Final Essay Assignment
May 3rd, 2018 by amcadams
Please watch the two videos below; both are taken from the film “V for Vendetta.” They provide a graphic image of a future authoritarian regime and the need to address the fate of the people who live under its rule.
In the second of the two videos, V passionately implores his viewers to enunciate “the truth” and commit themselves to the restoration of “fairness, justice, and freedom” in their society. Yet, he is conspicuously vague about how these objectives are to be realized. Imagine that you are in the position to ask one of the following three authors to act as V’s advisor. In your view, which author would offer him the most desirable and realistic way of achieving his goals. Be sure to address why this author’s response is more convincing than the other two.
Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
Karl Marx, The Communist Manifesto
Francis Fukuyama, “The End of History”
If you have already seen “V for Vendetta,” please purge your mind of the rest of the movie; otherwise you will get confused. Only the two videos above are relevant to this assignment.
Your response to this question should be no longer than six (6) double-spaced pages. In writing your essay, you should not only draw upon your understanding of the issues. It will also be important to use your imagination in describing each author’s likely response to V’s challenge.
We will evaluate your essay according to four criteria: 1) Your understanding of the arguments and counterarguments involved in choosing one path over the other two; 2) The clarity and consistency of your response; 3) Your use of readings, discussion sessions, lectures, and the above videos to back up your points concretely; and 4) Your demonstrated ability to think for yourself.
Your paper must have a title. Note: the best titles are those that correspond directly to the argument you make.
Remember: The Honor Code applies! Your essay must be absolutely, totally, irrefutably, and unmistakably your own work.
As always, I have familiar advice.
- Read this assignment closely the moment you receive it. It may seem complicated. But if you allow its elements to move around in your head for a while, you will find that they all flow together.
- You have a week to complete this assignment. Do not put it off until the last moment. If you do so, no one will be happy with the result.
Deadline. You must submit your essay to your TA no later than 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 11.
Good luck!
