Can the fact that it does not matter who V is as a man, but as an idea be compared to Alexander? In modern times we can have no idea exactly who Alexander was as a man, but we remember him for the things he did that which can be seen as him supporting his ideals.
I know we haven't talked about it in class, but can the idea Justice and Anarchy as individuals be somewhat related to Boethius's Fortune and Philosophy?
Even though who he specifically was was not important, could the act of V educating and passing on his identity to Eve be seen as a way of making himself immortal, the way heroes relied on history to make them immortal?
Valhalla, the name of one of the chapters, is the what the Norse called their land of the dead right? Is this just chosen because it starts with a V or does it have more meaning?
I also thought the use of Valhalla was interesting. Although I didn't particularly enjoy this reading I thought that using Valhalla was innovative because in the Norse tradition this is the place for people who have been slain in war etc. Especially given that the facist party in this work is the "Norsefire," the author used very creative means of incorporating the Norse tradition into the piece.
Zander, This story reminds me of book three of Herodotus, where after Smerdis is killed (and nobody knows about it), and the Magus brother took over and nobody knew.
Jordann, Yes, Alexander and other historical figures are often remembered for what they represent. Alternately, others suggest that we should forget Alexander or other figures for the negative ideas that they represent. Still, Alexander comes across as more of a personality and less a symbol. Heracles is perhaps a better fit for a symbolic figure representing an ideal--at least as the ancient historians view him.
Katie, I'm not sure what you mean there, but I would love to talk about it sometime.
Shannon, Yes, absolutely V lived on because he was an ideal, much like Heracles in ancient historians. Other people took on his name or identity.
Erin, I think the chapters all start with V, but there is the fact that V asks Evey to send his body via subway under the gov't building to blow it up as a Norse-style funeral. I think that the comparison is between V in his subway car surrounded by his weapons (bombs) as a Norse chief might be sent off in a ship with his weapons nearby.
Krysta, Good point about Valhalla being for those slain in war, another connection to V, since he was at war with the gov't. Yes, the facists are Norsefire--they seem to be Nazi-style bigots believing in racial superiority among their many unattractive traits.
Zander, Good point, the same motif but here with a different narrative purpose.
Jordann Markowitz
ReplyDeleteCan the fact that it does not matter who V is as a man, but as an idea be compared to Alexander? In modern times we can have no idea exactly who Alexander was as a man, but we remember him for the things he did that which can be seen as him supporting his ideals.
Katie Burke
ReplyDeleteI know we haven't talked about it in class, but can the idea Justice and Anarchy as individuals be somewhat related to Boethius's Fortune and Philosophy?
Shannon Potts
ReplyDeleteEven though who he specifically was was not important, could the act of V educating and passing on his identity to Eve be seen as a way of making himself immortal, the way heroes relied on history to make them immortal?
And is "ave atque vale" Latin?
Erin Bradley
ReplyDeleteValhalla, the name of one of the chapters, is the what the Norse called their land of the dead right? Is this just chosen because it starts with a V or does it have more meaning?
I also thought the use of Valhalla was interesting. Although I didn't particularly enjoy this reading I thought that using Valhalla was innovative because in the Norse tradition this is the place for people who have been slain in war etc. Especially given that the facist party in this work is the "Norsefire," the author used very creative means of incorporating the Norse tradition into the piece.
ReplyDeleteKrysta Brown
Zander,
ReplyDeleteThis story reminds me of book three of Herodotus, where after Smerdis is killed (and nobody knows about it), and the Magus brother took over and nobody knew.
Maeve Tischbein
ReplyDeleteDoes "V" relate to the epic heroes we've talked about as far as flaws go?
Jordann,
ReplyDeleteYes, Alexander and other historical figures are often remembered for what they represent. Alternately, others suggest that we should forget Alexander or other figures for the negative ideas that they represent. Still, Alexander comes across as more of a personality and less a symbol. Heracles is perhaps a better fit for a symbolic figure representing an ideal--at least as the ancient historians view him.
Katie,
I'm not sure what you mean there, but I would love to talk about it sometime.
Shannon,
Yes, absolutely V lived on because he was an ideal, much like Heracles in ancient historians. Other people took on his name or identity.
Erin,
I think the chapters all start with V, but there is the fact that V asks Evey to send his body via subway under the gov't building to blow it up as a Norse-style funeral. I think that the comparison is between V in his subway car surrounded by his weapons (bombs) as a Norse chief might be sent off in a ship with his weapons nearby.
Krysta,
Good point about Valhalla being for those slain in war, another connection to V, since he was at war with the gov't. Yes, the facists are Norsefire--they seem to be Nazi-style bigots believing in racial superiority among their many unattractive traits.
Zander,
Good point, the same motif but here with a different narrative purpose.
Maeve,
He certainly has some. ;)