Summary Of The Novel 'West And The Rest' By Stuart Hall

1467 Words3 Pages

The War on Terror is a complex mixture of varying viewpoints and opposing arguments. However, what is heard in the media cannot always be trusted according to Stuart Hall. In “The West and the Rest,” Hall conveys the concept that a person in power can use said power in order to convince audiences of their own ideology further known as the “Regime of Truth”. This perspective is translated into Alan Moore’s graphic novel V for Vendetta as he portrays a strict London society in which the voice of one individual governs the people’s beliefs. Using Halls definition of the “Regime of Truth,” I will analyze how the visual and textual evidence in V for Vendetta illustrates underlying references about the War on Terror. “The West and the Rest” discusses …show more content…

The well-known voice of Fate convinces the people in the society they are living for the greater good. In chapter four the author makes a reference in which is related to Hall and his concept of the “West” and the “Rest” as the novel states that its either “us or them.” This phrase was also employed in “The West and the Rest” itself as Hall describes this is a way in which a division in a society is created. In V for Vendetta this divide is between those in government positions and the members in the society who blindly follow their corrupt ideals. People in the government represent the superior “West” as described by Hall and those individuals like V who disagrees with their ideals are categorized as the “Others.” However, Fate is not the only one with a discourse. V in disagreeing with the society portrays his own discourse as he is striving for a change that can only be completed through radical actions. In V for Vendetta the audience learns of the disgusting habits the priest has adopted. Moore illustrates the priest as an older gentleman who finds pleasure in raping little girls. This is a prime example of how someone uses their power for the worst. The priest has his own “Regime of Truth” in which he preaches his discourse to a large audience. His discourse is the significance of living a sin free life however; he does not practice in what he encourages others to. This concept furthermore illustrates how a person in power can display what appears to be an accurate idea but uses his power for an alternative manipulative purpose. On page 37, the seventh panel shows an accurate description of what the “West” would be considered in this novel. The way that the panel is illustrated the main figures face is illuminated. The panel also depicts that there are a variety of hands in which are hailing and saluting him. This action

Show More
Related

  • The Address Of August Spies Analysis

    1107 Words  | 3 Pages

    Through the quotations he deploys, imagery he enacts and authoritative tone he embodies, Spies very deliberately takes control of the Courtroom showcasing that no matter the circumstances the collective will prevail. Spies recognizes that the trial is his condemnation so subsequently he seizes the opportunity to condemn the State of their fate as a result of their injustices. Through his willingness to sacrifice his own life to propel his convictions Spies not only makes a statement to the Court but further strengthens the concept of class-consciousness within the masses. Furthermore, signifying that there indeed “will be a time when our [their] silence will be more powerful than the voices you [the State]strangle today.”

    Read More

  • 9/11 Informative Speech

    1371 Words  | 3 Pages

    Host: On September the 11th 2001, the notorious terror organisation known as Al-Qaeda struck at the very heart of the United States. The death count was approximately 3,000; a nation was left in panic. To this day, counterterrorism experts and historians alike regard the event surrounding 9/11 as a turning point in US foreign relations. Outraged and fearful of radical terrorism from the middle-east, President Bush declared that in 2001 that it was a matter of freedoms; that “our very freedom has come under attack”. In his eyes, America was simply targeted because of its democratic and western values (CNN News, 2001). In the 14 years following this pivotal declaration, an aggressive, pre-emptive approach to terrorism replaced the traditional

    Read More

  • Irrational Terrorism Essay

    646 Words  | 2 Pages

    In today’s society the word “terrorism” has gone global. We see this term on television, in magazines and even from other people speaking of it. In their essay “Controlling Irrational Fears After 9/11”, published in 2002, Clark R. Chapman and Alan W. Harris argue that the reaction of the American officials, people and the media after the attacks of 9/11 was completely irrational due to the simple fact of fear. Chapman and Harris jump right into dismembering the irrational argument, often experienced with relationships and our personal analysis. They express how this argument came about from the terrorist being able to succeed in “achieving one major goal, which was spreading fear” among the American people (Chapman & Harris, para.1). The supporters of the irrational reaction argument state that because “Americans unwittingly cooperated with the terrorist in achieving the major goal”, the result was a widespread of disrupted lives of the Americans and if this reaction had been more rational then there would have been “less disruption in the lives of our citizens” (Chapman & Harris, para. 1).

