Similarities Between 1984 And V For Vendetta

Human degradation due to unjust, socially inequitable practices is a great share of what proves a strong comparison between the text Nineteen-Eighty-Four by George Orwell and the film V for Vendetta, directed by James McTeigue. By boldly choosing to work with the theme of human degradation in their works, both Orwell and McTeigue have the ability to connect with their readers on the level of ideas, experiences, values and beliefs. Though life today is not the same dystopian nightmare that both Nineteen-Eighty-Four and V for Vendetta were set it, some aspects of the stories are still relevant and relatable. Properties such as the matter of paranoia, unfair restrictions, family structure and sexuality, are credible examples of the human degradation that still occurs in this very day and age and assist in creating a solid connection to the reader or viewer.

The distinction in the way that conduct is controlled in the two societies varies significantly between Nineteen-Eighty-Four and V for Vendetta, although the laws that are imposed are not all that different. In Nineteen-Eighty-Four, the civilians

of Oceania are extremely fearful of doing absolutely anything that is not routine. Even altering their path to work is reason enough to be detained for thoughtcrime. The commandments are so meagre that the paranoia that is attained by the people of Oceania and Airstrip One is colossal. In contrast to V for Vendetta, the city of London stood by incredibly strict laws that were taken very seriously. The restrictions that the citizens had to abide by made it easier for them to know when they would be in trouble if they decided to break these orders, and they were made well aware of the consequences that their actions would produce. The most prominent example of this custom was the curfew imposed on the general public, disallowing them to leave their homes after a certain hour at night. The readers could feel a somewhat deep connection to these themes as quite a few of them would feel the burden of the heavily imposed laws today.

In both societies displayed in V for Vendetta and Nineteen-Eighty-Four, the police always appear and the law is essentially enforced at night. By looking into this further, it can be seen that this is also an invasion of privacy towards the innocent citizens. In today’s day and age, people go home at night and feel safe in their own homes, they have the freedom to do whatever they are doing in their own space, and feel comfortable doing it. In addition to this breach of privacy, nighttime is the time is often when people are most vulnerable, because it is generally the time of day in which people sleep, and get a good night’s rest in preparation for the next day. When readers, more specifically teenagers, notice that they too might have a curfew in which they need to be home which is imposed by authorities such as their parents. Others may relate to the idea of somebody having a close eye on them, such as Big Brother does in Nineteen-Eighty-Four, which is also a violation of privacy.

In Nineteen-Eighty-Four chastity is very strongly promoted, and in V for Vendetta “normal” heterosexual families intact, and unlike Nineteen-Eighty-Four, homosexuality is mentioned and is not permitted. In Nineteen-Eighty-Four families consisted of no more than an accepted marriage and the children that they were anticipated to produce for the good of the nation. These children were instructed throughout their lives to be questionable everyone, not matter who it was, even if it was their own parents. It was expected that they would turn in whomever they alleged to be a thoughtcriminal. On the other hand, in the movie adaptation of V for Vendetta, McTeigue does not go into depth about gender normalcies, although in the short clips shows of the “standardised” families, there is no exposition of homosexuality or anything outside of mother, father and children. This topic can connect with the reader on many levels of ideation, experiences, beliefs and values as homosexuality is still a heavily disputed topic in which many have struggled with on both sides of the tug-of-war.
In Nineteen-Eighty-Four, Winston is committing thoughtcrime by having his secret diary which he knows is not allowed but does it anyway, and in V for Vendetta, V is committing violent crimes and emitting demolition in the means of justice.

Committing crimes is an enormous theme displayed in both variations, although shown very differently at that. V is a very fierce and hands on person who finds creative ways to prove his point. He also finds ways to murder the guilty in a fair way for the good of humanity. Winston Smith on the other hand, is not physically violent, but commits thoughtcrime by withholding his diary, which he knows is well beyond legal in Airstrip One. This can be related to readers in the way that they could feel a strong connection to both characters here and sometimes wanting to break the rules for their personal beliefs, because that is how humans

are.

In Nineteen-Eighty-Four, Winston end up dying, figuratively, leaving behind everything that he once stood for. He feels a strong adoration towards Big Brother and is compelled to follow the rules. Whereas in V for Vendetta, V sticks by his morals and does so until his very death. Alike Winston Smith’s admiration for big brother, V falls in love with the heroine of the story, Evey Hammond. He died fighting for what he believed in the connection with the readers is shown on the premise of them believing in what they think is right and arguing, doing something about their case until they physically can’t anymore, until they reach their limits.

Through the topics of laws and restrictions, the police and privacy violations, homosexuality and family structures, crimes being committed, and deaths, Orwell and McTeigue connect with the experiences, ideas, values and beliefs of their readers when exploring human degradation due to these unjust, socially inequitable practices.