V for Vendetta

by

Alan Moore

The Leader / Adam Susan Character Analysis

Adam Susan, usually known by his title, the Leader, is the dictator of England. His Norsefire regime ascended to power following a brutal, mysterious war that destroyed much of the planet. As Leader, Susan immediately began a series of programs whose goals were to “purify” the people of England, rounding up and murdering all homosexuals, Jews, blacks, Leftists, and Pakistanis. He used the specter of war to justify his harsh measures. As he settled into his role as the Leader, Susan became immensely lonely, recognizing that he was hated and feared by his subjects. Susan then turned to the Fate Computer, the advanced computer system that Norsefire used to survey London and predict crime and the weather. His love for Fate says a great deal about his character: he’s an egomaniac and a misanthrope who believes only in the existence of himself and of “God”—which he believes to be the Fate Computer itself. Susan despises all “talk of freedom,” another reason why he worships the cold determinism of Fate. In the end, Susan’s love for Fate—cleverly manipulated by V—drives him insane, and he’s assassinated shortly afterwards.

The Leader / Adam Susan Quotes in V for Vendetta

The V for Vendetta quotes below are all either spoken by The Leader / Adam Susan or refer to The Leader / Adam Susan. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Freedom and Anarchy Theme Icon
).
Book 1, Chapter 2 Quotes

They eradicated some cultures more thoroughly than they did others. No Tamla and no Trojan. No Billie Holliday or Black Uhuru. Just his master’s voice every hour on the hour.

Related Characters: V (speaker), The Leader / Adam Susan, Lewis Prothero
Page Number: 19
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 1, Chapter 5 Quotes

I believe in strength. I believe in unity. And if that strength, that unity of purpose demands a unity of thought, word, and deed then so be it. I will not hear talk of freedom. I will not hear talk of individual liberty. They are luxuries. I do not believe in luxuries.

Related Characters: The Leader / Adam Susan (speaker)
Page Number: 37
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 1, Chapter 11 Quotes

You see, there are two possible motives here. Not one. The first motive is revenge. He escapes from Larkhill and vows to get even with his tormentors. The Parliament bombing and the other stuff is just a smokescreen. The whole exercise was an elaborate, chilling vendetta. That’s the explanation that I find the most reassuring, funnily enough. Because that means he’s finished now. That means it’s over. The second motive is more sinister. Like I said, everyone who could have identified him is now dead. What if he’s just been clearing ground? What if he’s been planning something else?

Related Characters: Mr. Eric Finch (speaker), V, The Leader / Adam Susan
Page Number: 85
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 3, Prologue Quotes

Uncaring fate? It is said there is no question that can be formulated that you cannot answer. Tell me this, then: Am I loved?

Related Characters: The Leader / Adam Susan (speaker)
Related Symbols: Voice of Fate
Page Number: 184
Explanation and Analysis:
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The Leader / Adam Susan Quotes in V for Vendetta

The V for Vendetta quotes below are all either spoken by The Leader / Adam Susan or refer to The Leader / Adam Susan. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Freedom and Anarchy Theme Icon
).
Book 1, Chapter 2 Quotes

They eradicated some cultures more thoroughly than they did others. No Tamla and no Trojan. No Billie Holliday or Black Uhuru. Just his master’s voice every hour on the hour.

Related Characters: V (speaker), The Leader / Adam Susan, Lewis Prothero
Page Number: 19
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 1, Chapter 5 Quotes

I believe in strength. I believe in unity. And if that strength, that unity of purpose demands a unity of thought, word, and deed then so be it. I will not hear talk of freedom. I will not hear talk of individual liberty. They are luxuries. I do not believe in luxuries.

Related Characters: The Leader / Adam Susan (speaker)
Page Number: 37
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 1, Chapter 11 Quotes

You see, there are two possible motives here. Not one. The first motive is revenge. He escapes from Larkhill and vows to get even with his tormentors. The Parliament bombing and the other stuff is just a smokescreen. The whole exercise was an elaborate, chilling vendetta. That’s the explanation that I find the most reassuring, funnily enough. Because that means he’s finished now. That means it’s over. The second motive is more sinister. Like I said, everyone who could have identified him is now dead. What if he’s just been clearing ground? What if he’s been planning something else?

Related Characters: Mr. Eric Finch (speaker), V, The Leader / Adam Susan
Page Number: 85
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 3, Prologue Quotes

Uncaring fate? It is said there is no question that can be formulated that you cannot answer. Tell me this, then: Am I loved?

Related Characters: The Leader / Adam Susan (speaker)
Related Symbols: Voice of Fate
Page Number: 184
Explanation and Analysis: