Most people see V for Vendetta as a fun and action packed film with defying motives, what people don’t realize is the underlying anarchist symbolism. Relating to a historical anarchist, Guy Fawkes, V, the main character intends to ingrain the fifth of November into the audiences minds.
In order to persuade followers and make London realize what the governments true intentions are, V has decided to broadcast a city-wide speech. Throughout this speech he argues his point quite well, presenting each type of argument and the three modes of persuasion.
V’s speech starts off as an introduction, relating to the people, and then continuing on how the fifth of November is an important date to remember. To begin persuasion, V, shows how he is just like them and not some crazy terrorist. V says he appreciates the comfort, security, and tranquility of the everyday life, “just like many of you do.” This relation exhibits the mode of persuasion, ethos, which establishes his credibility in that he is a normal everyday “bloke.”
He continues on with his speech to inform London that their own words cannot be silenced, that the citizens will always have the power of speech, to tell truth. V then questions the country and whether or not there is something wrong with the way it is being governed. This presents a forensic argument in that whether the country is being fair, or unjust to its people. It reminds the people of London that they still have the power, and can just obtain it by speaking up. V presents evidence by saying “men with guns will soon be on their way” which reveals the mode of persuasion, logos.
The brilliant anarchist then presents a forensic argument by saying “cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression.” An evaluation argument is also raised by the fact that he is saying that the people are guilty, which brings forth praise or blame upon themselves. This shows London how much their own freedom of speech has been taken away and how it is their own fault for falling silent and evolving into conformity. The form of persuasion, pathos, is introduced by instilling fear of being silent and perhaps the government.
Next, V goes on to say that the people of London had good reason for throwing away their own freedoms without realizing it. This brings about the argument, evaluation, internally within the audience dealing with whether or not their “silent, obedient consent” was the right thing to do. The purpose of showing London this argument is to exhibit how persuasive propaganda can be and without knowing it you can be caught up in something you didn’t realize was happening. The people of London were then under the mode of persuasion, pathos, because fear of “war, terror, disease” presented itself. Naturally the only logical thing to do at the time was to submit to the government to “rescue” them, which is the form of persuasion, logos.
Lastly, V presents all three types of arguments. He creates an evaluation argument for the people of London, on whether or not they should agree or disagree with him. Also V talks about justice and freedom being a perspective, which presents a forensic argument. Lastly he mentions to the audience that he wants the fifth of November to be a date everyone will remember. V asks the London people to join him in one year to create a memorable night, which is using the type of argument, means to an end. He uses the mode of persuasion, ethos by establishing his credibility as being the one who destroyed the Old Bailey. V also plays on the audiences emotions by using the form of persuasion, pathos.
In his short segment broadcast all over London, V seems to present a well-thought out argument. He uses persuasion and presents logic that the London people seemed to forget. V shows that he, along with them has forgotten what it was like enjoy the freedom of speech, and is desperate to obtain it back. He ingrains in the audiences minds the fifth of November, resembling Guy Fawkes, and brings about a much needed revolution.