Isobel's Online Journal

“We are told to remember the idea and not the man. Because a man can fail. He can be caught, he can be killed and forgotten. But 400 years later, an idea can still change the world”. The character V in the film V for Vendetta is more than a person – he represents an idea. The idea that one man can create anarchy is central to the key theme of ‘the power of an idea’ in the film and is well suited to the dystopian genre. Director James McTeigue utilised the cinematography techniques of montage, dialogue and soundtrack to help viewers understand this theme and its importance in our current society.

McTeigue’s use of montage and soundtrack in the ‘domino scene’ portrays the power of an idea. As V places the first domino on the ground, marching, militaristic music begins, growing as the camera cuts to the boxes of ‘Guy Fawkes’ masks being shipped. The use of these techniques shows how V’s plan is falling into place, but that the distribution of the masks, undoubtedly a difficult feat, is only a small part of his larger plan. This is clear from the fact that the intensity caused by faster changes in the montage and the powerful soundtrack only grows from this point in the scene. In the film, V wears a Guy Fawkes mask to symbolise his defiance against the government. This mask has been used by protestors all over the world, including the ‘hacktivist’ group Anonymous, to represent “social justice through lawbreaking”. Viewers in this day and age recognise this mask as a symbol of anarchy. We understand that the director has purposefully used montage to show the distribution of the masks, communicating that V’s revolution is growing: the power of an idea can make change. When we see Inspector Finch open a box to find the first mask, ominous music in a minor key is introduced, adding suspense and reminding viewers that as much as we have come to like the anti-hero V, he is seen as a terrorist in his society. V places more dominos as the music builds, and the camera cuts between this and Inspector Finch’s office, where the phones are ringing off the hook and he is starting to put together the pieces of V’s plan. We see more dominos placed before viewing a burglar (wearing a Guy Fawkes mask) yell “anarchy in the UK”. The use of montage in this moment demonstrates that V’s ‘idea’ is coming to fruition, shown when the screen cuts between more dominos being placed and chaos taking over London. This cinematography technique aids viewers in their understanding of the film, creating a direct link between V placing dominos (representing the planning of his idea) and the anarchy that ensues because of this. The use of these techniques fulfils the director’s intention of highlighting the power of an idea, a key theme in the film. McTeigue has purposefully combined montage and soundtrack to emphasise the importance of this moment and help viewers make sense of the entire plot. By retelling parts of the story, including some future events, the use of montage indicates to viewers that the power of V’s idea is so strong it will result in success. The director has used montage to remind viewers of the plot, combined with powerful music that highlights the importance of the story coming together. This demonstrates that this moment in the film, when the ‘power of an idea’ is most on display, is of significance. Later in the scene, the montage includes real-life footage of the Brixton riots, playing as the dominos fall. At this point the soundtrack is overpowering, with the loud noise of the dominos falling, and building music, mixed with the sounds of the Brixton riots. This demonstrates to viewers the intense nature of V’s idea and the power of an idea in general. The use of the real-life riot footage reminds viewers that the film is dystopian, and a warning of what could happen if we don’t learn lessons from our past. Because this footage is included, viewers are prompted to consider how dystopias can become reality, as elements of dystopian societies exist in our past and present. We have seen this in recent months, as riots continue in America and around the world, sparked by the death of George Floyd, supporting the larger Black Lives Matter cause. One man’s death can change the world- the power of an idea is insurmountable.

