The film of V for Vendetta, subverts many stereotypical aspects of a typical Hollywood film. One of which is the gender roles. The stereotypical gender roles are subverted to portray the message of the film; not to be passive but to be active. At a glance, the film seems to be a sexist one, which disapproves of femininity, however after studying the gender roles portrayed in v, it is clear that the film praises feminine traits. Throughout the film, we clearly see the gender roles of the mother and father, which are portrayed throughout many different characters and develop and change throughout. these can be seen through V, Evie, Sutler and Valerie.
The film uses aspects of psycho-sexual symbols such as phallic, yonic and orgasmic imagery, birthing, hyper-masculation, mother and father figure roles; through nurturing and masculine characteristics, and moreover, the Opedipal Complex.
Psycho-sexual symbolism is portrayed throughout the film. One key scene in the film is the God is in the Rain scene. This scene incorporated many of the aspects that I previously mentioned. The scene begins with Evie walking and V holding onto her to support her, as at this point in the film Evie is still weak and passive; a characteristic femininity. The characters juxtapose one another in terms of their appearance; Evie's head has been shaved from V's mock prison camp, which ultimately takes away her femininity that she holds at the beginning, and also contributes to her losing her fear. This contrasts to V's aesthetic as he wears a mask heavily covered in make up (similar to Evie in the beginning scene of the film) and has long, feminine hair.
The scene heavily incorporates psycho-sexual symbolism. It soon begins to rain, this leads Evie to freely go out and embrace the rain. Not only has her feminine appearance been taken away from her, but the rain also symbolises phallic imagery. Evie then holds up her arms, almost symbolising Jesus on the cross; here she is clearly embracing the rain, symbolising her freedom. This contrasts to how she was portrayed at the beginning, holding her coat wrapped tightly around her as a form of protection, and seeing male protection from her boss, Dietrich. Her character development symbolises her being reborn, therefore backing up my previous point birthing being incorporated into the film
This scene this juxtaposed with V's birthing scene, that we see during the time of the Evie's, using the editing technique of cross-cutting. V's birthing scene juxtaposes Evie's as he is burning in the fire from the experimenting camp. Although, they both form similar stances to one another, it is clear that V is burning within his vengeance for the government, whereas Evie is reviving in her freedom. V is also burning through fire which symbolises the orgasm, contrasting heavily to the element that Evie is embracing. This also portrays the idea of hyper-masculation; the fact that V has not died within this fire portrays him with a masculine superpower.
The scene then cuts to a clip of Evie embracing and accepting the rain even more heavily, this symbolises an orgasm. We see V standing behind her watching, which therefore portrays him as a mother figure type; nurturing her character development, and watching her grow.
The Opedipus Complex is portrayed throughout the film. Later on in the film, we, the audience understand that Evie is a troubled woman; who witnessed her parent's kidnapping when she was younger. The Opedipus Complex is the idea that one will search for similar characteristics of the opposing sex parent, within their partner or companion. In my opinion, this is conveyed through the first scene of the film. We understand that Evie is going to see her boss, Dietrich. At first, one may believe that this is due to sexual persuasion for promotional factors, however once we understand that her boss is actually homosexual, the idea of the Oedipus Complex comes to mind; that instead of sexual interests, Evie was seeking Dietrich as a male father figure. This therefore brings both the Oedipus Complex and father figures.
The idea of a father figure too is portrayed throughout the character of Sutler. When V (who is disguised) is telling a story of how the virus was concurred at the expense of others, including V. Within this scene, V explains that Sutler is an "extremely religious man", meanwhile he is standing in front of a chanting crowd. This scene brings to mind Nazi Germany; during this period, the idea of family was heavily enforced. The that that Sutler is also highly religious also contributes to the idea of family being an important factor. At this point, the public are looking up to Sutler and cheering at him. His hierarchy is portrayed through a low angle shot. His strength, hierarchy and power are all masculine traits that portray him as a public father figure.
Similarly to the idea of a father figure, mother figures are too portrayed throughout the film. This is seen through V, who switches through both mother and father roles in the film. But also, and probably more subtly, Valerie. The scene, Valerie's Letter portrays Valerie's story and provides hope to Evie at her lowest point, this nurtures her in this way, a motherly trait.
A big aspect of psycho-sexual symbolism that occurs throughout the film is yonic imagery, which is often conflicting and challenging phallic imagery.
We see yonic imagery appear throughout the film, this is portrayed through the red rose. A rose is stereotypically used to portray yonic imagery. This is relevant whenever V kills someone. As I previously mentioned, the film's message is to revolt through a passive way; a feminine trait is to be passive, which links to the placement of the roses.
Yonic imagery is heavily present throughout the ending scene, where Parliament is destroyed. We see yonic imagery through the red roses that are placed on V's chest; this again, symbolises the message of the film, to revolt passively, which again is a female trait. The fact that the roses are placed around V, portrays him as a symbol of passive revolution. The roses are also placed upon and around him almost to symbolise a halo, portraying that he was the good.
We also see the decline of phallic imagery within this scene. It is located after a heavily phallic induced fight scene, which portrays the loss of phallic imagery within the ending, and the extent and rise of yonic imagery. This is seen when Creedy relaxes and puts down his gun, symbolising the weakened emphasis and control of phallic imagery.
We then see yonic imagery challenge and overpower phallic imagery. The Houses of Parliament; a male dominated democracy is being destroyed by explosions that symbolise yonic imagery and the orgasm. Not only is Parliament mainly male dominated but it also symbolises phallic imagery in appearance. The passive revolution (because no one is hurt) destroys this phallic imagery through orgasmic and yonic imagery, symbolising once again the main message of the film; to overthrow the government passively. Therefore, by doing so, the government has become passive and female.
"He was my father and my mother..." This symbolises coherently to the audience my previous point of gender roles, especially the mother and father parental roles. Within the last few minutes of the film, Evie remembers V by clearly explaining this point. V nurtured, cared and provided for the country, representing both parental roles. "He was you and he was me" meaning that by uniting together, we can all form as one. Within the final scene, the idea of birthing is again brought up. The Houses of Parliament is destroyed, and the public take to the streets, forming together as one body; this therefore symbolises the idea of rebirthing; the public and society will be reborn into a new one.
The film V for Vendetta represents stereotypical gender roles throughout the film, however these are often subverted and distorted to an extent. The film uses this to communicate the messages of the film across to the viewer. One of the main messages of the film is to revolt and take to the streets passively, which is a prominent female trait. The film celebrates the idea of feminine traits, these can be seen throughout the film, through yonic imagery, orgasmic imagery, the positive and praised portrayal of the mother role compared to the destructive role of the father. It can also be seen through the number of birthing or rebirthing scenes in the film.
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