There is No I in Government

George Washington once said, Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force;
like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to
irresponsible action. With the ability to change society in vast directions, government is the
controlling power of its people. Its power to control our nations economy and law are something
to be feared. However, society will always outnumber government. Society is limitless, broad,
and expanding. Government is small, limited, and finite. For this reason, the general population
should hold no fear in guiding the government in its choices. 1984 written by George Orwell and
V for Vendetta directed by James McTeigue are both compelling science fiction stories, with the
requisite elements of mystery, suspense, and futuristic universe. The book and the movie,
respectively, are much more than simple narratives. Using dark dystopian settings, the authors
show how future societies are instead tyrannized by their fearsome governments who mask
themselves in a utopian ideal. The protagonists, Orwells Winston Smith and McTeigues V,
realize the corrupted totalitarian nature of their government as they plan to break free from their
ruling power. While almost six decades separate these two pieces of fiction, the authors place
both protagonists in a society ruled by tyrannical power, but the severity of oppression differ.
Additionally, the main characters share deep hatred toward their government, yet Winston and V
have different characteristics which affect their influence on society in 1984 and V for Vendetta.
In relation, both Orwell and McTeigue present individuality as a motif, albeit different themes
are illustrated in each stories.
There are parallels between how the regimes govern in 1984 and V for Vendetta, but
there are differences in the strictness of their approach. Both take place in London in a futuristic

dystopian world, oppressed by governments that watch their citizens persistently, searching for
any intent of resistance. This task is carried out by the secret police in 1984 and the Thought
Police in V for Vendetta. Their job is to spy for the government and capture those who are
against the governing power. Thus, fear is instilled in the minds of its citizens, as they are afraid
of the consequences for creating rebellion. Furthermore, the Norsefire Party in V for Vendetta is
constructed in similar fashion to the Inner Party in 1984. The Norsefire Party designates
management for different branches of the government. "The Eye" for visual surveillance, "the
Mouth" for media manipulation, "the Ear" for audio surveillance, and lastly "the Finger" for the
secret police. In comparison, groups in the Inner Party control various sectors in the government.
"Ministry of Truth" for history manipulation, "Ministry of Peace" for conducting war, "Ministry
of Love" for detaining rebels, and finally "Ministry of Plenty" for ration control. The leaders of
these two governments share resemblance as well. In 1984, Big Brother, donning a mustache
deliberately resembling Hitler and Stalin, is the iconic figure that uses telescreens to watch and
keep an eye on citizens. While in V for Vendetta, Chancellor Adam Susan is the supreme ruler of
England and the Norsefire party. Big Brother, displayed as a tyrannical ruler on tremendous
television screens showing only his magnified head, strikes a strong resemblance with Adam
Sutler, as the Chancellor presents himself visually in the same manner. In addition, both
governments rewrite history and control the media as a manipulative method to gain trust from
society. In 1984, the Ministry of Truth rewrites history so that the people would be blind to the
criminal and immoral acts of their government. For instance, this allows the government to
mislead the people on how all social classes are equal. This hinders insurgency from the poor
and civilians in poverty. While the Norsefire party in V for Vendetta does not use this tactic, the

media is still used to exploit the truth. For example, the head of the Mouth manipulates the
newscast to report that Vs terrorism upon the Old Bailey is a planned demolition, to reduce the
spread of revolution. However, contrasts still remain even within these blunt comparisons. In
1984, the Inner Party does not limit itself to watch every single move of residents. Cameras are
installed in every location, even in houses, to make sure citizens do not revolt. In contrast, the
government in V for Vendetta is more permissive on its surveillance. The Norsefire party does
not set up cameras in the houses of citizens, but there are still cameras in public properties.
Furthermore, the police forces act on a different level in 1984 and V for Vendetta. The Fingers
secret police tried to abuse their power by attempting to rape and possibly kill a lonely woman
who was straying at night during the story. Conversely, the Thought Police show no such vulgar
act as they are devoted to the Inner Party. Incidentally, Big Brother is a mysterious figure whose
true nature is unknown to the reader. It is not shown if Big Brother is merely a fabricated idea or
a tangible human being. In contrast, Adam Sutler is a real person as shown, which allowed him
to be shot in the head during the final scenes of V for Vendetta. Most importantly, while the
Norsefire Party and the Inner Party are representations of totalitarian commands, the government
in V for Vendetta is incapable of constraining radical beliefs before they spark. Since beliefs
form the foundation for ideology and ideology gives motive for drastic rebellious acts, the
Norsefire Party is unable to realize the power of belief, which leads it to its downfall. In
comparison, the Inner Party enforced methods to obliterate radical thoughts before they become
powerful. In this case, Newspeak, the official language of Oceania, reduces the English language
to fewer words. Removing words reduces thoughts that question and disobey the Party. Overall,
given these lengthy points, the totalitarian governments in 1984 and V for Vendetta act in a