In the ‘fight scene’, McTeigue utilised soundtrack and dialogue to present ‘the power of an idea’. At the beginning of the scene, the Chancellor is seen speaking on TV, saying “My fellow Englishmen, tonight our country, that which we stand for and all that we hold dear faces a terrible threat…” this monologue is significant because it labels V as the ‘threat’ to public safety, though viewers understand that the threat is in fact Chancellor Sutler and his government. As these lines are spoken, the music in the background is comprised of ominous sounding chords, played to a marching rhythm. While the dialogue suggests to viewers that V is the threat, the soundtrack indicates otherwise. By playing negative music beneath this fascist scene, director James McTeigue shows viewers that Sutler is evil, with seemingly infinite control. When V later dismantles his regime, viewers understand just how powerful V’s idea is. The combination of cinematography techniques used in this moment reminds viewers that the film is a dystopia, and the military can assume control as they have in the past. V for Vendetta is set in the year 2020. This year we have seen military forces on the streets in the U.S. and other elements of dystopian societies all around the world. In the film, McTeigue has used the cinematography techniques of soundtrack and dialogue to prompt viewers to consider that dystopias are not a far-off nightmare, but a possible future. As V unmasks and speaks to the Chancellor later in the scene, an almost dreamlike sequence of four ascending note on a harp is played repeatedly, slowly at first, then becoming faster. This progression continues as Mr Creedy utters the word ‘”disgusting” before killing the Chancellor, and the once dreamlike pattern is drowned out by the crescendo of a minor chord, heightening the suspense viewers feel before Chancellor Sutler is shot. This conveys the director’s intention to showcase the power of an idea, and the growing power and importance of V’s ‘idea’ throughout the movie is paralleled by the soundtrack in this moment. The dialogue used later in the scene reinforces this: “Beneath this mask there is more than flesh, beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof.” Through the soundtrack and dialogue in this scene, McTeigue emphasises the power of an idea to viewers, exposing the way that change can be made in our society.

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “You can kill the dreamer, but you can’t kill the dream”. By the end of the film, V is dead but his idea lives on. The cinematography techniques used in V for Vendetta present the power of an idea, and the change that can come from one. Just as “400 years later, an idea can still change the world”, Dr King’s idea has not been fully realised 57 years after his famous speech. Though we do not yet live in the world he envisioned, Dr King’s dream is so powerful that we have changed laws, perception and more to attempt to live it. A ‘dystopia’ is defined as “an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice” yet in V for Vendetta the power of an idea can overcome this. Black people all over the world have faced “great suffering or injustice” for centuries, and we are gradually making progress. Dr King’s dream is a real-life example of the power of an idea (albeit slowly) changing the world.

Yesterday’s rain is now covered by a delicate sheet of glistening ice. The surface as smooth as glass could give at any moment, it would only take a tap. The unfinished quilt of snow carefully laid out on the ground is comforting, added to every minute by snowflakes that float down to the earth. The gentle brush of sun peeking through the hovering mist prompts crystalline reflections to flood in through the window. It is winter and the whole world knows it. Inside it’s toasty; the steam rising off the cup of tea, the electric blanket that is always so difficult to leave, the pictures of loved ones, old friends. In the main room, life is vibrant, encompassing all but a few who choose to ignore it, waiting. Waiting for the end. 

Listen. Kettle whistles its whining pitch. Porridge bubbles. Gas turns on; tik tik tik whoosh. People chat, some with others and others with themselves. Breakfast comes and all is silent. 

The teeth grinder is at it again. The pitter-patter of rain on the roof starts, then builds before turning to ice, hitting the corrugated iron with a ‘clang’. The nurses are rushing around frantically, their foot-shuffling adding to the cacophony as they try to finish the tedious medicine round. The rest home is a percussion group, currently without an audience. That is until the ominous beeps start to ring out: Beep    beep beep beeeeeep. Breakfast is quickly cleared. 

Look. Outside the floating snowflakes have vanished, they are now rocks of ice poking holes in the once beautiful quilt of snow. Dark, thick mist rolls down the mountains, moving with astonishing speed as the sun coming through the window is replaced by the buffeting wind, howling in time with the beeps. The beautiful picture has been drowned out by the painful song, bouncing around within the stark white walls. The beeps stop, quickly replaced by the ‘click’ of the door unlatching and then silence. Time  stands still.

The door is forced open by the flood of people. Down they sit, next to everyone else. The looks of pity, sympathy lacking empathy, condolences and token smiles are not welcome. Feel the bitter ‘whoosh’ of air as a child rushes by before halting abruptly to stare. Hear the whispered questions to their mother, all the while looking; scorching holes in the back of the chair. See the two of them turn away. Even a child is ashamed.

Look. Noses wrinkle as the signature elderly scent reaches their nostrils; Eyebrows are pushed close to each other; Lips pressed together to form a pained line; Prejudiced eyes  focus on the activities board that reads: ‘Visit to the swimming pool’, before looking over, sadness written all over their faces. Those same eyes stare briefly as if to say “sorry mate, wish I could help” before darting away. Feet move in awkward lines, working tirelessly to avoid the lady confined to her chair. 

