How Does Alan Moore Use Allusions In V For Vendetta

An allusion is a literary figure whose content points to a concept indirectly. “It can be used as a straightforward device to enhance a text by providing further meaning, but it can also be used in a more complex sense to make an ironic comment on one thing by comparing it to something that is dissimilar” (Encyclopaedia Britannica). The author uses this kind of technique to point a concept related to the history. However, it all depends on the reader to make a connection with the subject being mentioned. Allusions are very important to suggest specific ideas into the reader’s mind in order to make a comparison or connection to the history that is being read. The writer Alan Moore uses many allusions in the graphic novel V for Vendetta which

This book was written by Adolf Hitler and published in 1925. This book shows how the Nazi party took control over Germany and established a fascist regime, it also makes reference to the concentration camps where the prisoners were retained, and forced to do labor job under inhuman conditions, most of prisoners were either killed or died due to extreme fatigue from the labor duties. For example, In V for Vendetta the story takes place in England. Is easy to see that the Government established is a fascist dictatorship, and uses many methods to control the people as Hitler did in Germany. In addition, there were many people who were imprisoned and judged by the England government because of their color of skin (Black people), sexual preferences (homosexual), and way on thinking (hippies) which makes a reference to what Adolf Hitler did with the Jews. This allusion is very specific because the book was intentionally place in the frame in order to make a reference to other literary work which demonstrated how allusion are very effective to catch the attention of the

However, the reference requires attention to the ideas and emotions associated with a known event or a published work. Allan Moore (writer) and David Lloyd (Illustrator) made an extraordinary work in this graphic novel, they demonstrated that comics are not empty of meanings and that a lot of ideas can be transmitted to the readers. Therefore, V for Vendetta is very interesting and has a lot of meanings depending on the way the reader sees it. In addition, allusions are well used during this graphic novel which made the readers to pay more attention to the details, and look for background information in case that they don’t understand the allusion. Finally, in my opinion the principal allusion is the V symbol which is very similar to the Anarchy symbol. “The goal is to destroy the particular group, and also, the very idea of group, which is envied and hated. In four case examples, members (including the leaders) lost their confidence and faith in groups to the extent to which they were not protected from anarchy” (Richard M. Billow). Consequently, Anarchy allusion is very important because V which is the main character acts according to his ideals, he tried to destroy the fascist regime with revolution and rebellion in order to return the freedom to the people and also to established and Anarchy state where no powerful leader