V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta is a compelling movie which is based in a totalitarian era Britain in which the people are oppressed, somewhat like what the Soviet Union might look like back in the 1900's. V for Vendetta is based in the not so distant future where famine and disease is scattered across the land. The movies stars a mysterious figure named V on his quest to reform an already destroyed society and stop the corruption and oppression of his government. The movie also follows a girl named Evey who mistakeably comes into trouble. But to her favour, V comes to her aid and saves her, which is the start to a companionship throughout the graphic novel and movie.

Heroic Archetypes

It is in my opinion that V cannot be looked at as one specific archetype but a collection of many different ones. V is like a ogre, made up of many layers just like an onion (quote from Shrek), V cannot be catorgorized as just on archetype. V's most abundant trait would have to be his Gothic Hero side. V is a very dark and mysterious hero who fights for the good of the people but yet is looked at by the people as evil and dark created by the evil regime ruling Britain. V also has the same characteristics as for say the Scapegoat, one who suffers for the good of the people. V constantly risks getting killed so that his people will have a brighter future without a corrupt regime in power. Laslty,with the companionship of Evey, V falls for her, getting emotionally attached at some times making him a very Unbalanced Hero.

Symbolic Archetypes

Throughout the film there are very strong symbols portrayed and shown everywhere, from the back alleys of London, to the memories and flashbacks that Evey has. The most important and strongly shown symbols are the colours. Red, white and black are constantly portrayed throughtout the graphic novel and the movie. V is dressed in black costume with a black hat but to offset the darkness he wears a mask of white. The darkness of V's costume shows how V is a very mysterious individual with the viewer or reader knowing very little about V and who he really is. The black also represents the chaos and hate inside of V which is very well known when V is fighting against the government. But yet out of all the black V wears a white Guy Fawkes mask, which symbloizes his constant devotion to the light and goodness of the people. Although V might be looked upon as an evil figure he stands for peace and what is right.

I also noticed that the symbol that V draws is a V with a circle bordering it, this is quite important due to that the triangle relates to the light and constant battle between good and bad, while the circle portrays heaven.

This is just the start of what is to come for my critical analysis on the film and graphic novel V for Vendetta. I still have alot to write about V and Evey's journey throughout the film and more achetypes shown. I would also like to hear feed back on what I might be able to improve on or fix. And I would like to hear some questions you might have about V for Vendetta.

Zachary Sinclair