Many modern stories seem to parallel classic novels. While the setting may be the same, or even the initial conflict, the modern story can still feature new content that differs from the novel that inspired it. Alan Moore's graphic novel, V for Vendetta, appears to be heavily influenced by George Orwell's novel, Nineteen Eight-Four. Both stories, set in the dystopian England of the future, have a government that controls the population through fear and manipulation, but the similarities between these two stories are superficial. V for Vendetta is different from Nineteen Eight-Four in terms of the atmosphere of the stories, the empowerment of the protagonists and the rebirth. The tone in both stories is initially one of desperation. Winston and Evey become disillusioned with their governments and struggle to fight back after encountering charismatic conspirators, but the results are quite dissimilar. Winston is forced to accept that he has been ineffective at all times and has never had any real chance to affect change, while Evey witnesses a real catalyst and is inspired to keep fighting. This feeling of hope is not only germinated in the protagonist of the story, but the general public is also moved by V's actions. The ultimate lessons from these stories are opposite; in V for Vendetta there is still hope despite all the efforts to crush it, but in Nineteen Eight-Four there is no hope despite all the efforts to start it. The ability to make a difference is itself a difference between these imaginary worlds. Orwell's government is a self-perpetuating machine, and measures are already in place to ensure its continued existence, regardless of who is in charge or what the political climate becomes; there is no single leader who can be removed from a seat of power to disable or paralyze that government. Winston and Julia try to be more than just victims of their environment, but ultimately fail, because one person, two people, or even a revolution cannot undo the system. Society's participation in that government is marginalized to the point that it makes no difference who opposes it. By contrast, Moore's fascist state is run by a single man at the top of the power pyramid, and when he is overthrown, there is no one in a clear position to take control. Evey and V are successful in their opposition, because in the world of V for Vendetta, one man can make a difference, even if that difference only serves as inspiration for others to make their own difference..