V for Vendetta Book 1 Response
Now that you have read Book 1 of V for Vendetta, please respond to one of the following discussion questions in a 250-300 word response. Your response should be submitted in proper MLA format, use minimally 2 separate citations from the text, and reflect your own original reflection and response to the graphic novel. The purpose of this response is to demonstrate you read the graphic novel and have actively engaged in understanding the text. Remember in a graphic novel that you can quote narration, character dialogue, or even words written in the images themselves. For example, one citation may look like:
When Prothero wakes up in captivity, he finds himself “wearing [a] uniform” and mutters “Oh my God…” to himself when he looks up to see the “Larkhill Resettlement Camp” hanging above him (Moore 29).
If you are looking for some guidelines and suggestions on how to read a graphic novel effectively, please refer to this guide for terminology and suggestions: How to Read Graphic Novels
Book 1 Prompts
1.) Book 1 of V for Vendetta portrays a dystopian England under a fascist government, Norsefire. As we know, dystopian literature aims to present imperfect societies in order to highlight flaws within our own real world. In light of this, discuss what specific elements of society are presented as flawed in this dystopian novel thus far. Explore one specific element in depth or thoughtfully connect how multiple aspects of the society are dystopian in some interconnected fashion. If you feel compelled, feel free to even compare/contrast to other dystopian societies we have studied in Fahrenheit 451 or Station 11!
2.) Alan Moore, the author of V for Vendetta, writes:
“I actually don’t think it’s right to kill people. So I made it very, very morally ambiguous. And the central question is, is this guy right? Or is he mad? What do you, the reader, think about this? Which struck me as a properly anarchist solution. I didn’t want to tell people what to think, I just wanted to tell people to think, and consider some of these admittedly extreme little elements, which nevertheless do recur fairly regularly throughout human history.”
In light of this, discuss whether or not V is crazy or sane. Alternatively, discuss whether or not V is morally justified for any specific action taken during the course of Book 1. Be detailed and thoughtful in your response.
3.) Discuss the motives/values of a specific character (other than V or Evey) in the Norsefire government. Lloyd and Moore have shared that the characters are intentionally “similar in appearance” despite the fact that they all play different roles in the government structure (ie, Nose, Eyes, Mouth, etc.). Select a single character in Book one (again, other than V or Evey), regardless of whether they survive or not, and discuss what makes them unique/what motivates their corrupt behavior.
Rubric ( ___/25 pts)
Writing: 8 pts
Citation Selection/Incorporation: 7 pts
Analysis/Insight: 7 pts
Timely Submission/MLA: 3 pts
