The movie, “V for Vendetta” and the novel, “Nineteen Eighty-Four” are comparable to each other due to the themes they represent. “Fear is the ultimate tool of the government” conveys the theme of oppression and how both societies live in a totalitarian society. This quotation portrays the idea of a totalitarian society not only in the movie, however in George Orwell’s novel, “Nineteen Eighty-Four” as well.
Due to the theme of oppression, both plots have significant symbols which emphasize the fact that the people of that society live in a dictatorial society. In their societies, only the protagonists know that they are living in a dystopian society and want to give hope to the others. Everybody else in those societies is oblivious to the fact they are living in a dystopian society because of the atmosphere in which they are surrounded. In both plots, the setting takes place in London, England even though they both portray the future but in different time settings (1984 and 2040).
One symbol which signifies the fact they are living in a dictatorial society are their propaganda posters. In the film, “V for Vendetta” the government is represented by their poster, “Strength through Unity, Unity through Faith.” In George Orwell’s novel, “Nineteen Eighty-Four”, Big Brother tells everyone how “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength.” Both of these propaganda posters represent the theme of oppression, power and corruption.
Power and corruption are both represented in these pieces of literature by the government. The dictator of both of these governments are seen through telescreens, pictures and posters and both of these governments have an “inner party” which are closer to the leader of the party/country than the rest of the entire population. Since many of these themes are portrayed in each of these pieces of work, people can relate these incidents in our time period as well.
Now that our time period is becoming much more relevant to the film and the novel, oppression is more obvious to relate to than in the past. Being exposed to heavy surveillance and becoming more attached with advanced technology, these pieces of literature has also become relevant in our time as well. These pieces of literature also convey the fact that our time period might also become into a futuristic totalitarian society.
