Symbolism in V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta is arguably one of the most well-done movies about a societal revolution ever done, and probably one of the best movies Natalie Portman has been in. It is also full to the brim with symbols and symbolism, the signifiers and the signified, and can give quite a bit of what Ellen Seiter describes as the three different kinds of symbols; symbolic, iconic, or indexical. V's mask, the rain, and the shaving of Evey's head  all are major symbols in the film. To begin with, V's mask. This could classify as an indexical symbol, as in it specifically identifies V and his ideals. Because his face is never shown beneath the mask, the mask, in a sense, becomes his face, because when we see it we immediately identify it as his character. One particular portion in which we see many symbolic symbols are the imprisonment of, and subsequent release of, Evey. When Evey is taken into custody by what she believes to be The Party, in actuality an illusion by V, she has her head shaved. This works our minds on a subconscious level, as particularly in women we see hair as a source of femininity, of power, of humanity even. When she has it removed, it is dehumanizing and degrading on such a level as to almost make us cringe, though we may not know why. When Evey is finally released and realizes her entire time in prison has been a ruse, she runs onto V's balcony and stands in a rainstorm. This is extremely symbolic because while in prison she found a letter from a former prisoner that V was incarcerated with named Valerie Page, who believed God was in the rain. As Evey stands underneath the rain, we understand that it means redemption, the washing away of the past, and an almost religious awakening to the true state of things. In such ways are our emotions manipulated and we understand on an almost subconscious level all of the emotional complexities and subtle nuances happening in the film, thus catapulting it into the spotlight and into its place as one of the best revolution movies made.