Themes of Change in Zamyatin's We: Flowering of Russian Revolution

Zamyatin's We, a precursor to works such as 1984, is written in a style that simultaneously draws in and alienates the reader. Some items and events are explained in great detail, while others are left in a state of confusion. Record 35 of this complex novel illustrates the depth to which the rules of the society have become ingrained in the minds of the people. However, this Record also proves that beneath the blind, mathematical obedience, live thinking, emotional beings.

In this Record, written the day after the test run of the Interceptor, D-503 has only one goal. He wishes to kill U, for her betrayal of himself and I-330. He knows that murder is "somehow filthy, ancient," (We, p123) but he does not consider the consequences. He even, in his moment of anger, does something which would ultimately destroy his work, the Record. He wraps the pages of the Record around a piston rod, which he intends to use to kill U. This would, of course, tear the pages and smear blood on them. Luckily for the fate of the Records, this destruction does not occur.

Instead, after searching madly for U and not finding her, he returns to his room in despair. U soon arrives, with her own agenda.. D-503 immediately lowers the blinds, so that others will not see his crime. U mistakes his intentions, and eventually throws her naked body onto the bed in an attempt to please him. D drops the Record-wrapped rod and begins to laugh. As he says, "laughter is the most terrifying weapon: everything can be killed with laughter - even murder." (We, p126)

Before anything else can be decided, the phone rings. D-503 answers, and on the line is the Benefactor, requesting his presence. Blindly obeying, though he must be aware that this is likely a death sentence, D-503 prepares to leave. He demands to know of U whether or not she mentioned I-330 when she was giving information. U claims that she did not, because she was afraid that if she did, D would stop loving her. Her action is surprising. U does not think D will stop loving her for revealing his part in the plans, but does think he will stop if she harms I-330. This irrational behavior is motivated by emotion, not by the laws of the United State.

One way that Zamyatin shows emotion in the world of the United State is through color. There are striking examples, such as the yellow dress of I-330, or the Green Wall. More interesting, perhaps, are the subtle examples, many of which are used in Record 35. One such example, seen throughout the novel, is the "pink-brown gills" and "yellow, sagging body" (We, p125-6) of U. She contains some watered-down passion in the form of pink, but she is also largely yellow and brown, colors of disease and insanity. Although nothing negative is ever truly said of U, the reader feels negatively toward her due to this subtle use of color. Another discrete source of unpleasantness is the yellow, wrinkled forehead of D's neighbor.

One extremely interesting use of color is the contrast between white and black. D-503 refers to his weapon as "the white bundle" (We, p125). This bundle is made of his record, which he says contains "black, precise letters" (We, p123.) The Record itself, then, is associated with doctors, and with the white teeth of I-330. This Record is meant to cause a change, to "heal" those whom it is intended for. The black letters of the writing, however, are more closely tied to the "black wet mirror" (We, p126) of the glass that is everywhere. Black appears to be a very realistic color, showing what exists, with as little distortion as possible.

When these two ideas, that of displaying reality and that of healing, are combined, the "gray low shadows of twilight" (We, p125) are produced. The people are beginning to feel again, to think, and to examine the world around them. There is beginning to be dissension in the ranks. A purging or healing is, if not currently taking place, certainly being called for. The sky no longer obeys the precise color scheme of those in charge of the United State. A grayness has begun to creep in, and nothing stays within strict boundaries anymore, not even the physical Unite State.

It seems that although the people of the United State are content in most situations to comply, to take what they are given and be grateful for the protection given them, this is not always the case. Gradually, as the threat of losing their "fantasy" grows, so does unrest among the people. Dreaming is a vital part of living, and when this fundamental part is threatened, the emotions of the people, deeply buried, begin to make themselves known again.

I-330, standing on the platform in the train station, shouts to the people, using a kind of reverse psychology: "No, run back up there. . .they want to liberate you from the question marks. . . ." (We, p124). She then makes an outrageous (in this context) statement: "I want what I myself wish." (We, p 124) Early in the novel D-503 mentions his discontent with the idea of personal hours. He wishes to be told what to do, even in those two short hours of freedom. To want what you wish in a society such as this is tantamount to blasphemy.

However, more and more people seem to want what they wish. Signs reading "Down with Machines! Down with the Operation!" (We, p123-4) are displayed prominently. When an attempt is made to round up those in the subway, to be taken to the Operation, they quickly escape and scatter. Even U, who reveals the test flight plan to the Guardians, has obviously not gotten the Operation when she returns to D's room that evening at 21, despite that fact that every person is required to do so by the end of that day.

The people, refusing to let go of all-important fantasy, have begun to stand up against the tyranny of the United State. D-503, in contrast, walks calmly to the office of the Benefactor, though he has been presented with the needed tools and knowledge to secure his freedom. Being a mathematician, however, he cannot let go of his fear of the square root of -1 long enough to save himself. The end of the novel seems to suggest that there are enough others like D that the United State will soon forget its dissenters and return to a state of normalcy. However, this commentary is expressed through the pen of D, now entirely devoid of fantasy. It may well be that those who have glimpsed Freedom beyond the shattered Green Wall will not rest until they have attained it. One certainly hopes so.