WE

First written in Russian in 1920 and first published in English in 1924, We is a dystopian novel by Yevgeny Zamyatin, a Russian author known for his work in science fiction, philosophy, literary criticism, and political satire.

Setting and Story

The narrative unfolds hundreds of years into a gloomy future, where citizens live under the total control and surveillance of a police state called One State. This society is unique in that the country is constructed almost entirely out of glass, enabling the government to monitor every move of its citizens.

• Citizens are expected to:
  • March in step.
  • Wear prescribed uniforms.
  • Refer to each other by assigned numbers instead of names.

The protagonist, D-503, is a mathematician who initially lives willingly under One State's strict rules. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he meets I-330, a rebel who embodies the creativity and passion forbidden by One State.

Themes and Significance

WE, regarded as one of the most powerful dystopias of all time, was written shortly after the Russian Revolution. It serves as a profound warning about:

• The perils of totalitarianism.
• The dehumanization of individuals by reducing them to mere numbers within a system of conformity.
• The dangers of a society where thought crimes and non-conformist behavior can lead to elimination.

Set in the 26th century, the novel depicts a "perfect" society created after two centuries of war, offering a chilling vision of the future.

Influence on Literature

This thought-provoking novel has had a significant impact on dystopian literature. Both George Orwell (1984) and Aldous Huxley (Brave New World) have been accused of borrowing ideas from We. Now, it is presented here in a modern translation, ready to inspire a new generation of readers.