Think. You are lucky. You can still hear the gas turn on, hear the kettle whine. You can still see the glistening snowflakes, see the sun peeking through the blinds. You can still remember the feeling of fresh snow, remember the way it felt to slide on the ice. But it has been an eternity. You will never understand why people stare the way they do, why people feel so sorry for you. Now, you sit. All. Day. Long. Years ago, the patterned beige recliner whispered your name. Down you sat. And you haven’t stood up since….

Fitzgerald critiques society through his use of language or literary devices in The Great Gatsby.

Throughout the novel The Great Gatsby, the author F. Scott Fitzgerald critiques people’s tendency to present a false image to the rest of the world. This is shown through the core characters’ illusions, disguising their true intentions revealed over the course of the book. Fitzgerald is trying to help us realise that the false image of a perfect life that Gatsby and the other core characters portray has gone “beyond everything” and often can in real life too. For this essay, I have chosen to focus on the personas of Nick Carraway, Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan.

One of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s central representations of illusion is Jay Gatsby, who we discover has crafted an entire persona in an attempt to achieve his dreams. This is evidenced by the quote “This fella’s a regular Belasco. It’s a triumph. What thoroughness! What realism!” although this is referring to the books in Gatsby’s library, I believe it can also reference that he has crafted a whole story using his wealth but, like the books, no one really wants to read it. Gatsby can buy the material things that the ‘elite’ social class have, however, there are some things that money cant buy, and he will never have the experience or education behind him that the ‘elite’ have. As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that James Gatz no longer exists and that Jay Gatsby has taken over his life. “He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion, adding to it all the time, decking it out with every bright feather that drifted his way.” This quote shows how Gatsby’s person has been built up over time but not necessarily on purpose. These things come to him by chance, and he has no control over what ‘drifts’ in his direction. It may be luck that has brought these opportunities to him; however he has made sure to take every opportunity that comes his way In an effort to be reunited with Daisy. Since he has grabbed every opportunity with such fervour, his false image/ illusion has gone “beyond her, beyond everything”. What started as a need for Daisy has become an infatuation. He has created a life for them in his mind trying to make himself into what he thinks is her ideal man. This idea of creating one’s persona to fit into a mould is what Fitzgerald is criticising by reminding us that it can happen in real life (though hopefully not to the extent of Gatsby) and shouldn’t.

Daisy Buchanan, the person whom Gatsby’s whole persona revolves around, also presents a false image to the world that is very different from her true self. She is a nightmare dressed like a daydream. We can corroborate this when the “inexhaustible charm” of her voice that is “full of money” is mentioned. Money is attractive, and she has so much of it but just does whatever she wants, she embodies everything that comes with wealth (which is everything Gatsby wants). Her voice draws people like Gatsby in, comparative to a “jingle” but the “cymbals song” of it can be unpleasant, and not what you expected. Her voice, like her whole persona, is an illusion that she puts on. In contrast, a different part of her false image is the way she acts as if she is an adult who can make decisions for herself. This is in no way true as she, although being the mother to a child, hasn’t grown up. For example, she can’t live with the outcome of her actions, attempting to change her mind about marrying Tom the night before their wedding, and later being unable to choose between Gatsby and Tom, saying “I did love him once,… but I loved you too”. This is exactly the type of indecisive behaviour one might expect from a little girl. She doesn’t know any better and is expected to be a “beautiful little fool” like other women of her social standing. Expectations like these what causes people to present a false image to the world and by revealing these, Fitzgerald critiques society.

Nick Carraway is the ideal narrator of the story and a confidant for the Daisy and Gatsby. He is the middle man in all their drama and, without him, their story would not be possible. Nick is nowhere near as corrupt as the other characters, as shown by his modest house and his honesty. However, he is not without his own illusion. Nick’s illusion is that he is the only untainted person in a world where people hide behind lies and secrets – a reality for most characters in The Great Gatsby. Nick believes he is “one of the few honest people that I have ever known.” and also says he is “inclined to reserve all judgements” yet the whole novel consists of him constantly judging others. He calls Jordan “incurably dishonest” and says that Tom and Daisy are “careless people”. These quotes show that Nick isn’t honest with himself or us. Over the course of the novel, Nick gets drawn into the world of his so-called friends Gatsby, Daisy, Tom and Jordan. In turn, he becomes more dishonest and in doing so reveals that he does not have moral high ground over the other characters. This is pointed out by Jordan (who is dishonest herself according to Nick) when she says “I thought you were rather an honest, straightforward person. I thought it was your secret pride”. Nick is not the unbiased moderator of the story that we may have assumed at first. He is so caught up in other people’s lives (or at least the false image they present to the world) that he has let slip of his own and allowed the world to see that even he hides behind his own lies and secrets. Fitzgerald is showing us that everybody hides their true self, puts up a first line of defence against society and its judgemental nature. By exposing this tendency, he is also criticising it

