The mask as a tool of defiance: Uncovering the symbolism and significance of masks in James McTeigue’s V for Vendetta
Author(s): Bindu Ann Philip
Abstract: This analysis of the film V for Vendetta employs Lacanian psychoanalytic theory to explore the intricate interplay of subjectivity and power within societal structures. The film poignantly depicts how both individual agency and collective power dynamics shape social realities. Central to the narrative is the figure of V, whose charismatic leadership mobilizes a mass uprising against an oppressive regime. This collective action, while seemingly driven by a shared political grievance, can be interpreted as a manifestation of a shared libidinal investment in V's revolutionary persona. The imposed societal identities, experienced by the populace as a suffocating constraint, are analogous to the Lacanian concept of the Symbolic Order, where individuals are subjected to pre-existing social structures that limit their agency and self-determination. The film, through its powerful visual language, effectively dramatizes the Foucauldian notion of power as a pervasive and insidious force that permeates every aspect of social life, subtly shaping individual desires and behaviors. This analysis demonstrates how cinematic narratives can serve as potent sites for exploring the unconscious dimensions of social and political phenomena, revealing the complex interplay of subjectivity, power, and the collective unconscious.
Bindu Ann Philip. The mask as a tool of defiance: Uncovering the symbolism and significance of masks in James McTeigue’s V for Vendetta. Int J Multidiscip Trends 2025;7(3):04-07. DOI: 10.22271/multi.2025.v7.i3a.620
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