similar approach to rule its people. In contrast, the Norsefire Party is more lenient on its
strictness than the Inner Party, which ultimately caused Adam Sutlers downfall.
Winston Smith and V are not the archetypical and stock characters readers often expect in
science fictions. As outcasts of society, the protagonists are similar in how both men share the
same belief toward their government, yet their capabilities and actions contrast from their
parallels. Winston and V realize the corruption of their totalitarian ruling power. This rebellious
belief fuels their desire to overthrow their governments. As a result, both men believe that a
revolution will take place if a society rebel against its government because society will always
outnumber government. V broadcasts his Fifth of November speech across Britain because he
knew this fact. In comparison, Winston sees faith in proles in 1984 in creating a rebellion
because they form 85% of the population. However, similarities end when the two men decides
to turn their belief into action. Winston is sick, tired, unmotivated, and weak. In contrast, V is
filled with ambition, and is not hesitant to kill and fight against his opposition. Additionally, V is
open about his severe dislike toward his government. He demonstrates this hatred through
terrorism, fireworks and public broadcasts. In contrast, Winston displays his anger by scrawling
his unconformity on a diary, and having secret affairs with Julia. This substantial contrast in each
mens attitudes and ambition changes the status of impact on their governments differently.
Wintons passive stance leads to his failure, as opposed to Vs aggressive acts against his
totalitarian regime which successfully in cripples the government. Winstons defeat is utter and
absolute. From how the government in 1984 is set up, Winston has no chance to revolt since the
beginning. He is not able to make such difference no matter how determined he is. Most civilians
are even oblivious of what the Inner Party is doing to them. Consequently, V for Vendetta ends

in celebration, because V had the ability to make a change. Instead of a more direct mutiny, V
rebelled indirectly by wearing a mask, keeping his identity a mystery. In contrast, the civilians in
V for Vendetta becomes aware of the Norsefire Partys supreme directorship. Altogether,
Winston and V shared similar belief against their tyrannical regimes, but the difference in their
actions based on their belief created contrasting influences on society.
McTeigue and Orwell presents loss of personal identity as a motif in V for Vendetta and
1984. However, the motif branches off into two different themes in each fiction. The lack of
identity is a large motif in V for Vendetta, and as such, idea is more important than identity is
the underlying theme of the film. V dons a mask throughout the entire movie. His identity is
never shown to the audience, and his background information is made unclear. By hiding his true
identity, V develops into more than just a man. V develops into a quintessence of an idea. Even
after his unfortunate death, Evey does not remove his mask. She realizes even if she removes his
mask, the person underneath cannot pose a greater significance than the sheer idea of V.
Likewise, Adam Susan is merely an old and fragile man. Yet, Chancellor Adam Susan as the
leader of Britain on a big television screen is a vicious and terrifying image. A fierce, powerful
leader is a far more robust than being just an individual. Therefore, McTeigue shows that an idea
is stronger than an identity. V says behind this mask there is more than just flesh. Beneath this
mask there is an idea... and ideas are bulletproof. While an identity is weak, faceless, and is
easily lost, an idea can provoke greatness and will never fade. In contrast, the lack of identity
motif in 1984 conveys personal identity is crucial for a healthy environment as a theme.
Orwell strips identity away from the people living in Oceania. The Inner Party employs methods
such as thoughtcrime to make sure citizens do not stand out and rebel. They believe that people

having personal individuality and identity can create independent thought, eventually sparking
revolution. During Winstons torture, he individual identity is gone when OBrien tells him if
you are a man, Winston, you are the last man... You are non-existent. (Part III, Chapter 3)
OBrien is a manifestation of a totalitarian regime, in that identity must be destroyed to cater the
needs of the Inner Party. O'Brien classifies all people as either sane or insane as he suggests that
this individuality is insanity, which is punishable by death and torture. However, the destruction
of identification transforms unique people into one homogeneous society. At the ultimate loss of
individual thought, Winston is the last man left to take part in a reasonable society. Briefly,
Orwell advocates that the world should not destroy its own identity for the sake of being
humanitarian. 1984 displays the dangerous consequence of a totalitarian rule that eliminates
identity. In the end, V for Vendetta and 1984 introduce loss of identity as a recurring motif.
Granted, McTeigue and Orwell turns the motif into two different themes for each fiction; the
idea is more important than the identity, and the crucial importance of identity for society.
Orwell and McTeigue created satirical predictions of government ruling in absolute
power. Winston in 1984 and V in V for Vendetta realize the similar tyrannical aspect of their
governments, but the oppression of their ruling power is varied. Furthermore, the protagonists
share similar belief toward their society, yet their different capabilities to assert their actions
influenced society differently in the end. Lastly, a motif of loss of individuality is manifested by
Orwell and McTeigue, yet the authors chooses different messages to illustrate two contrasting
themes.