the protagonist
- anti-hero
- resist against an oppressive regime
- strives for freedom, intelligent
- somewhat old-fashioned
- has hideout containing collection of old things forbidden by the government
- sees themselves as (very) righteous
- has a certain appreciation for the state (in V for Vendetta: probably believes in god)
- more of an idea ⇐> regular person
- identity unknown, plays persona called „V” ⇐> Identity known, Winston Smith
- very powerful, good combatant ⇐> powerless against the government
- fight against the totalitarian system by making people aware of their oppression through terrorism ⇐> personal revolution
- leader ⇐> follower
- unknown to the government ⇐> controlled by the government
the world
- totalitarian police state (catholic conservative ⇐> socialist)
- no freedom of speech
- curfews
- state-controlled media, propaganda
- surveillance (in 1984: all-knowing, in V for Vendetta: weaker)
- creation
- in V for Vendetta: a time with lots of problems was solved by policitian Adam Sutler who then created the state and appointed himself high chancellor ⇒ state calls it that they “proved themselves” in a “challenge from god”
- in 1984: not much known since history has been rewritten in a way that The Party has always had power
- TVs / Telescreens everywhere
- dystopian future London
- realistic government ⇐> hyperbole
- infallible government ⇒ in V for Vendetta: state
- staged terrorist attack / war to ceise power
- trying to cover up Vs terrorist act through propaganda
ending
- government is toppled ⇐> government persists
- population rises up against the government ⇐> population stays oblivious
- the male protagonists “die” (in 1984: metaphorically, in V for Vendetta: literally)
- the female protagonists live on, but Evey continues to support V whilst Julia betrays Winston
main message of 1984: “If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.”
main message of V for Vendetta: “Behind this mask there is more than just flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea… and ideas are bulletproof.” / “People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.”