In her book Water for Elephants, author Sara Gruen writes; “The whole thing’s an illusion… and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s what people want from us. It’s what they expect.” This quote explains that putting forward an illusion to the world is normal and expected. This expectation and societal norm is what Fitzgerald is trying to criticise through the way he allows his characters to present a facade and how, because of this, the characters’ world begins to implode.

 

 

Nick

Nick is the character who connects all of the main characters in The Great Gatsby. In his own words, he is both ‘within and without’. He is the narrator but also a participant. Nick will always be an outsider and never fit in with the ‘elite’. This is because he has never had their lifestyle and, like Gatsby, wasn’t born into it so can never be. Nick first introduces himself as someone who is “Inclined to reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me, and also made me the victim of not a few veteran bores”. However, it soon becomes apparent that he possesses no such quality and is very quick to judge.

Gatsby

At the beginning of the novel, we first hear about Gatsby from Jordan, who talks about his extravagant parties which attract anyone who is anybody. Although he is well known throughout New York, and the surrounding area no-one seems to know him on a personal level. His real motives are shrouded in secrecy with rumours flying that “he killed a man once” or “he was a German spy during the war”. However, by the end of the novel, we have found out that his spectacular life is completely fabricated and we see that he is extremely single-minded and that everything he has done in the past 5 years has been for Daisy- whether she knew it or not.

Daisy

At the start of the book Daisy is introduced as sophisticated but bubbly, and belonging to one of the most wealthy marriages in America. She often is connected to the colour white- signifying purity and innocence. An example of this is when she first meets Nick at her house for lunch and says “I’m p−paralyzed with happiness.” She laughed again, as if she said something very witty, and held my hand for a moment, looking up into my face, promising that there was no one in the world she so much wanted to see.” But by the end of the book, we see that she is not the innocent character we first assumed her to be. Instead, she is a bored, shallow girl with a secret. She doesn’t seem to care about the fact that she killed Myrtle, nor the fact that she is letting Gatsby take the blame for all of this. Or the fact that she doesn’t attend Gatsby’s funeral- even though he died for her.

Illusions:

Nick:

Nick presents the illusion that he is non-judgemental even though of his main roles in the book is to reflect on/judge the actions and lives of others.

Gatsby:

Gatsby creates his illusion by letting everyone he meets know about his apparent past. To him, telling everyone he meets his story makes it more believable to him. As we delve deeper into the novel, we realise that Gatsby’s whole illusion he has created for himself has one purpose- to attract Daisy.

Daisy:

Daisy outwardly portrays an innocent lady living the perfect lifestyle, however, this is all just an illusion. She tries to pretend that Tom isn’t having an affair and is only open with Gatsby and Nick. It becomes apparent that she only cares about her status, wealth and lifestyle which she realises Gatsby can’t give her.

Relationships:

Daisy and Gatsby:

Daisy and Gatsby’s relationship was ultimately false due to the fact that Gatsby is stuck in the past. He can’t accept that Daisy did and still does love Tom and no-one can erase the 5 years since Gatsby last saw Daisy. Their relationship is also impossible because Daisy is only interested in Gatsby because she thinks he can also provide the life that she is used to with Tom. As soon as it is revealed that he got his money through shady business and that he came from nothing, Daisy is uninterested and realises that her life with Tom is what she wants.

Daisy and Nick:

Daisy and Nick’s relationship is false because although they seem to enjoy spending time together, Nick is just another person who Daisy has dragged into her life of first world problems. Nick will always be there for Dais however she belongs to the ‘elite’ a group that Nick will never be apart of so he will never truly be worthy of her time.

