Impressions of We

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin is considered the father of the dystopian novel. Protagonist D-503 lives in the country called OneState in 26 A.D. following the 200 Years War. The government has built a Wall to block the Numbers (citizens) from seeing or experiencing nature. The Benefactor runs not only the government but serves as the God of OneState, the entity everyone fears disappointing. D-503 represents a man completely loyal and trustworthy of the city created by OneState, but he slowly loses his sense of mental control after meeting I-330, a woman who questions the government and everything it stands for. Is his growing imagination an effect of the love he feels for I-330 or the discovery of individualism in a society where it has been eradicated?

Via: Wikipedia

Love, Lust, and the Sex in Between

D-503 falls in love with I-330 from their first encounter, but how can it be determined that what he feels is love, lust, or the desire to speak with someone about topics that are illegal? It’s difficult to argue that D-503 is driven by lust or sexual desire because OneState has made it acceptable and easy to request a sex partner via snail mail and pink tickets. All a number must do is send in the name he or she desires with a pink ticket, and if he or she is accepted then a date and time is allotted (usually twenty or thirty minutes) or, if rejection is the answer, then he or she moves on to another potential partner.

Impressions of Oryx and Crake

Snowman and all his confusion lies here.

Margaret Atwood’s writing is inspirational, witty, and progressive, and I am in no position to critique or review her work; therefore, an impression as well as a brief analysis of the novel will suffice. Oryx and Crake tells the story of Jimmy/Snowman and his life in an utopia, a dystopia, and the aftermath of civilization’s destruction. Divided into fifteen parts, the novel alternates space and time between the vacillating viewpoints of the protagonist, either as defeated Snowman or clueless Jimmy. Because the novel cannot be reviewed by my meager wisdom, I have decided to give my impression and a brief analysis of the ideas brought up.

Creation of an Utopia

The most prominent plot point is Crake’s dream of eliminating all human characteristics and replacing them with animal traits in an effort to create the ideal person. This idea establishes the utopia of the novel.