A predominating topic in the novel We, by Yevgeny Zamyatin, is individualism. Zamyatin expresses this idea through the satirical dystopia of OneState. In OneState, all Numbers are equal in every feasible way: same gray uniform, same Table of Hours, same mathematically logical mind. Yet after the protagonist, D-503, meets the rebellious I-330, he is broken from the hypnotic egality, and sees himself not simply as a servant of OneState and the Benefactor, but as a man, "And for the first time in my life, I swear it, for the very first time in my life, I get a clear, distinct, conscious look at myself--" (Zamyatin 59). D-503's transformation is the main illustration of individualism in We, as well as the mocking tone Zamyatin portrays against the ludicrous idea of OneState.
When D-503 writes about the beauty of math and numbers, and how any form of inspiration is barbaric, Zamyatin is ironically unleashing his thoughts on the importance of individualism, and passion. The belief that inspiration and creativity are laughable, archaic forms of thought appears insulting to contemporary audiences. Zamyatin utilizes this to his advantage by having D-503 write about many outlandish ideals that OneState treasures, "Freedom and criminality are just as indissolubly linked as...well, as the movement of an aero and its velocity" (36). By calling freedom a synonym of criminality, Zamyatin is enhancing its necessity to the audience.
Individualism is vital for our survival as humans; it produces inventions, explorations, art, etcetera that all add meaning to our lives. Yevgeny Zamyatin's We proves value of individualism through the use of satirical irony. His main message to his audience through this novel is that a single, unique mind is more significant than a massive population of unfeeling machines.
No comments:
Post a Comment