We Journal #1

In the dystopian novel We, by Yevgeny Zamyatin, the setting is designed to represent the confinement that the characters live in. It is set in the future to encompass the dystopian aspect of the novel. It is important to know that in One-state almost everything is made out of glass, and therefore the characters lose a sense of privacy and freedom, because the glass is transparent. Additionally, One-state is entirely based on the society as a whole, which is why it's called we. It is therefore not focused on individuality. People have names that have a prefix and a number. A male will have a consonant and an odd number; whereas, women have a vowel which is followed by an even number. D-503 seems to praise to the society that he lives in. Furthermore, D-503 says that, "In half a minute she'll be here, for our daily walk" (4). This is an example that shows that D-503 follows a precise and organized schedule for his day.

I noticed some prominent motifs, such as light and color. D-503 uses colors often when he is expressing his emotions. Colors are blended in with all situations in the novel. Blue represents peace, "I woke: soft, bluish light, glimmer of glass walls, glass chairs and table. This calmed me..." (32). Also, the sky is described by the perfect blue that surrounds One-State. D-503 uses the color yellow when describing I-330. Pink is used when talking about women, especially his partners. The "pink coupons" and when he talks about women's "pink lips", which all contribute to this motif. Green is used when talking about that wall surrounding One-state to show the lack of freedom the society possesses. Lastly, light is used throughout the novel in a variety of ways. This illuminates that not all aspects of D-503's life and others living in One-state are being completely controlled.

The language is creative and uses some figurative language. An example is shown when Zamyatin uses a simile, "And the brass rhythms: "'Ta-ta-ta-tam! Ta-ta-ta-tam!' Like brass stairs gleaming in the sun, and every step taking you higher and higher, into the dizzying blue...." (5). I believe Zamyatin uses more complex language to exemplify the futuristic setting and the complicated math aspect of the novel. Certain sentences can be confusing, but the overall language is very clear. D-503 uses mathematics in his speech many times, which could emphasize the importance of math that is placed on this society. He uses math terms such as parabolas and tangent line to describe the face of a person often. Through the setting, motifs, and the language Zamyatin provides a way to get involved with the nightmare-like society that We is set in.