Gender Identity in V for Vendetta

In Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s graphic masterpiece, V for Vendetta, the two protagonists, Evey and V, are subversive to traditional gender roles regarding women. Many conspiracies exist on the true identity of V, but there is no absolute answer. Most assume that V is male, but looking deeper at the context and approach that the novel takes, it seems there is a great possibility that V is female like V\u27s chosen successor, Evey. V’s influence and interaction with Evey throughout the novel is aptly supportive of this argument by means of text and image. Alan Moore and David Lloyd provide progressive representations of women that guide the characters away from female gender norms and expectations and toward a potential that redefines gender expectations in relation to society. Although it may be problematic that V and Evey must hide the fact that they are women to gain authority, it reveals how detrimental appearances can be to women even in this dystopian society. With the Guy Fawkes mask, the anti-hero is able to abstain altogether from gender, which protects V\u27s identity from the negative associations that come with being a woman. In conjunction with a feminist perspective, I argue that V for Vendetta reverses traditional gender roles using texual evidence to support the notion that V is a female anti-hero disguised by a traditionally masculine performance to demand power and authority against the corrupt state