Anarcha-Feminism in Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s V for Vendetta - Pro-feminist analysis of anarchism

Aug 26, 2026

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Jennifer MacFarlane analyzes anarcha-feminism in Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s graphic novel V for Vendetta, arguing that its warning against patriarchal power is expressed through both plot and language. The discussion links anarchism’s principles—abolition of authority, the balance of individuality and collectivity, and the interplay of spontaneity and organization—to the novel’s portrayal of gender equality and resistance to oppressive political systems. Quotations from Kornegger, Greer, and Ehrlich support how “the personal is political” and how integrity and freedom are repeatedly defended.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time17 min

AccessFree to download

Anarcha-feminism framework

Patriarchy and political warning in V for Vendetta

Kornegger’s principles of anarchism

Gender equality and the logic of anarchism

Feminist integrity and “the personal is political”

Greer’s view on militancy and fragile freedom

Valerie’s letter as a model of integrity

Ehrlich on “the personal is political”

Everyday treatment and misogyny in the novel

Anarcha-Feminism in Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s V for Vendetta JENNIFER MACFARLANE In 2012, only 24.6 percent of elected Canadian Members of Parliament were female, illustrating a modern-day discrepancy in the political representation of women (Parliament of Canada). This statistic demonstrates the deep-seated effects of patriarchy which are still very much at play in modern institutions of power in western society. The insidious effects of male hierarchy figure heavily into Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s highly politicized graphic novel V for Vendetta , which serves as a warning against patriarchal power. Published in full form in 1988 and first conceived of at the height of Thatcherism in England, Vfor Vendetta places emphasis on feminist issues and the oppressive patriarchal system that continues to be pervasive today. Although V for Vendetta carries a political message that champions anarchy, feminism has a strong presence in the graphic novel; the text deals self-consciously with feminism through both the storylines of the female characters, and through the sexist, gendered language used by the protagonist and antagonist parties. In order to convey a pro-feminist message, the text presents patriarchyas an evil that goes hand in hand with authoritative power structures; power that is exemplified by the objectification and violence towards woman by many of the antagonists and men in positions of authority throughout the graphic novel. In Peggy Kornegger’s article “Anarchism: The Feminist Connection”(1975), she offers a working definition of anarchism by depicting its primary ideals. Kornegger claims there are three major anarchical principles: (1) Belief in the abolition of authority, hierarchy, government. Anarchists call for the dissolution (rather than the seizure) of power ... of human over human, of state over community ... (2) Belief in both individuality and the collectivity ... (3) Belief in both spontaneity and organization. (Kornegger 3) 36 MacFarlane It is clear, from Kornegger’s outlining of the major ideals of anarchism, that feminism’s call for gender equality figures into anarchism.1 Therefore, if feminism at its core seeks gender equality, by its very nature, it also figures into the principles of anarchy. The political message of support for anarchy in the graphic novel allows for the imagination of a space where the feminine is free from the authority of the male hierarchy. The fascist political powers at work in V for Vendetta not only parallel elements of Thatcherism in England at the time of the text’s conception, but also denote how an extreme society and government have the potential to be damaging to the feminist cause. Equality is an essential part of anarchism, as it allows for freedom of individuality, so long as one does not encroach on another’s freedom. The concept of gender equality in V for Vendetta highlights the goal of complete equality inherent in anarchy, and how the lack of such equality leads inevitably to the type of fascist, oppressive society that exists in the text. Throughout the graphic novel, Moore and Lloyd associate anarchy with the importance of absolute integrity to one’s cause: an imperative that has long been at the core of feminism. As pioneer second-wave feminist, Germaine Greer, states in her book The Female Eunuch ,“the consequences of militancy do not disappear when the need for militancy is over. Freedom is fragile and must be protected. To sacrifice it, even as a temporary measure, is to betray it,”(Greer 20-21). Vfor Vendetta echoes the requirement of adherence to one’s cause at all times, mainly as demonstrated through the character Valerie. Before dying whilst in prison, Valerie writes and leaves behind a letter, not knowing who will find it after she dies. In her letter she writes,“it was my integrity that was impor- 1 Feminism is defined as, first and foremost, the “advocacy of equality of the sexes”(Oxford English Dictionary), and should not be

FAQs

How does V for Vendetta connect patriarchal power with political authority?

The novel portrays patriarchy as an evil paired with authoritarian power structures, shown through objectification and violence toward women by antagonists and officials. It frames these dynamics as part of a broader oppressive government system.

What anarchist principles does Kornegger identify, and how are they used to interpret feminism in the novel?

Kornegger outlines abolition of authority and hierarchy, a balance of individuality and collectivity, and the link between spontaneity and organization. The text argues that feminism’s core demand for gender equality fits naturally into anarchism’s goals.

Why is Germaine Greer’s idea of fragile freedom important for interpreting the character Valerie?

Greer emphasizes that freedom must be protected and betrayal of it is irreversible. The analysis links this to Valerie’s prison letter, which stresses integrity as “the very last inch,” connecting personal resolve to political fidelity.

Aug 26, 2026

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