Mr. Eric Finch Character Analysis in V for Vendetta

Eric Finch is a talented, thoughtful detective, and one of the most important figures at the Nose (the Norsefire institution that investigates terrorism and other major crimes). Finch is unlike the majority of his colleagues, insofar as he dislikes the repressiveness and brutality of the Leader’s regime, and voices his dislike to the Leader himself. Finch’s willingness to admit his disapproval is a mark of his bravery, as well as his immense competence—the Leader notes that he’d have no qualms about having Finch executed, were it not for Finch’s years of loyal service to the Nose. During the course of the graphic novel, Finch becomes increasingly obsessed with tracking down V. He recognizes that V isn’t an “ordinary man”—he’s not concerned with monetary gain or any other practical end. After the death of his lover, Delia Surridge, Finch takes LSD and experiences a mental transformation that allows him to think like V. Though Finch eventually tracks down V and kills him, he comes to realize that V was right to oppose the Norsefire regime. As the novel concludes, Finch has vowed to never accept orders from a tyrant again, and to be his own master.

Mr. Eric Finch Quotes in V for Vendetta

The V for Vendetta quotes below are all either spoken by Mr. Eric Finch or refer to Mr. Eric Finch. 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:

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 and Citation: 85

Explanation and Analysis:

Eric Finch, the head of detective work in the Norsefire government, tries to understand why V, known to be a masked vigilante, is murdering former Norsefire party members who worked at Larkhill Prison (where V himself was probably kept and tortured) years ago. Finch isn't sure if V is killing these people because he's angry with them and wants revenge, or because he's preparing for something else and trying to eliminate people who have valuable information about him—or both.It's important to note the frightened tone of Finch's quote. He's afraid of and even awed by V's actions, and this is Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debi

Because if I’m going to crack this case, and I am, I’m going to have to get right inside his head, to think the way he thinks, and that scares me.

Related Characters: Mr. Eric Finch (speaker), V

Page Number and Citation: 210

Explanation and Analysis:

Eric Finch, the detective tasked with tracking down V, decides that the only way to catch V is to think like V. (This is one of the classic plot tropes of crime and serial killer stories--the detective discovers that he and his quarry eerily similar.) In order to simulate V's state of mind, Finch ingests a large quantity of LSD, a hallucinogenic drug that, he believes, promotes creativity and original thinking.By taking LSD and thinking like V, Finch isn't just trying to solve his case. Finch is also trying to free himself from the constraints of his own society. Finch Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque

I look at this mad pattern, but where are the answers? Who imprisoned me here? Who keeps me here? Who can release me? Who’s controlling and constraining my life, except … me?

Related Characters: Mr. Eric Finch (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 215

Explanation and Analysis:

In this scene, Eric Finch--having ingested a large amount of LSD--hallucinates that he's in a prison. He has a sudden, unexpected epiphany that he is his own prisoner. In the exact instant that Finch realizes that he is his own prisoner, the prison vanishes.The scene is a clear metaphor for the paradoxes of freedom. In Norsefire society, the government wields a huge amount of control over its people. And yet, as V has pointed out before, the people of England have chosen to submit to Norsefire. By choosing to elect Susan, abide by his rules, and fear his discipline, the Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit

“Did you think to kill me? There’s no flesh or blood within this cloak to kill. There’s only an idea. Ideas are bulletproof.”

Related Characters: V (speaker), Mr. Eric Finch

Related Symbols: Guy Fawkes Mask, “V” symbol

Page Number and Citation: 236

Explanation and Analysis:

In this important scene, Eric Finch tracks down V and shoots him. V (secretly bleeding to death) tells Finch that nobody can kill him, because he's an idea, not a man.V's statement isn't literally true, of course, but it's very powerful (and one of the most famous quotes from the work). V is a human being, but he's also much more. By wearing a cloak and a Guy Fawkes mask, V aims to erase his own personality and become a symbol. As a symbol, something without the flaws and complexities of a real human, V can inspire millions of other Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occae

I’m following my own orders now. And getting out before everything blows. Perhaps you should, too. Goodbye, Dominic. Take care, lad.

