English 2000

In a previous post another group explored Titus's journey as the protagonist of Feed. What development did you see for D-503 in Zamyatin's WE? How does he change from the beginning of the novel? Does he? If not, why?

D-503, the narrator of WE, is a loyal subject to OneState. He's a great mathematician and first builder of the INTEGRAL. In the beginning of the novel, Zamyatin portrays D-503's character as a devoted member of the OneState. Zamyatin reveals D-503's loyalty by delegating him the job of spreading the word of the OneState through his journal writings. In order to do this, one would have to be a devout follower of the OneState.

However, after meeting I-330, his dedication to the OneState begins to falter. From the beginning, I-330 is described as intangible. D-503 further relates the anxiety he feels with the idea of her being unknown and the same frustration when he learned of irrational numbers. He recognizes I-330 as different from the other Numbers. For example, he describes her face as an "X," which is peculiar because in math, an "x" is referred to as "unknown."

This "unknown" about I-330 causes D-503 to become frustrated because he cannot figure out her true identity. From this point on, the reader recognizes two different personalities of D-503: When alone, he is completely devoted to the OneState and the INTEGRAL; however, in the presence of I-330, he is vulnerable to her rebellious nature. For example, she leads him to the Ancient House when he has other priorities to fulfill. Initially, D-503 is hesitant about her intentions until he meets I-330 and all anxiety fades.

Ultimately, one would expect the character of D-503 to evolve in the novel. However, he constantly alternates his loyalty between his dual personalities. Just as the reader expects this climatic change, Zamyatin disappoints the readers by having the protagonist undergo the procedure in which his imagination is depleted. This returns D-503 to his initial position as a faithful member of the OneState.