Existential Themes in the Movie V for Vendetta - Essay Example

Existential Theories in Literature 5 May Individual vs. The Herd in the Film V for Vendetta Introduction While not complete with the details and certain pieces of the story from the graphic novel series, the film did touch on the major underlying themes the graphic novel touches on, such as individual freedom over a powerfully united but repressive regime, the rights to liberty of citizens they deserve to enjoy from their government, and the moral good of the individual against collective legalism. These deep and powerful messages, coupled with the film’s exciting choreography and action filled sequences, makes the film adaptation of the graphic novel V for Vendetta just as exciting and interesting watching it as well as reading it. While story and themes of V for Vendetta are usually much associated with philosophy in the area of political and social philosophy, this paper will explore one of the main themes of this story through Existentialism. Specifically, we will explore the existential concept of the Individual versus the Herd from the perspective of Hermann Hesse. From this facet of philosophy, we will relate examine and relate the existential concept of the Individual versus the Herd and the stand of V against Norsefire. Existential Concept of the Herd A story would never be complete without the plot, setting, and the characters or subjects. In the same way, a literary work would not be sufficient if it does not include the different parts of a plot. Normally, a plot would have the following parts: the exposition, which is the beginning of the story. Second would be the rising action wherein the acts leading to the climax is developed. Within this part, the conflict of the story and dilemmas that result to the climax are introduced. The climax, which is normally the highest point of the story since the effect of the conflict, would now reach the tipping point. After which, the events happening after the climax shall be the content of the falling action. Lastly, a conflict resolution would end the plot, and the story altogether. It is to be noted though that each part of the plot does not need to happen in a chronological and sequential manner. What is necessary is that all the parts are essentially present. One can never do away with the conflict. Without a conflict, there seems to be no reason to tell a story. The conflict then is the reason why there is a story in the first place. As with every literary work, there exists a conflict, and around that struggle is where the story would basically revolve. There are various kinds of existential theories in literature; however, this paper calls for the discussion of only one kind. The author of this paper chose to extensively provide an analysis of the film V for Vendetta, in relation to the existential literary theme Individual vs. The Herd. This literary theme is also more commonly known as man versus society. The famous existentialist philosopher Jean Jacques-Rosseau wrote in his masterpiece The Social Contract, “Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.” The herd or the society, in this case, is the persona that keeps man in chains. For the society, the ideology, beliefs and practices of the majority are considered as the common good, hence, it must be followed. In this kind of environment, the voice of the individual should stand in conformity to the community. The stand of the individual who dares to be different does not stand a chance against the influence of the commanding majority. In the film V for Vendetta, the government aims to attain a perfect Fascist Unity. In this kind of society, if you do not conform, then you shall be considered as an outcast, unwelcome, and even tortured for being different. To be or not to be part of the herd would be the ultimate decision that could spell a remarkable difference in an individual’s life. The Concept of Fascist Unity in V for Vendetta “Strength through unity, unity through faith!” Perhaps the strongest message, what would make it the one of the most pivotal theme, in V for Vendetta is its critique of national unity in political, social, cultural and economic aspects through a very fascistic manner. Because of this system there is national strength and order, but at the expense of many civil liberties of individuals. Also, there is an increase sense of nationalism yet cruel and brutal discrimination against individuals or groups who do not fall into the state’s ideological standards and deemed undesirable. In the story, what prompted the sudden political change from a parliamentary monarchy to that of fascism were due to alleged biological terrorist attacks on a school called St Mary’s and a water treatment plant known as Three Waters. This of course led to much public turmoil, confusion and fear in which the Norsefire political party took advantage in taking power. With them in power they enforced with draconian measure to bring economic progress, social order and security. But, as being a government of fascist nature, many certain liberties and expressions of freedom where abolished, such as strict curfews, strict censorship of media and the prohibition of many fine arts and literature. And while it promotes a strong sense of nationalism, it focuses more the preferred ideal of a more superior group of people by race and moral fiber. Thus, anyone who is not of the ideal race group identified by the state, and also does not fall