We+Response

Return to Eden: //Making the Irrational Rational// Before describing how //We// by Yevgeny Zamyatin is an anti-utopia, we must first look at how the society being described is trying to be //utopian//. Throughout the novel, several attempts at utopian ideals are described, such as collectiveness, order, and transparency; however, the fundamental objective of the society is not revealed until the novel is nearly over. This is “utopian” society strives to find its way back to ultimate perfection, before lust, and greed, and envy, and pride. The One State works to shape the society back intoa perfect paradise similar to that of Eden. This Eden story has all of the same characters as the original Biblical anecdote: Adam, Eve, God, and a Serpent. However, in this version of the story, it works in reverse. The “fall” brings them right back to where it all began – right back to paradise.

This can only be explained if the characters are first realized. The role of God is played by the Benefactor, an all-powerful and mighty ruler. It is his plan to bring people back to paradise by making them partake in an operation that will rid them of their imagination, along with their irrational human desires. He sums it up with these words:

//"I ask you: what have people – from the very cradle – prayed for, dreamed about, and agonized over? They have wanted someone, anyone, to tell them once and for all what happiness is – and then to attach them to this happiness with a chain… What are we now doing if it isn’t this? The ancient dream about paradise… Remember: in paradise, they don’t know desire, they don’t know pity, they don’t know love." (Zamyatin, 187)//

There’s the serpent: S. He’s always around and always watching. He is silent as he prepares for the perfect moment to make his move. The shape of his body, his slithering travel patterns, and his prominent Adam’s Apple all aid in shaping this character to be the main tempter for this Eden story. He is deceptive, appearing to be on both sides at the same time. The reality is, he works for the Benefactor, trying to lure D-503 into taking a bite out of his forbidden fruit, or having the operation, if you will.

Then there is Eve, the one who falls victim of the serpent’s trap: D-503. The entire novel focuses on his ever-changing opinions and feelings regarding the society he lives in. Sometimes he is drawn to rebel, while other times he glorifies the One State and everything it stands for. But inevitably, he bites into that forbidden fruit and has the operation, allowing him to fall into this presumed paradise.

Finally, there’s Adam. This character that does not follow the path laid out in the Biblical story. I-330 plays the role of D-503’s partner throughout the novel, but in the end, she does not bite into the forbidden fruit. She rebels against the society and is crucified for it, but that is a story for another time.

It is clear that this society is trying to be utopian, yet it is labeled as an anti-utopia, largely because the society is trying to make the irrational rational. The fact remains that humans are irrational beings, and while the surrounding environment can be neatly described in a mathematical equation, human behavior cannot be. The Benefactor realized that love, desire, and pity are just some of the emotions that even a seemingly perfect society cannot eradicate, and that is why he saw the need for the operation. The problem with this anti-utopia lies in the fact that the society is trying to create predictable human beings. People are incapable of fitting into one specific cookie-cutter mold for behavior, appearance, and belief, yet this society is striving to make that a reality. The only way this can be conceivable is by changing human nature, by removing emotions, desires, and imagination, which is exactly what the operation was intended to do. A natural society can never be accurately described as “we,” despite how strongly the One State fought to that into a reality.

This is a really interesting take on We as a twisted Garden of Eden allegory. I like the idea that D is being tempted to fall back into Eden. The only part of your analogy that doesn't quite work is I-330 as Adam. Adam does eat the fruit in the original story, as opposed to I-330.
 * Comments: **

I had thought of the Eden analogy working in a different direction. The One State is paradise (though it's a false paradise). I-330 is Eve who tempts Adam, D-530, into rebellion. The ending of the novel departs from the Eden story by reincorporating D-530 into the One State instead of casting him out as Adam and Eve were.

P.S. Alyson, you should read Jessie's essay. She has a completely different interpretation of the Eden theme. It's closer to what I laid out above, but she explains it much better than I did.