Considering the overall amount of literature devoted to the subjects related to social dystopia, it appears more than obvious that “WE” by Yevgeny Zamyatin represents one of the most influential and even fundamental works in the genre. In addition to brilliantly expressing the author’s talent, it has also become the strongest foundation for the anti-utopists to express their own thoughts in literature form. Nevertheless, it is still worth accepting that even the works of his future followers have not been that symbolic and scientifically exact compared to his own book.
For everyone who has read that book, it appears more than clear that the scientifically-explained foundation of the book’s plot becomes an interesting and explicit explanation for the images of the main characters along with their corresponding actions. Zamyatin describes the world ruled by the concepts of mathematics; therefore, his heroes also appear subject to these laws having the names of different variables along with representing exact mathematical figures and shapes. What is more important, the relationships between the novel’s heroes are also closely correlated with the mathematical relations of the shapes and figures according to the laws of theoretical math. Thus, the main purpose of the current project will be showing a particular example of such relations between two secondary heroes of the novel – female characters O-90 and I-330 that are closely related to the novel’s protagonist, D-503.
Having dug deeper into the plot of the novel, it becomes clear that author had his respective aim to describe I-330 as the most revolutionary and rebellious character of the novel, while O-90 had its respective role of a simple woman, in need of attention and love from D-503. Thus, for the current paper it is also necessary to prove or deny this statement and figure out, what is rebellion depicted in “WE” and what it could be, as well.
The first and the most obvious point of comparison of both these characters is their appearance. In fact, their appearances appear to be exact the same as their names of the variables and shapes they represent. O-90 has its respective shape of circle, which finds its representations in almost each part of her body – “all made of circles with a childlike dimple on her wrist” (Zamyatin 8). Complementing the image of geometrical circle, this particular character appears to be the embodiment of natural feminine characteristics – emotionality and need for attention and protection from males. In addition, the geometrical circle appears to be one of the ideal shapes according to the laws of geometry and math; from the anthropological perspective, however, it is the symbol of completeness and perfection. That’s why O-90 is defined as corresponding image of perfect woman and mother in the world of “WE”.
I-330 has considerably different appearance, which also exactly corresponds her name being triangular and linear. Her shape of the body is literally depicted closely similar to the geometric line that has no beginning and no end along with a complete absence of any certain angle. Therefore, it appears more than obvious that her behavior is explained as unpredictable and uncertain. Zamyatin depicts her as “slender, abrupt, resistantly flexible like a whip” (Zamyatin 8) and whose position has no vector and no destination similarly to geometric line. In addition, such uncertainty is significantly complemented by the X coming from her face lines. It is worth reminding that X appears to be one of the most uncommon variables among the Numbers described in the novel. In other words, nobody had such name that equals to unstable and uncertain variable. Thus, it is worth concluding that according to the values and norms of One State, even the appearance of I-330 was rebellious and revolutionary.
Second point of comparison for both these characters is the most important value in life and corresponding achievement of goals according to this value. For example, from the first sight O-90 is depicted as successfully fitting in the norms of social system established by the One State. Her major values are family and love to her husband and child. What is more important in this regard, these values appear to have higher significance and importance for her than to be an effective and righteous citizen of One State. Nevertheless, her values and goals are clear, predictable and natural for any woman. On the contrary, I-330 aims to be a person who changes everything just for the sake of changes, as she does not seem to rationally describe her actions and corresponding intentions. She does not necessarily care about the destiny of the One State’s citizens if she succeeds destroying the regime of the Benefactor. Thus, her aims and values appear to be uncertain, emotional and hardly rational.
Third factor to consider, is the behavior of both these characters that is associated with their attitude towards the novel’s protagonist – D-503. In particular, O-90 is obviously in love with him desperately, dreaming of living with him and their child as a family in One State. Her sincerity towards him is demonstrated through her every action; moreover, she also accepts the fact that D-503 love I-330 and wants to be with her. She adjusts to this situation and wants to keep a child from him, as a reminder about her relationships with D. As for the attitude of I-330 towards him, through the plot of the novel, it appears more than clear that she mostly uses him to realize her own plans of destroying the system of One State and offer the Numbers the life of the wildlings living outside the State. It seems that she is not interested in his character and his personality – what she really cares about is his hairy hands close to the ones of wildlings. In addition, she is also aware that D-503 is a talented engineer who is capable of operating the Spaceship, with the help of which I wants to destroy the government of Benefactor. D-503 is clearly in love with I-330; however, the last never seems to express sincere love and compassion towards him and his values. Thus, the overall concept of revolution and corresponding thoughts of I-330 are more valuable and precious to her than D-503.
Therefore, it is worth concluding that I-330 appears to represent the overall concept of revolution and change to the regime dominating One State; however, her understanding of revolution is stimulate by her selfish desire to change the life of other people without any agreement with them. Moreover, she does not seem to even bother asking the rest of the Numbers if they want any changes and whether they want to trade the mathematically exact and correct life in One State to the life full of uncertainties and dangers of the life of the Ancients. As for the image of O-90, she is following the rules of One State and does not want any radical changes in the State’s government; however, she wants to follow her feminine nature of being a beloved woman and mother regardless of the values of the State. Thus, by the end of the novel, O-90 appears to become closer to nature than any of the Numbers could ever be; in other words, she is also representing values opposing to the course of the State.
Works Cited
Zamyatin, Yevgeny. We. Modern Library, 2006. Print.