Nick and Gatsby:

Nick and Gatsby’s relationship is also false because Gatsby is just using Nick to get to Daisy. Although Gatsby’s advances seem friendly, he is just trying to get closer to Daisy even though he has no friends except Nick -who is forced to second guess the value of their friendship when he discovers Gatsby’s real motives.

The Inevitability of Time:

The idea of the inevitability of time is explored throughout the Great Gatsby as the whole novel revolves around the fact that the only real factor that stands in the way of Daisy and Gatsby being together is the 5 years that they have spent apart. Gatsby thinks that time is some sort of substance that can be manipulated as evidenced by when Gatsby says “Can’t repeat the past? …Why of course you can!”. But what Gatsby can’t seem to grasp is that time can’t be changed or erased and Daisy has been getting in just fine without him for the 5 years they’ve been apart. Even if he seems to be stuck in the past, time will go on and no-one can do anything to change that. A symbol of time that is continuously implied throughout the novel is water. An example of this is when Daisy and Gatsby spend the day together or the first time in 5 years. It’s raining but while Daisy and Gatsby spend time together, the rain stops and they have a perfect day together- a glimpse of the life Gatsby dreams of. The rain represents the idea that time stops when they’re together but that can never truly happen since time must go on and can never stop or be erased. At this point, Fitzgerald is trying to convey the idea that we all wish we could stop or go back in time but its simply not possible, the continuation of time is inevitable.

The myth of the American Dream :

Throughout the novel The Great Gatsby the idea of ‘The American Dream’ is repeatedly criticised and presented as false. By definition, ‘The American Dream’ is the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved. In other words it is the belief that if you work hard, you can be successful regardless of race, gender or class. In The Great Gatsby the idea of “The American Dream” is just that, a dream that can never be a reality. It is impossible due to the huge divide between rich and poor (e.g. social standing of George Wilson vs that of Tom Buchanan). No-one in the novel has truly achieved “The American Dream” ; Tom and Daisy are both born into “The American Dream” and never have to put in any work to sustain their lifestyle, Gatsby has worked hard for his money, even if it is through illegitimate means, however he will never truly be accepted into Tom and Daisy’s lifestyle. He has trained himself to have the ma nerf of the upper class the one thing he is missing is money (yes he has lots of it but since it has been obtained illegally it doesn’t count in the eyes of the elite) however he thinks he can make up for his lack of legitimate money by obtaining Daisy, someone who will boost his status. “The American Dream” has failed him because the one thing he needs to live the dream is out of reach and can never be his. Another person who “The American Dream” has ultimately failed is George Wilson who works hard but never gets ANY credit and definitely doesn’t have equal opportunities. He and Myrtle are both trying to make their way into the upper class lifestyle; him by his hard work and Myrtle through her affair with Tom. Although they try to achieve “The American Dream” they will always be stuck in the Valley of Ashes- aka the lower, working class.

 

Over the course of the first chapter, we are introduced to many of the most influential characters in the story. We familiarise ourselves with Nick, our narrator who makes it very clear that he intends to “reserve all judgements” throughout the course of the book, although his reliability as a narrator is tainted when he contradicts this and introduces Tom, saying ” Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face”. Tom and Daisy are presented as polar opposites. Tom had “reached an acute limited excellence at twenty” playing football at New Haven. He is described as “hulking” and “defiant” and is obviously a dominant character who feels as though he is superior to most, mentally and physically. In contrast his wife, Daisy is “charming” and “witty” and doesn’t seem to mind being submissive and in the shadow of her unfaithful partner. During Nick’s visit we encounter Miss Jordan Baker, a sporting star of some sort who, much like Daisy seems to ‘flutter’ around the room practically oozing sophistication. By the end of the chapter we have established that Gatsby is some sort of mysterious character who both Nick and we as readers are yet to formally meet.

Tom

• hulking
• stronger
• violently
• brute
• defiant
• tense

Daisy

• thrilling
• witty
• sophisticated
• charming
• helplessly

Jordan Baker

• charming
• absurd
• erect
• unashamed
• contemptuous

When we first meet Nick he establishes that he intends to be non judgemental but we soon realise that he is not to be relied upon in this matter. It becomes clear that he takes pleasure in judging people when he discribes Tom as “a sturdy straw−haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner.”  If we as readers are to judge Nick’s reliability by how quickly he forgets his non judgemental nature then he cannot be trusted and therefore is not a reliable narrator.