Summary of We

"We" is a dystopian novel written by Yevgeny Zamyatin and first published in 1924. The story is set in a future society known as the One State, where citizens live under strict surveillance and regulation, with their lives governed by mathematical formulas and collective norms. Individuality is suppressed, and people are identified by numbers rather than names. The protagonist, D-503, is a mathematician and the chief architect of the spaceship Integral, which is intended to bring the principles of the One State to unregulated societies. As he begins to record his thoughts in a diary, he becomes increasingly aware of his own desires and individuality, spurred by his encounters with a woman named I-330, who represents rebellion against the oppressive regime. Throughout the novel, D-503 grapples with his feelings for I-330 and the conflict between his programmed loyalty to the One State and his burgeoning sense of self. The narrative delves into themes of conformity versus individuality, the nature of freedom, and the implications of a technologically controlled society. Ultimately, "We" explores the tension between the collective and the individual, highlighting the dangers of totalitarianism and the loss of personal identity in the face of an all-powerful state. The book is considered one of the earliest and most significant works of science fiction that critiques oppressive governments, influencing later dystopian literature, including George Orwell's "1984."