Similarities Between V For Vendetta And 1984

In a dystopian society under complete government control, most people blindly follow the crowd, but a few individuals realise the corruption for themselves and make a stand against their governments. Both the movie V for Vendetta based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and 1984 a novel written by George Orwell take place in these types of dystopian societies, and feature protagonists who retaliate against their governments. The characters Winston from 1984 and Evey from V for Vendetta are two of these protagonists, they share a similar past and storyline, however both turn out very different in the end based on their societies and characteristics.

Both Evey and Winston had their parents taken away and likely murdered by their governments,

while they were children. They were both raised to believe all the lies their governments told, and as they became adults began to tell the lies for themselves. Eve and Winston both looked and acted like obedient citizens, however a part of them always knew something was not right, but never expressed it. This is likely because both eve and Winston knew a time before their current governments gained power, and both had the cruelty of their governments directly affect them as children. It was the traumatizing experience the two shared in childhood, that without them even realizing it started them on their paths of rebellion.
Evey and Winston both met someone that inspired them to take action towards change, however the ways in which they were inspired are slightly different.

Evey met a man who called himself V. V dedicated his life to getting justice for both himself and others who had also suffered at the hands of the government. Before having met V Evey did not agree with the government but had never considered rebelling. Winston had already been committing small acts of rebellion, like writing in a diary and committing thoughtcrime. It was he met a young woman named Julia whom he fell in love with that he became more passionate about his cause. Julia did not think any change could be made, but she did inspire Winston realize what he had been missing out on in life because of his government. It was this realization that drives him to take for dramatic

action.
The two characters head down very different paths at the end of their journeys.

While they are both tortured and imprisoned, they come out very different people. Winston comes out a mindless drone of the government. He gives into his captors betraying himself and even betraying Julia. Early in the novel Winston says to Julia “ If they could make me stop loving you – that would be the real betrayal” (Orwell #). The fact that Winston says this and does stop loving her highlights his cowardice. During his betrayal of Julia Winston tells his torturers “...Do it to Julia. Not me. I don’t care what you do to her.”(#). This further establishes Winston as a meek and timid character. While he does show bravery in the beginning he is not able to face his fears and fails to hold true to himself and Julia. A truly strong and determined person would not let go of his or her beliefs even in the face of fear or even death. Every, however, emerges a stronger person, than she was previous to her imprisonment. Before she showed fear, was unsure of herself, and often reluctant to act. After her imprisonment, she transitions into a brave individual who is not afraid to do what is right no matter what the cost, even if it means giving up her life. While in captivity, she tells her captur “Thank you, but I’d rather die behind the chemical sheds”(V For Vendetta). She would rather give up her own life than giving away V’s location. Evey’s loyalty to her friend, and refusal to succumb

to her captur establish her as a much stronger character than Winston.
While Winston's succumbs to his fears and becomes just another participant in the oppressive regime, Evey becomes a passionate and brave woman who seeks justice. Winston is an example of how even an individual who is passionate about making a difference can still be so affected by his or her society that he or she can never overcome their fears. Evey, however, is an example of how an individual who has suffered so much at the hands of an oppressive government uses his or her hate of that government to drive him or her into rebellion.