    Read More

  • Close Readings of Historical and Fictional Narratives of Conspiracy Theories: Challenging the Dominant Narrative

    2768 Words  | 6 Pages

    Conspiracy theories have gained a greater discourse in the twenty-first century. Fictional narratives, Hollywood blockbusters, television series and documentaries, and many other pop culture mediums have used conspiracies to spin tales and capture an audience. In this essay I would like to argue that the dominant narrative of a historical event exists because the elite have the power to manipulate and transform it. The group in power values a hegemonic society, perpetuating certain myths in order to create social cohesion within a nation. As a result, conspiracy theories challenge the dominant narrative. This challenge is how subscribers use conspiracy to attempt agency over the elite. I will use the sinking of the Titanic and Don DeLilo’s novel, Libra, to demonstrate how the elite fight for narrative control and how a close reading of these narratives is necessary to evaluate conspiracy theories.

    Read More

  • Real Enemies By Kathryn Olmsted

    1154 Words  | 3 Pages

    Olmsted presented research that gives the reader a new view of history. Real Enemies is a compelling book that answers a question; how far will our government, a political party, politician, or influential person go to carry out their agenda? This accomplished historian sheds light on this dark topic in our country’s political history. Olmsted reviewed events from World War I to 9/11 with examples and facts from well-known and reliable sources. She presented an argument showing how real evidence has influenced conspiracy thoughts over the years.

    Read More

  • Review of War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning

    1755 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Hedges' first chapter of the book titled, "The Myth of War," he talks about how the press often shows and romanticizes certain aspects of war. In war there is a mythic reality and a sensory reality. In sensory reality, we see events for what they are. In mythic reality, we see defeats as "signposts on the road to ultimate victory" (21), Chris Hedges brings up an intriguing point that the war we are most used to seeing and hearing about (mythic war )is a war completely different than the war the soldiers and journalists experience ( sensory war), a war that hides nothing. He states, "The myth of war is essential to justify the horrible sacrifices required in war, the destruction and death of innocents. It can be formed only by denying the reality of war, by turning the lies, the manipulation, the inhumanness of war into the heroic ideal" (26). Chris Hedges tries to get the point across that in war nothing is as it seems. Through his own experiences we are a...

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Movie V For Vendetta

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    When viewed by most people, V for Vendetta is just another film about rebellion. To others, it’s a wakeup call to do something about their government and fix the country; even if no one acts on their wakeup call. The two main questions viewers may ask are, why is it so easy to relate and root for a terrorist? And why would the government be fine with a movie that calls them out in multiple ways?

    Read More

  • Alan Moore's The Watchmen

    1623 Words  | 4 Pages

    Allen Moore’s sordid depiction of twentieth century life presents a complex world, where the distinction between a virtuous hero and a villainous wrongdoer is often blurred. In stark contrast to the traditionally popularized portrayal of superheroes, whose unquestionably altruistic motives ultimately produce unrealistically idealized results; the realistically flawed characters of Watchmen exist in a multi-faceted world characterized by moral ambiguity. America’s imperialistic ambitions have long been justified as an expression of American idealism. Much like the portrayal of superheroes in popular culture, America’s intervention in foreign affairs was portrayed as the result of a clearly defined problem, where American intervention was necessary and consensual. The Watchmen exist in an American reality that does not depend on them as the archetypal hero as demonstrated by the fact that their presence is not necessary to the survival of the world.

    Read More

  • Fahrenheit 9/11

    1745 Words  | 4 Pages

    Michael Moore’s latest film, “Fahrenheit 9/11,” presents a critical look at the administration of George W. Bush and the War on Terrorism. In this film Moore investigates the rapid growth of the United States government and its trend of trampling the rights of individuals, and the corporatism that is spawned out of the close ties between big government and big business during wartime. Michael Moore may not convince all audiences, but is successful for its factual accuracy in which the evidence spoke for itself, and at the same time proclaimed Moore's artistry in transposing and splicing scenes to create impressions that supported his allegations and opinions. Michael Moore has employed two main techniques in an attempt to successfully influence his audience; psychological means of strategy, and cinematic techniques of persuasion. These methods, coupled with how they are presented to the audience, and how the audience react, are what Moore uses to create a scheming effect.

