Essay Question Ideas - V

The essay question I have chosen is
“Discuss the role that Illustration can play during periods of political and/or social upheaval."

I knew as soon as I saw the list of questions that I was going to enjoy this one the most, as there is nothing that simultaneously intrigues and pisses me off more than politics. One of the main reasons I wanted to study Illustration was to further explore and understand the role it plays in regard to how we develop as a society and a species over time. To me, illustrators are the modern equivalent of the jester in the King's court. This medium is one of the few that will always talk back regardless of who is in charge, and those in charge have never been able to stop us from doing just that. Just as the jester was allowed to say what he wanted without being executed as others may be, artists are allowed to say and express what they want about the world and nobody can cut our heads off either.


V For VendettaV for Vendetta is a look into a world that is basically our own but turned up to eleven, without all the pomp and pretense giving us the impression that we are 'free'. The idea that we are all free to do whatever we want is constantly presented to us in reality tv shows, advertisements and social media, when these are the very things that shackle us from doing anything but what we want. In this graphic novel Alan Moore presents a world that is controlled entirely by a fascist dictatorship, inspired by his experiences living in Thatcher's Britain. The book explores the idea of total freedom being ultimately terrifying, as much as we all may think it is what we want. The protagonist, Evey, remarks "It's just how life is. It's what we've got to put up with. It's all we've got. What gives you the right to decide its not good enough?" The 1980s were a time when a lot of people lost faith in their governments. mainly due to Thatcher and Reagan and the emerging focus on protecting number one and the death of community values. V for Vendetta shows us what could be possible if we were too to 'decide it's not good enough.'

The hacker group Anonymous uses the imagery and messages of V for Vendetta in its campaigns, and is a worldwide recognised organisation. Their ideology is an example of the social impact this graphic novel has had, inspiring millions to stand up and take action when they've had enough.