1984 and V for Vendetta
Compare and Contrast Essay
Comparing 1984 with V for Vendetta
Both 1984 by George Orwell and V for Vendetta directed by James McTeigue depict dystopian totalitarian societies. Both protagonists in V for Vendetta and 1984 wish to overturn their current government. V’s aggressive acts against his government are successful in crippling the government as opposed to Winton’s passive aggressive attitude which leads to his failure. The substantial difference in each protagonists’ aggression and motivation largely influence the end result of each of the governments. In both 1984 and V for Vendetta, the protagonists have specific ways of rebelling against their own government. However, the success of the rebellion depends on the effectiveness of the particular actions that transpire. While Winston uses a diary to write his true thoughts and feelings about the party as a form of rebellion, V uses the act of killing towards important party members as a form of resistance. Although the act of writing in a diary allows Winston to think about anti-party criteria, V’s rebellion is more effective towards the goal to end the reign of his totalitarian corrupt government. Winston writes, “To the future or to the past, to a time when thought is free, when men are different from one another and do not live alone -- to a time when truth exists and what is done cannot be undone: From the age of uniformity, from the age of solitude, from the age of Big Brother, from the age of doublethink -- greetings!” (Orwell, 30). Small acts of rebellion are enough to satisfy Winston. The party has engraved the thought of the party lasting forever into the minds of their own people so deeply, that Winston does not believe that he is to able overturn the party. Due to this fact, Winston releases his angers and thoughts into this diary. Considering the fact that thinking against the party is known as ‘thought crime’, Winston is therefore knowingly going against the party. However, even though
Comparing 1984 with V for Vendetta
Both 1984 by George Orwell and V for Vendetta directed by James McTeigue depict dystopian totalitarian societies. Both protagonists in V for Vendetta and 1984 wish to overturn their current government. V’s aggressive acts against his government are successful in crippling the government as opposed to Winton’s passive aggressive attitude which leads to his failure. The substantial difference in each protagonists’ aggression and motivation largely influence the end result of each of the governments. In both 1984 and V for Vendetta, the protagonists have specific ways of rebelling against their own government. However, the success of the rebellion depends on the effectiveness of the particular actions that transpire. While Winston uses a diary to write his true thoughts and feelings about the party as a form of rebellion, V uses the act of killing towards important party members as a form of resistance. Although the act of writing in a diary allows Winston to think about anti-party criteria, V’s rebellion is more effective towards the goal to end the reign of his totalitarian corrupt government. Winston writes, “To the future or to the past, to a time when thought is free, when men are different from one another and do not live alone -- to a time when truth exists and what is done cannot be undone: From the age of uniformity, from the age of solitude, from the age of Big Brother, from the age of doublethink -- greetings!” (Orwell, 30). Small acts of rebellion are enough to satisfy Winston. The party has engraved the thought of the party lasting forever into the minds of their own people so deeply, that Winston does not believe that he is to able overturn the party. Due to this fact, Winston releases his angers and thoughts into this diary. Considering the fact that thinking against the party is known as ‘thought crime’, Winston is therefore knowingly going against the party. However, even though