The Uniformity concept in We by Yevgeny Zamyatin - Essay Example

The Uniformity concept in “We” Uniform is a concept that has been applied in the novel, “We”, to roundup the whole essence of thebook, which is the creation of an equitable society through utopian and totalitarianism that hinders any form of freedom. All the people (Numbers) in the nation of One State wore similar uniforms. The issue of wearing similar uniforms was not the only aspect of uniformity, but even the way the Numbers walked while wearing the uniform in the State, was apparently also in uniformity. The author has summarized the concept of uniformity through the statement, “the Numbers, hundreds, thousands of Numbers lived in light blue unifs (uniform)” (Zamyatin, 7). The concept of uniform has not been applied to only mean that all the numbers in the State were supposed to look similar, but also to underline the fact that all numbers in the state were equal. The numbers were not only equal in the way the state treated them, but also equal in the manner of their behaviors and thoughts. In this respect, the faces of the numbers when they walked abreast in fours, also displayed uniformity, owing to the fact that “our faces are unclouded by the insanity of thoughts” (Zamyatin, 7). The numbers did not have a wave or stream of thought that was different from one another. This is because; the State was a State where all personal thoughts and emotions were not allowed. Uniformity is an important aspect of this book, since it underlines every bit of the habit and behavior of the inhabitants of the State. The Benefactor, who was the leader of the State, required that all the Numbers should wear uniforms, walk in uniformity, think and feel in uniformity, since uniformity was the basis of sustaining unity within the state. Therefore, the numbers who dared to show a stream of thoughts, feelings or emotions that depicted some aspects of individualism had to go through a surgery to remove the part of the brain responsible for such emotions. The numbers were supposed to regulate their emotions, so that they could be in line with the prescribed uniform standard of emotions for everyone in the state. The influence of Number I-330 on the life of Number D-503 did not go unnoticed (Zamyatin, 84). Number I-330 had already developed rebellious tendencies, emotions and thoughts that were inspired by her association with the rebel group, Memphis, and the same had been passed on to Number D-503 gradually. In addition, Number D-503 had also started to develop affection feelings for Number I-330, prompting his inspection, whose results were given by the doctor as; “l deem it my duty to testify that Number D-503 is ill and is unable to regulate his emotions” (Zamyatin, 120). The Numbers in the state were not supposed to have a brain or a soul that would result in each number thinking or generating personal feelings or thoughts. Thus, once it was noticed that a Number was having such a brain or soul, then, removal was the only option. Number D-503, the protagonist in this book faced the situation, when the influence of I-330 was discovered to be interfering with his though and feelings process. Thus, when he went to the doctor, the doctor’s reaction was "what is the matter-a soul? You say a soul? Oh, damn it!...Only surgery can help here, only surgery" (Zamyatin, 86). Surgery was to b performed n the Number, so that he could reflect uniformity of thoughts and feelings with the rest of the Numbers in the State. Uniform is an important symbol in the book, “We”. This is because; the residents of the State did not only wear similar uniforms and think and feel the same feelings, but they also lived in similar glass houses (Zamyatin, 55). The houses were built of glass so that spying and observing all the conduct and behavior of the residents of the State was easier. All the residents had to be spied on by the Guardians. Their movement, their actions, their thought and everything else that could be displayed on their face such as emotions, had to be monitored and reported for the sake of taking the appropriate action, if any of the Numbers was deviating from the norms of the uniform state. It is also interesting that everything had to be done uniformly by all the Numbers. Going to work, walking on the streets and moving out of the streets had to be uniform, since there were certain hours beyond which the numbers were not allowed to be found on the street (59). Interestingly, even sleeping for the Numbers had to be uniform, since they were also required to report to work at the same time, and by that time, they must have had enough sleep to re-energize for the day’s work. Achieving uniformity in behavior, clothing and even movement can be relatively easy. However, achieving uniformity is sleeping for everyone in the State cannot be such easy, but since uniformity was the most important aspect of the State, all the Numbers were required to observe the uniform sleeping requirement. Thus, in the state, "At night all the Numbers must sleep; sleeping at night is a duty…Not to sleep at night is criminal" (Zamyatin, 56). Uniformity therefore stands for everything that the book, “We” is about, owing to the fact that any deviation from the rules of uniformity in whichever aspect was considered punishable. Uniformity was the glue that held the State together, so that no single Number could be seen to act, think, live or move differently, since such difference would be the recipe for the disintegration of the society in the State. Sex in the State was regulated and had to follow a pattern of uniformity. The societal control that enhances the peaceful coexistence of one another is appropriate. However, the uniformity of the sex situation in the State was beyond what can be described as appropriate social control. Love is something that was prohibited in the State, due to the fact that love is one of the premise upon which dissension is built. Therefore, only sex between the Numbers was allowed, but no feelings of love or attachment. This is because; “the State directed its attack…against love” (Zamyatin, 22). The state had established the various days when the Numbers would be engaged in Sex. Nevertheless, the Numbers had to notify the state regarding their partners with whom they were having sex during the designated days, through the use of a pink ticket that was allocated to the partners who were to engage in love making at the designated day and hour. According to Number D-503, all the other days the glass houses were not to be covered with curtains. It is only during the designated sex hours that the curtains had to be drawn, and “this right exists in our State only for the sexual days” (Zamyatin, 19). Therefore, uniformity also plays another important role in defining how sex should be shared among the Numbers in the State, so that no one would do it in a way that is not recommended, and no one would be having it when it is not designated. The concept of sex day’s allocation was mathematically established. The Numbers were allowed to have sex with any other Number of the opposite sex. This was an effective measure to ensure that any Number could engage with whomever he/she wanted, and for that reason, jealousy would not exist (Zamyatin, 19). The only requirement was for the interested Number to apply for the services of the other Number, so that any one Number could not be allocated to two Numbers at the same time. Thus, with each Number being able to engage with whichever Number of their choice, there would be no reason for jealousy or even envy for one another (Zamyatin, 22). Thus, uniformity is the fundamental principle upon which every aspect in the book, “We”, is built. Works Cited Zamyatin, Yevgeny. We. New York: E.P. Dutton, 1924. Print. Read More