Lens Study  Feminism: a movement that strives for equality among man and woman.  Focuses on equality in the work force  Reducing and eradicating instances of domestic violence  Raising awareness about the patriarchal undertones in our society  Patriarchy: a society ran/dominated by males and male ideals.  Some feminists argue that patriarchal society values women only in terms of their beauty, i.e. “objectification.”  Objectification: essentially, viewing women as objects rather than individuals. Believing that their only value rests with their physical attributes. A feminist approach to graphic literature would involve:  Noting how the portrayal of females in comics has changed over time (or how it hasn’t changed at all) including the way they are dressed, their dimensions, their poses, their dialogue, their interactions with others, etc.  Once you have made an observation about the way a character or several characters are depicted in comic books, you can develop an argument, and support that argument with evidence.  For example, from the two previous images, one might make the observation that Cat Woman has always been objectified in comics, and her sexual prowess remains emphasized while her other abilities are downplayed.  Today, objectification of female characters persists. The irony is that many fans and artists claim that they have “equaled” the playing field for male and female characters, while in fact quite the opposite is true. Read the article at the following link:  http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/09/22 /starfire-catwoman-sex-superheroine  On the most basic level, whenever we read a comic, simply ask yourself, “have women been objectified in any way throughout the course of this graphic novel?”  Additionally, how and why are they treated differently as compared to the male characters in the comic book?  For example, in fantasy, many women are scantily clad while the males are heavily armored.  Why?  Image from: fritz-aviewfromthebeach.blogspot.com  Of course, it isn’t just about the way women are depicted physically. Often times women are put in compromising situations, depicted as inferior, or in desperate need of help from male characters.  Now, as you review V for Vendetta, think about the depiction of females in the text. Are they depicted as powerful, or incredibly weak?  How are they portrayed relative to their male counterparts? V for Vendetta: Masks Masks  There are a few ways in which masks function in the text:  1. The mask is used to act as a symbol, a stand-in for a figurehead.  The benefit of using a mask in this way is that the figurehead can never be killed.  Alan Moore looks at the weakness of previous revolutions. They are always led by someone. Once that leader is dead, the revolution is over. Masks  Beyond this function of the mask, the mask serves additional symbolic roles as well.  1. What could the mask signify in V for Vendetta?  If you’re having a difficult time with the question, consider the poem on the subsequent slide. Masks  Consider the following poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar:  https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/we-wear-mask What is Dunbar trying to say about the potential function of masks in our society?  Does Dunbar’s poem shed any light on other ways masks might function in V for Vendetta? If not, how about considering real-life scenarios:  MASKS  Think about the people around you. Why do people wear masks? The following article has a few suggestions.  ttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-williamson/5-masks-we-wear-and-why-w_b_7786922.html  The article above suggests there are many masks we choose to wear, some of which are potentially problematic. Masks – Questions for Consideration  Who else wears a mask in V for Vendetta?  What types of masks do you see around you?  What types of masks do you wear? MASKS  This concept of masks relates closely to social identity theory, which we’ll deal with more later in the semester. Ultimately, the position of social identity theory is that we shift and adapt to social groups so we can be integral parts of those groups.  In addition to our masks or “selves” we construct to fit in with others, there are several others “selves” or masks we all have: MASKS  We are composed of several selves:  1. The ideal self – the self we want others to see.  2. The shadow self – the self we hide from all others or most others  3. The composite self – the self composed of all our identities and masks, the self only we can know (also includes the shadow self).  What is the true self? Masks  Moreover, why do we cling so desperately to the notion of self?  It is a survival mechanism.  How do we take of the mask, so to speak, and become liberated from all of these conflicting selves? MASKS  One solution V offers is Ego Death.  Ego Death: death or loss of subjective identity, loss of sense of self Ego death can be a bad thing, such as in cults when people lose their sense of self and it is replaced by a collective sense of identity. They become slaves to the leader. Ego death can also be seen as a spiritual thing, such as with Buddhism, in which selflessness is equated with fearlessness, a liberating phenomenon. MASKS  How does V get Evey to experience Ego Death in Book II?  What are your thoughts about this? Questions for Discussion Board 7b  1. What could the mask signify in V for Vendetta?  2. Who else wears a mask in V for Vendetta?  3. What types of masks do you see around you?  4. What types of masks do you wear?  5. How does V get Evey to experience Ego Death in Book II?  6. What are your thoughts about this? Concepts for Reading pt. III: Order & Anarchy Anarchy  Anarchy: departure from organized government, or an overarching source of control for a given population. What is anarchy?  Obviously the denotation offered on the previous page only provides us with a basic understanding of anarchy. Most people have different ideas of how anarchy operates and what it means.  What does anarchy mean to you?  Additionally, what would an anarchistic society look like in your eyes? Anarchy  “V” identifies himself as an anarchist.  Do you agree or disagree?  Why? Anarchy and V for Vendetta  The irony of Moore’s work is that, while “V” identifies himself as an anarchist, and appears to be working to break down the system that has been established in a dystopian world, Evey describes a world engulfed by anarchy in her back story.  What kind of world does she live in during and after the war (before the fascist regime takes over)? Anarchy and V for Vendetta  Do you think the system (or lack thereof) of anarchy Evey describes is the same anarchy “V” is striving for through his actions? Anarchy and V for Vendetta  What appears to be V’s notion of anarchy?  What is his vision for a utopian society, judging from what you have read so far? (We can’t say for certain, but guesstimate). Anarchy and V for Vendetta  V: “Anarchy means “without leaders” not “without order”  Can anarchy be achieved without chaos?
Purchase answer to see full attachment