Similarities Between 1984 And V For Vendetta

Education is a fundamental value of many different cultures. While education is extremely advantageous, it can also be used to spread unethical ideals and biased beliefs. In both Orwell’s 1984 and McTeigue’s V for Vendetta, the protagonists’ imprisonment and tortures are used as a form of reeducation. However, in V for Vendetta, Evey’s torture is with the intent of making her powerful, whereas Winston’s torture in 1984 is with the intent of making him powerless. Both works note the intent of capture for both protagonists, although the outcomes are very different. They also both explore the idea of the protagonists’ knowledge of what will happen to them while being held captive, and it soon becomes apparent that this varies between the two works.

Though the initial imprisonment of both Winston Smith and Evey Hammond is for committing treason against their respective governments’ Parties, it becomes apparent that the planned outcomes of their respective tortures are wildly different.

In 1984, Winston is tortured to a breaking point, after which he is incapacitated. Orwell discusses the final change in Winston when he describes, “[Winston gazing] up at the enormous face [of Big Brother]. Forty years it [has taken] him to learn what kind of smile [is] hidden beneath the dark moustache… but it [is] all right, everything [is] all right, the struggle [is] finished. He [has] won the victory over himself” (Orwell 311). Winston’s experiences in the Ministry of Love, especially Room 101, are his downfall. Winston loses all ability to oppose the Party and is reeducated into believing the Party’s ideals wholeheartedly. This is different from the outcome of Evey’s reeducation in V for Vendetta.

The purpose of Evey’s torture is to her make her stronger, so she can become V’s successor. After Evey’s release from the prison, V tells her, “You [say] you [want] to live without fear. I wish there [is] an easier way but there [is not]” (McTeigue). Valerie’s note saves Evey in more ways than one. It provides her with strength she does not know she has. She realizes that standing up for what she believes in is vitally important. When she reads about Valerie’s refusal to hide away and pretend to be someone she is not, even in the face of severe consequences, Evey is empowered. While both 1984 and V for Vendetta explore the idea of repressing opposing beliefs, there are differences in the respective captors’ motivations to torture their prisoners.
Another stark difference between the two works is the protagonists’ knowledge of what awaits them after their reeducation.

In 1984, Winston is tortured by O’Brien for information about Julia and the Brotherhood, however he is aware that there is no way to prevent his imminent annihilation. His confessions are not to prevent this, but to alleviate his suffering. He even asks O’Brien when he will be shot, to which O’Brien replies, “‘It might be a long time … you are a difficult case. But [do not] give up hope. Everyone is cured sooner or later. In the end we shall shoot you’” (Orwell 287). In Evey’s case, the situation is quite different. Evey is given the supreme ultimatum. If she reveals V’s identity or location, she will be set free. If she does not, she will be executed. In the film, the man who is to take her behind the chemical sheds to be shot tells her, “Look, all they want is one little piece of information. Just give them something, anything” (McTeigue). Evey insists she would rather die, and as a result, she is set free. This freedom is not only freedom from prison, but also freedom from the fear that has been governing her role in V’s revolution until this point. It is the strength she gains from both V and Valerie that gives her the power to lose the fear of death and become a martyr for V’s cause. Though she is initially resentful of V for inflicting her with such anguish, she comes to realize that V is right; she is no longer afraid. In 1984 and V for Vendetta,

the protagonists are held against their will for information and face severe mental and physical punishment if they withhold it. However, in 1984, Winston knows with certainty he cannot avoid death while in V for Vendetta, Evey knows she will be set free if she can provide the information being asked of her.
Orwell’s 1984 and McTeigue’s V for Vendetta both use torture and imprisonment as an approach to reeducating the protagonists. The essential difference between the works are the intents of the captors. O’Brien attempts to dehumanize and weaken Winston while V attempts to empower and strengthen Evey. 1984 and V for Vendetta are both prime examples of dystopian societies with totalitarian governments. Their stunning descriptions of what can happen if personal beliefs contradict government values are frightening and should be used as a caution to be aware of government control.