Thoughts On "We"

On the basis of whether or not I like the book "We," my answer is yes and no.  I enjoyed the novels use of math and formulas to explain the society and D-503's feelings.  Such as D-503's use of the velocity of an aero to explain crime, or how the square root of -1 is a symbol for how D-503 feels about I-330.  In this regard I found the work intriguing because I can understand the math and although I do not necessarily agree I see where D-503 is coming from.  However, in certain aspects I dislike this novel.  For example, at times I found the story difficult to follow because of D-503's erratic emotions and cut off sentences.  I dislike the use syntax in this piece because D-503 randomly stops and starts sentences, confusing the reader.  Another reason that this novel is not my favorite is based on certain plot elements.  Personally, I prefer a story of triumph.  While I understand that D-503 receiving the operation is an important plot element and adds great significance to the work, I would not have chosen this as an ending if I were the author.  In addition to this, I also dislike a few key things in the relationship between D-503 and I-330.  Because D-503 is experiencing emotional turmoil he acts extremely controlling over I-330.  This controlling nature causes me to have an aversion to the character of D-503.  Overall, my dislike of particular things in the novel did not outweigh my understanding of the novel's literary merit, thus as a whole I enjoyed the work.

My Favorite Quote from "We"

""Liberation?"Astonishing how the criminal instincts do survive in the human species.  I choose the word criminal advisedly.  Freedom and criminality are just as indissolubly linked as . . . well, as the movement of an aero and its velocity.  When the velocity of an aero is reduced to 0, it is not in motion; when a man's freedom is reduced to zero, he commits no crimes.  That's clear.  And now when we'd only just managed to get rid of it (in the cosmic scale of things, centuries amount to "only just"), suddenly some pathetic morons . . ." (36 Zamyatin).

This passage is my favorite because of how obvious it is that this way of thinking is a lie.  In the same paragraph D-503 claims that because there is no freedom there is no crime but also discusses how a group of people attempt to uproot OneState, which is a crime.  This passage is interesting based on its absurdity.  D-503 endeavors to explain that because there is no crime, all the while contradicting himself by stating that these certain individuals are committing crimes.  Until the operation in which the imagination is destroyed is implemented, there is still crime.  I-330 commits crimes on a daily basis: plotting against OneState, lying about her location, have non-pink ticket prescribed sex, and etc.  D-503 also is a criminal in the eyes of OneState because he does not report I-330, he has sex with her without a pink ticket, and he lies about I-330's whereabouts.  Even O-90 performs a crime by allowing herself to become pregnant.  All of these examples prove that D-503's original equation in regards to crime is false.  The irony behind this quote is one of the many reasons it is my favorite from this novel.  According to D-503's original views crime should not exist, however, he learns that even without freedom "crimes" will still occur.  Thus because of how hypocritical this quote is, it is one of the best in this work.

"We" by Yevgeny Zamyatin: Analysis: The Relationship Between D-503 and I-330

One of the most interesting portions of this novel is the complex relationship between D-503 and I-330.  Throughout this work there is a struggle of power between the two of them, however, even though there is a struggle, it is not really a competition, for I-330 is undoubtedly the one in charge.  During this work of literature, I-330 makes use of her sexuality in order to trick D-503 into doing as she wishes.  As the builder of The Integral, D-503 in necessary for I-330's plan, thus she must mislead and convince him to follow her orders.  She also needs D-503 as a cover story when she wants OneState to believe she is with D-503 when she is actually planning the rebellion.  In certain aspects there is a relationship between them, however, as the novel progresses it is evident that I-330 is only using D-503.  D-503 has feelings for I-330 from when he first meets her.  Originally, D-503 classifies these emotions as hate, when he later discovers that he is in love with her.  D-503 is unsure of his feelings toward I-330 most of the novel, constantly riding upon the line between love and hate.  This inner turmoil causes D-503 to experience rapid mood swings in which he is controlling and possessive of I-330.  While D-503 feelings develop during the novel, it is clear that I-330 is only interested in D-503 because of what he can provide for her.  Thus the relationship between D-503 and I-330 is a fascinating topic to discuss because of the many different facets of their life as a couple.