My fellow Americans,
Today we have voted in a very democratic election that would greatly alter this country’s future. Now, look at the date. Today’s the 4th and tomorrow’s the fifth, right? You know what means, right? No? Well, let me remind you:
“Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot”
That’s right, Guy Fawkes Day is the day after our election day. From democracy to anarchy, huh? And there’s no safer and legal way to celebrate that day than to read or watch V for Vendetta.
When people try to tell the plot of this story they always start with V or Evey. I say the real protagonist here is London. Now wait a second and just listen to me for a few minutes. Right, look at the story, especially the comic version (preferably, by the way.) We don’t follow just one character, we follow multiple characters. V, Evey and the people who work for the government. So the story is not about one person, but many. Also, all their decisions impact what happens to London. So, in a way, this is a story about how badly can we destroy London.
We also need to take a look at V’s famous television speech. He is pretty much daring London to destroy itself. He wants anarchy, rioting in the streets. Pretty that entire Sex Pistols song come to life. V even destroys a statue of Madam Justice in the comic. Of course, that can be interpreted as there is no longer justice in the, so destroying justice is no big deal.
What makes the comic a beloved masterpiece is that is that this can take place in any time period and the events can ring true. In fact, this story can take place in any country and it can ring true. Alan Moore was showing what he feared London was becoming, but plenty of Americans can say they see America becoming like this. I can even name some Italians I know who think Italy is becoming like this.
The characters are also very identifiable. There’s V who represents the anti-government anarchist, Evey who represents the lost soul who turns to the extremist for guidance, the widow who gets screwed by the government and people who are in power who are only looking for ways to screw everybody and make themselves the top dog. If you don’t relate to any of these characters you, sir/madam/ are living in the perfect society.
Of course, Guy Fawkes Day can just be an excuse to blow shit up and that V for Vendetta is a non-traditional comic that non-comic readers like because it doesn’t read like a regular comic. Whichever you believe, Happy Guy Fawkes Day, all.
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