in with the standards of the state’s ideologies, does not deserve the benefits of the state. In the end though, as even in real life history, most fascist governments tend to create an atmosphere of fear among its own citizens to which they can take advantage of, albeit in rather atrocious ways. As this conversation in the movie between Detective Finch and his assistant Dominic goes: Finch: I want to ask a question, Dominic. I don't care if you answer me or not. I just want to say this aloud... The question I want to ask is about St. Mary's and Three Waters. The question that's kept me up for the last 24 hours, the question I have to ask, is: What if the worst, the most horrifying, biological attack in this country's history was not the work of religious extremists? Dominic: Well, I don't understand. We know it was. They were caught. They confessed. Finch: And they were executed, I know. And maybe that's really what happened. But I see this chain of events, these coincidences... and I have to ask: What if that isn't what happened? What if someone else unleashed that virus? What if someone else killed all those people? Would you really want to know who it was? Dominic: Sure. Finch: Even if it was someone working for this government? That's my question. If our own government was responsible for the deaths of almost one hundred thousand people... would you really want to know? Existential Concept of the Individual Ever since, there has always been a conflict between man and society, stemming from the fact that not all people follow the same norm or way of thinking. For some, they believe and employ a moral and ethical system that is contrary to what the society would normally prescribe. For others, they have their own way of arriving at what is essentially true or morally right. What may be a question of truth and morality for one may most likely be different from the other. In this scenario, the man or the individual dares to struggle free from the clutches and norms of society. In Herman Hesse’s works, the protagonist would always be portrayed as the individual who is struggling to find his own niche, his own set of beliefs, thus practicing the freedom of choice that each and every person is ideally endowed with. In Hesse’s works, the individual is daring to be free and wanting to satisfy his own personal lust for self-volition. A specific example would be the character of Siddharta in one of his works, wherein the protagonist escaped the modern and materialistic world in able to live a life of an ascetic who aspired for nothing more than to personally attain nirvana. As with the film V for Vendetta, V, a citizen, struggled to go against the tyrannical and oppressive rule of the present government. He defied what is imposed upon each and every civilian of the citizenry, and pushed forth for a liberal anarchy to happen, something that is contrary to the type of tyrannical government that was being run during his time. The Concept of Liberal Anarchy in V for Vendetta “Freedom! Forever!” – Tagline of the film V for Vendetta. The main character V, as well as Evey and a few other minor characters, represent the spirit and enterprise of democracy and liberalism in V for Vendetta. Although, V takes his actions and belief to a more radical and revolutionary path of anarchy; albeit in a more ideal and noble way. In the film, V’s states that the “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.” From this line, the main hero believes more on the power of individualism in making important and responsible decisions for a person’s life and welfare. This is held in direct contrast and opposition again the collective society that is enforced with fear by the Norsefire fascist political party. Anarchy has been commonly viewed seen as a rebellion or a revolution with no other goal than just the total collapse of government and laws. In V for Vendetta, the main hero V intends to destroy the government not just for the mere selfish whim. For V, Anarchy is a state of a nation without leaders, but not without order. Order is something voluntary to each individual knowing their responsibilities and parameters to their freedom upon themselves and others. This is the reason why V wears the Guy Fawkes mask and we hear his reason for both the mask and his principles during his speech in the film: “More than 400 years ago a great citizen wished to embed the fifth of November forever in our memory. His hope was to remind the world that fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words, they are perspectives.” Conclusion The film V for Vendetta gives an existential lesson that one should respect our own freedom and respect the liberties of others. If a government that is repressive is to label individuals as rebels or subversives just because they promote open-mindedness, free-thinking and being outspoken, that should not stop anyone from being free to live on how they see fittingly with their responsibilities and aspirations. The question of moral rightness may at times be questioned by either side on depending on who is right. But in the end, the side that prevails is the one where their morality does not go against the liberties of others that foster individual accord and understanding and stand against repression and subjugation. Work Cited V for Vendetta. Dir. Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski. Perf. Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman. Warner Brothers Pictures, 2007. DVD. Read More