Related Characters: Mr. Eric Finch (speaker), Dominic Stone

Page Number and Citation: 252

Explanation and Analysis:

At the end of the graphic novel, Eric Finch crosses paths with his old coworker, Dominic Stone. Finch, transformed by his use of LSD, tells Dominic that he's no longer working for the government. His experiences with LSD and with V have convinced him that there's no point in living a life of fear and submissiveness. Instead of cowering before the Norsefire government, Finch chooses to "follow his own orders."The second part of Finch's advice is as interesting as the first. Finch knows that soon, the Norsefire government is going to "blow"--and he has no intention of being around when Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem

Mr. Eric Finch Character Timeline in V for Vendetta

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Eric Finch appears in V for Vendetta. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

The Leader next asks Mr. Finch to speak for “The Nose.” Finch explains that the terrorist used a set of highly... (full context)

Vendettas, Revenge, and the Personal Theme Icon

...The train has been crowded with police officers and detectives. One of these officers, Mr. Finch, is talking to a witness named Mr. Bishop, who explains that the train came to... (full context)

Immediately after the events at the end of the last chapter, Mr. Finch and his colleague, Dominic, climb aboard the train, which is now a crime scene. Finch... (full context)

Fatherhood, Mentorship, and the State Theme Icon

It is November 7, 1997, and Mr. Finch has gone to visit the Leader. Finch explains to the Leader that “V,” as he’s... (full context)

...Lilliman can call him “V.” Heyer quickly realizes that Lilliman is in danger, and alerts Finch and Almond to send men to Westminster. (full context)

When Finch and his men arrive at Bishop Lilliman’s home, it is the morning of December 21,... (full context)

Finch tries to reconstruct what happened the night before. Bishop Lilliman was alone in his room... (full context)

...turned out to be cyanide and killed him instantly. After completing the autopsy on Lilliman, Finch learns that the Bishop’s bodyguards were killed by a quick, powerful wound, almost as if... (full context)

It is September 3, 1998 at the Nose. Mr. Finch has returned from his vacation. He’s sitting with Dominic, discussing upcoming deadlines and duties he... (full context)

...high-level executive, sits alone. Dominic enters the room and asks him if he’s seen Mr. Finch lately. Mr. Etheridge replies that he hasn’t. Dominic explains that Mr. Finch has been acting... (full context)

...7, 1998. At the new Nose building, Dominic has taken over as the new head—Mr. Finch has been mysteriously absent from his post. Dominic explains to one of his subordinates that... (full context)

We cut to Mr. Finch, who is walking through the country outside London. Finch thinks about Delia. Eventually, he comes... (full context)

On November 7, 1998, Eric Finch arrives at Larkhill Camp. He realizes why he’s failed to catch V—he’s been unable to... (full context)

Finch looks up, and sees the faces of his old friends—blacks, homosexuals, and other “subversives.” In... (full context)

Finch walks into a building of Larkhill, where he’s surprised to find Delia, cooking dinner. Finch... (full context)

Finch feels himself floating into the very room where V once lived: Room Five. As he... (full context)

Stripped naked, Finch wanders into the distance, chanting words that begin with “V.” Eventually, he finds himself in... (full context)

Eric Finch, unshaven and dirty-looking, walks through the streets outside London. He continues muttering words that begin... (full context)

...is November 9, 1998. At 9:30 PM, a massive riot has broken out in London. Finch and Dominic stare out at the mob from the safety of their headquarters. Finch notes... (full context)

Finch turns to go. As he does so, Dominic suggests that drugs have addled Finch’s mind.... (full context)

Outside London, Mr. Finch is walking on a lonely path. Suddenly, he hears a loud explosion—Downing Street has been... (full context)

Mr. Eric Finch Character Analysis

Mr. Eric Finch Quotes in V for Vendetta

Book 1, Chapter 11 Quotes

Book 3, Chapter 4 Quotes

Book 3, Chapter 7 Quotes

Book 3, Chapter 10 Quotes

Mr. Eric Finch Character Timeline in V for Vendetta