Remember, Remember

The other day I watched V for Vendetta again. I love this film, as I love the incredible graphic novel upon which it is based. Anyway, it got me to thinking, as it usually does, about the celebration that takes place in the UK every November 5th, Bonfire Night as it is usually called. It’s a strange one really. Obviously we all enjoy the massive controlled conflagrations, the firework displays and hotdog stands… but… there’s a pretty strange element to the whole affair too. Traditionally, in the run-up to November 5th, it is common for children to knock on your door and utter the words ‘Penny for the Guy’ while holding their hands outstretched for any spare coins you might have. The coins they want for fireworks (which is why you should give them something else instead… that or run the risk of them outstretching a burnt stump for coins the following year). What they should be saying is ‘Penny for me’.

The actual ‘Guy’ they refer to is a (usually badly) thrown-together effigy of historical figure - and inspiration to the character of social liberator V in the aforementioned film/graphic novel - Guy Fawkes. The Guy is normally made from old pillows and clothes and whatever else is available to fashion into this weird golem. So what happens to this Guy? He gets thrown onto the fire, that’s what. That’s what November 5th is all about, year after year burning the guy who tried to do us all a favour by blowing up the houses of parliament in 1605 and sadly failed. It’s only fair to point out, in the interests of accuracy, that Fawkes wasn’t really acting in the interests of a populace hard done by political corruption. He wasn’t exactly a champion of social justice; he just wanted a Catholic king instead of a Protestant one, which, let’s be honest, as a motivation for radical action, is worth about as much as trying to bring down the government because the prime minster prefers cheese-and-onion crisps over salt-and-vinegar.

Still, Fawkes was an activist and it says a lot about a culture that every year its people like to pretend they’re burning the bloke. But thanks to V for Vendetta, Fawkes has undergone a transformation and his face is now the face of defiance before a government in thrall to greedy, faceless markets. At any Occupy protest or demonstration of Indignados, you will see a lot of people wearing the now iconic Fawkes mask. Fawkes is the new symbol of liberty. That being the case, it’s time we stop the annual torching of his memory. This year, why not set up alternative Bonfire Nights? Instead of making Guys, make models of parliament, effigies of David Cameron or Bob Diamond. These are the things that require vilifying. These are the people and institutions whose power needs to be destroyed. Chuck those things on the fire instead… I’ll bet the collective satisfaction of watching them go up in flames will be rather more enjoyable than the usual offering. And who knows, maybe the idea that we can purge ourselves of such things in reality (though I wouldn’t for a minute suggest we do so with gasoline) might also enter the collective consciousness too. Symbolism is everything nowadays… so why not do something symbolic as well. And you can still enjoy the fireworks and hotdogs.

Relevant Magazine 2008