The dystopian society is what makes D-503 the character he is. The Table makes everyone do the same thing at the same time, and D-503 finds this conformity perfect and normal. The society is what D-503 loves, and when I-330 begins to fiddle with his emotions, D-503 begins to grapple with this new conflict, which is the overall plot of the novel. The theme of a dystopian society characterizes the book as a whole and its characters.
"A human being is like a novel: until the last page you don't know how it will end. Or it wouldn't be worth reading..." This quote struck me as very profound when I first read it, and the more you read it the more it makes sense. Not only is it applicable to the novel itself, it is also very applicable to your own life. In regards to We, it shows that everyone's emotions are subject to change, and it is always interesting to see how the story, or character, ends. D-503, for example went through so many emotional fluctuations that the reader had to be curious about how the story would play out. This quote is very applicable to the book and holds great truth about people themselves.
In regards to the book as a whole, I like We. The story is engaging and thought provoking, and also has unexpected plot twists. I also like how it was written, from the perspective of D-503, and it was written in such a way that you feel connected to D-503. The only downside to the book is the detachment of sentences. D-503's emotional fluctuations get so extreme that often he does not even finish his sentences, making the book hard to understand at parts. However, in the grand scheme of things, this style chosen by Yevgeny Zamyatin is crucial to the novel as a whole and to the reader understanding it. Besides that, I definitely enjoyed Yevgeny Zamyatin's We.
I couldn’t agree more DJ, and not simply because you are one of the MEN. D-503’s love of this dystopian society and numerous connections to its ideals heightens his internal conflict when it is called into question. Characterization is pivotal in developing this connection in every aspect of his character. Chiefly D-503 is a mathematician, highly esteemed and charged with the construction of a space vessel for OneState that shall spread its ideals to all peoples. By directly serving the society and being entrusted with this lofty task D-503 demonstrates his conformity with society and their shared literal and analytical capacity. D-503 full heartedly believes in the ideals of the society, convinced that no truer form of happiness can be found outside of that derived by logic. Even when intangible emotions muddle this idea, D-503 still finds himself unable to abandon this fundamental belief. He therefore continues to adhere to the principles of the society, and devotes all his thought to the rationalization of his conflict internally. This contrast between his long held principles and current reality is expressed in the reflective arguments throughout the novel, and strengthened profoundly by his inherent connection to the society.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the quote you chose, I agree. People are fascinating because one can never be completely sure of what they are going to do. The only way that one can discover the end of a novel is to read the entire story. One cannot skip ahead or skim the work, or the person, because otherwise only a glimpse or shadow of their story is told. In order to truly understand a novel or know a person, one must remain until the very end and uncover different mysteries along the way. In the case of "We", this quote is relevant, because until the very end of the novel and the very end of these different character's lives, there is always the element of surprise. If you don't finish the book, the entire message of the work will elude you.
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