Characters
People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.
— V · V for Vendetta
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker reverses the usual balance of fear between citizens and rulers. Ordinary people should live without dread of state power, while those who govern should feel accountable to, and wary of, the people. Authority is presented as answerable to the public rather than the other way round.
Context reviewed