Motifs In V For Vendetta By James Mcteigue

1671 Words7 Pages

In the film 'V for Vendetta, directed by James McTeigue, the use of symbols and motifs accurately helped to deepen my understanding of the idea of power and control. A symbol is an object which represents an idea. To represent this idea, the director had a very challenging job of combining the perfect camera techniques to display what was needed. During V for Vendetta, the symbols that majorly contributed to my understanding of the idea of power and control were the red ‘V’ emblem, the baptism of Evey and V, and the Guy Fawkes mask. These symbols were illustrated through the director's use of camera angles and shots, colour, and dialogue. These camera techniques contributed to the director's purpose of demonstrating the fears controlling the characters and the power they held against them.

One of the main symbols that is seen throughout the film is the emblem of the red ‘V’ within a circle. The importance of …show more content…

She is being cleansed of her fears and sins, therefore cleansing her being. This symbolises that she is pure and true and is in the revolution for moral reasonings. She welcomes the rain and her rebirth with a smile, whereas V is angry. Evey opens her arms as joyful tears and cries escape. V on the other hand emerges in a tense stance and clenches his fists as he yells in rage to the sky, claiming his vow for revenge. The symbolism of Evey’s baptism unveils that she isn't filled with the anger V is, but of virtue and morality. Also, joining the revolution for freedom, not the vengeance V started it with.
This scene, along with the symbolism of baptism, helps the audience understand the characters of Evey and V more as to why they want to rebel. The audience sees their rebirth and the changing of these characters lives as they are reborn. V is powered and controlled by anger while Evey is powered and controlled by integrity. The baptisms in both cases, created these two characters and changed their