    Read More

  • Batman and the Bush Administration

    1125 Words  | 3 Pages

    Smoke billows out from a Manhattan skyscraper, damaged by a fiery explosion. This could easily be a scene from 9/11, however we see Batman looking grimly on as a poster advertises the film will be released soon. Clearly this film plays on the fears of terrorism. As depicted in The Dark Knight, the Joker plays the terrorist, while Gotham’s leadership struggles to contain him. The film departs from the superhero ideals of pure good versus pure evil, showing a murky world where moral decisions have to be made in order to stop evil. Because of this, The Dark Knight seems to be an allegory for the War on Terrorism. This paper will look at how the Joker represents terrorism, while Batman represents George Bush and his administration’s War on Terror.

    Read More

  • Freedom Is Freedom Rhetorical Analysis

    970 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1984, George Orwell repeatedly presents the government’s slogan “War is Peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength” (3). The significance

    Read More

  • The Protagonists in the Novel 1984 and Film V for Vendetta

    902 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the novel 1984 and the film “V for Vendetta”, the protagonist for both stories are captured while performing various acts of rebellion against the totalitarian government, of which is controlling their city. In punishment, the government tortures them with harsh, inhumane methods that are similar to those used in dictatorships during the 1900s like the USSR under Stalin’s rule. However, both protagonists are tortured by different sides, and by people from completely opposite ends of the political ladder: one a government agent, the other a rebel. Although the themes disclosed in relation to the purpose and meanings of torture are similar, the overall message and final opinion that is expressed and conveyed to the recipients are complete opposites.

    Read More

  • The Writings of George Orwell

    1027 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of George Orwell’s most significant goals as a writer was to receive recognition for his works. Orwell achieved his aim by projecting his political perspectives into fictional works such as 1984 and Animal Farm. His position against totalitarianism is strongly evident throughout his novels and even today Orwell’s works still seem relevant because of the fear of totalitarian governments perpetuated by the media and the recent democratic uprisings in the Middle East against dictatorial regimes. In this essay, I argue that Orwell’s reasons for writing, as he outlines them in his essay “Why I Write,” is to seek literary fame and he found that through incorporating political commentary into his writing; in doing so, Orwell successfully turns his political thoughts into a form of art. Using 1984 and D. J. Taylor’s article “Left, Right, Left, Right,” I will also discuss briefly how Orwell’s novels can apply to contemporary political situations.

    Read More

  • Explore the Theme of Reputation in 'The Crucible'

    1329 Words  | 3 Pages

    In conclusion, Miller uses the theme of reputation like a puppet master controlling every person in Salem and affecting their choices and decisions. Moreover, the necessity to have a perfect image of oneself in the village is such that it is fear of judgement that drives their good behaviour rather than true belief in their religion.

    Read More

  • George Orwell´s Big Brother Analysis

    1459 Words  | 3 Pages

    In society today for the most part, people are free to speak freely, connect with friends and family and stay in touch with what’s happening in everywhere. It’s not unusual think that everyone enjoys the same rights and privileges but in reality this is not so; in some parts of the world speaking one’s mind could result in death, broadcast agencies are forced to have their reports approved and leaders strategize wars and alliances like seasoned chess players. This might all sound very disheartening but is in fact tame compared to the literacy works and ideas conjured up by English author George Orwell in his novel 1984 which depicts fictional life under the cruel and all seeing “Big Brother” regime of futuristic London. During his lifetime growing up with the examples of a Soviet Union and Nazi Germany and later through his military experiences, Orwell witnessed firsthand how easily people could be manipulated and the truth become twisted. It is for this reason that George Orwell’s novel 1984 is an important work of literature because it discusses timeless themes like democracy, censorship, and politics which have all remained highly debated topics in society today.

    Read More

More about Summary Of The Novel 'West And The Rest' By Stuart Hall

Open Document