestly in love with the party and big brother. The English