V for Vendetta
Remember, remember the fifth of November of gunpowder, treason, and plot.
Key words
- Satire: a humorous way of criticizing people or ideas to show that they have faults or are wrong
The play is a satire on corporate culture.
- Tyranny: government by a ruler or small group of people who have unlimited power over the people in their country or state and use it unfairly and cruelly
This, the president promised us, was a war against tyranny.
- Iconic: very famous or popular, especially being considered to represent particular opinions or a particular time
Scenes of Parisians dancing in the streets remain iconic images from World War II.
- Plot: a secret plan made by several people to do something that is wrong, harmful, or not legal, especially to do damage to a person or a government
The police have foiled a plot to assassinate the president.
- Effigy: a model or other object that represents someone, especially one of a hated person that is hanged or burned in a public place
Crowds marched through the streets carrying burning effigies of the president.
Read the article to find the answers
- What has Alan Moore been called?
- Who was the iconic mask worn by V based on?
- Who did Guy Fawkes try to blow up?
- What did children used to make for Bonfire Night?
Alan Moore
Alan Moore is an English author best known for his comic books V for Vendetta and From Hell, and has been called the best writer in the history of comic books. His characters are widely known throughout the world. A film adaptation of Moore's V for Vendetta was released in 2005. Moore was quoted as saying that the comic book was:
"specifically about things like fascism and anarchy. Those words, 'fascism' and 'anarchy', appear nowhere in the movie. It's been turned into movie by people too scared to set a political satire in their own country."
V For Vendetta (2005) Official Trailer #1
V for Vendetta
V for Vendetta is set in a dystopian future version of the United Kingdom, where a fascist regime known as Norsefire has taken control. The story follows a character known as V, who wears a Guy Fawkes mask and attempts to overthrow the oppressive government.
V's actions are portrayed as driven by a desire to restore freedom and justice to society. He uses various tactics, including acts of terrorism, to awaken the people and encourage them to rise up against their oppressors. V's ultimate goal is to inspire a revolution and bring about a society free from tyranny.
Alan Moore transformed the image of Guy Fawkes into the iconic mask worn by V, which has become a global symbol of rebellion associated with the activist group Anonymous, known for its cyber attacks on governments and corporations.
Guy Fawkes
Between 1533 and 1540, King Henry VIII took control of the English Church from Rome in the English Reformation. This marked the beginning of several decades of religious tension in England. After Henry's death, Catholics violently persecuted Protestants throughout Europe and made several attempts on the lives of Protestant rulers.
Guy Fawkes, was the most infamous member of a group of English Catholics who unsuccessfully attempted to blow up the House of Lords in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The failed conspiracy aimed to assassinate King James I of England along with the Protestant government leaders, and restore Catholicism.
Bonfire Night
November 5th is known as Bonfire Night, Fireworks Night or Guy Fawkes Night. The tradition of remembering the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 with bonfires and fireworks began soon after the plot was discovered and is still common throughout the U.K today.
Traditionally, children would make "Guys" - effigies of Guy Fawkes - to be burned on the bonfire on November 5th. The word "Guy" soon came to mean a strangely dressed person, but now it's just another word for a man.
Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- Who wrote your favorite comic books?
- Have you seen or read V for Vendetta?
- What do you know about the English Reformation?
- Do you have something like Bonfire Night in your country?
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