"We"

     In the novel, We, the overall theme particularly interested me. I enjoyed the use of numbers and equations to reflect the basis of an oppressive utopian society because, well, I absolutely despise math. However, that is beside the point! The author, Yevgeny Zamyatin, utilizes mathematics to eliminate abstract thought, leaving the citizens of One-State without any mental or emotional capacity for imagination. D-530 even deems such thought as preposterous, simply absurd and moronic. Why even allow yourself to think theoretically, when all answers can be found within an equation?
     That is exactly it though. There is no equation for emotion. There is no equation for love, hate, sadness or envy. There is no equation for life. The author displays D-530 originally completely consumed by concrete thought, finding comfort within numbers. Yet as he is influenced by I-330 (who is a direct representation of imagination; the "I" in her name is a reflection of the symbol used by mathematicians to identify imaginary numbers), he begins to develop the ability to think abstractly, beyond equations. This begins his mental revolution -  the downfall of his sanity, yet the beginning to his rise as an individual. Imagination and conceptual thought is what makes someone an individual. The ability to form ideas, and  to answer questions with those personally formed ideas, is what makes us human. Learning from each other is what progresses us as a species. Without imagination, there is no progression. Without individuality, there are no advancements. That is the essential theme of the novel - imagination and individuality makes humanity. The only characteristics that make the citizens of One-State human is their physicality. They are not born, they are produced. One-State produces machines.  They are exact copies of one another mentally, and near exact physical replications. All answers are found in concrete equations, and that is it. No exceptions. Because of this, they are forced beneath the oppression of the ultimate rule of the Benefactor, and there is no way above it.
     I found the passage of when D-503 is looking in the mirror and reflecting upon himself to be particularly interesting. The passage contains the line, "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; I see myself and I’m astonished, like I’m looking at some 'him.'" This illustrates how he is finally realizing that he is developing, rather, the beginning of his individuality. He is a different person now; he is someone unfamiliar. However, he identifies the reflection as himself, therefore understanding that he is changing. This reflection is described as "clear", "distinct" and "conscious". It is his true reflection, his individual identity. What he found comfort in before is clouded compared to image of himself he sees now. He is a revolutionizing human, standing apart from his mechanical brethren. He is finally beginning to think, he had finally awaken his consciousness from the numbness of conformity. 
      We was definitely an interesting novel, with an interesting overall theme of the importance of imagination and individuality. However, this novel did not stand out to me, it itself did not seem unique. Perhaps I have just grown tired at this point of studying utopian societies. It seemed repetitive and easy to get lost in, leaving me to have to reread passages because I have lost interest. Yet, unlike most of the class, I enjoyed the way the author developes the character through his dramatic viewpoint changes, and how it became more frequent as the story progresses. It really shows how D-503 changes without him fully understanding it. It displays his development through the way he says things, than just what he says. Essentially, my feelings towards We is neutral - just another book we had to read in class.