V for Vendetta and Sociology

Direct Social Control: Norsefire, the uncontested political rulers of Britain, declare that social deviants are to be rounded up and imprisoned. This is exemplifies by the story Evey finds hidden in prison.

Ideological Social Control: The release of the governments new biological weapon on its own people gave the government a huge power over its people through fear. Forcing them to depend on the government for their security.

Deviance: In the British culture in the film, owning a Qur'an was considered and illegal and deviant act. Thus making he character Dietrich, a deviant.

Secondary Deviance: During V's break in to the news building Evey realizes that she has already been labeled a deviant by her government. She then comes upon V being held at gunpoint and, responding to her label, maces the officer holding V.

Ascribed Status: When Evey's parents were arrested she was ascribed the role of an orphan.

Achieved Status: Adam Sutler only received the status of Chancellor after years of political maneuverings and manipulation.

Master Status: During Evey's stay in the prison at V's house V held the master status.

Role Conflict: V experiences role conflict when he starts to fall in love with Evey. This conflicts with his role as a revenger.

Role Strain: Inspector Finch has the role of Chief Inspector, with this role comes the responsibility of investigating crime. But slowly, throughout the film, he starts to realize that the real criminal is the government he works for. So he is strained between staying loyal to his government, and staying loyal to his principles.

Primary Group: There are several primary groups throughout this film Two of which are, the Chancellor's council which is made up of five members, and the small group of two formed by V and Evey.

Secondary Group: A secondary group in this movie was the group formed by those who worked at the Larkhill detention center.

Aggregates: The rebels closing in on the parliament building.

Class: Class plays a huge role in this film. The ruling class represented by the Norsefire party, and all the higher ups involved with it. And the bottom class being those considered deviant, such as homosexuals, Muslims, and anyone who goes against the state. It could be argued that there is a three-tiered class system in this society. But ultimately Marx's terms of bourgeoisie and proletariat are best applied to this film.

Ethnocentrism: Throughout the movie it is made clear to the citizens of Britain that they are the best, and the rest of the world is falling apart. On the news channels it is broadcast that there is civil war in America, the cause of which, being godlessness.

Taboo: A bishop, in this film, attempts to engage in intercourse with who he believes to be a minor. His actions lead the audience to believe that this is something he does often.

Applying the Micro Approach: Interactionism

Use of Symbols: The Croix de Lorraine was used as the party symbol for the British government. It is first seen on the badge of one of the fingermen that assaulted Evey, shortly before the audience is presented with the symbol V.

Contextual Meaning: The Croix de Lorraine on its own is entirely meaningless, unless one is familiar with the old European symbols, this double cross seems like a couple of lines thrown together.

Subjective Interpretation: At the beginning of the film the party symbol represented power, pride, and most importantly security. But after V's break in to the news building and delivered his message, the people of Britain started to reconsider their opinions and, much like the German swastika, the symbol started to take on a new meaning. One of oppression and tyranny.

Dramaturgical Approach

Front Stage Behavior: Gordon Dietrich, the friend Evey runs to after escaping from V, is a great example of front-stage behavior. Even though in his private life he was a social deviant, he was able to hide this by acting in accordance with the social norms of the time.

Aligning Actions: Early in the story Dietrich feigns romantic interest in Evey to stop any suspicions from arising.

Backstage Behavior: Out of the public eye, in a hidden room of his house, Dietrich has a copy of the Qur'an, old pieces of art, and photographs of him engaged in homosexual behaviors.

Applying Macro Theory: Conflict Model

Conflict: One of Norsefire's main objectives is to rid the country from any internal conflict. Through direct and ideological social control this was accomplished. Unfortunately this entailed a surrender of the people's freedoms.

Competing Interest: The ruling party refuses to let any change occur, since the current system is so beneficial for them.

Power: All the power in the society was held by Norsefire. They defined both deviance and the punishment for it, and then when something goes wrong they distort the truth and run it as news.

Inequality: Anybody labeled as deviant is considered far below the rest of society. This is exemplified by the persecution of homosexuals, and Muslims.

Change: The conflict was presented when V broke into the news building, takes over the studio, and broadcasts a message to the people. With this message came the seed of doubt that forced people to question their government. V gives the people a method to gain back their freedom, and plans an event a year from that day, giving everybody enough time to watch their government, and eventually decide to overthrow them.

Who Benefits: The ruling party, Norsefire, benefited from leading a totalitarian regime.