Sunday, January 30, 2011
Individualism lost in the robotic movement...
The topic of my paper will center around why I think Zamyatin really wrote the book and what sort of warnings he intended the readers to gather from the novel. I think that he had this amazing insight into the future in regards of dictatorship and the frailty of the human race. I will discuss how his understanding of what it means to be both human and happy may not follow the conventional definition, but he is able to portray a world where neither of those terms truly exist. He does this through the mind of the complex character D-503. Through him, Zamyatin created an ideal canvas to further illustrate this society as a perfect picture of disaster in its prime.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Final thoughts on WE...
WOW. Where to begin? Vaguely put, this book was like nothing I've ever read before. But, of course, this description doesn't do the book any justice. In every literary aspect, WE challenged the dexterity of my mind to the fullest. I attempted to follow D-503's scattered thoughts, pick up on Zamaytin's deep metaphors, and read into the symbolism of it all. I must say though, this is easier said than done!
From a reader's point of view, I felt an initial disappointment that the novel didn't have a "happier" ending. But the more I thought about the components and overall tone of the story, I realized that a fairytale ending wouldn't suit the novel in the least. Although I really believed that D-503, I-330, and the rest of the group plotting against the onestate would successfully escape, I think that this ending would have left me more dissatisfied because of its improbability. Their emancipation would have gone against the entire scheme of the novel, where the onestate always wins. The rebels had to be suppressed. Once again, their thoughts and dreams were crushed, which was necessary in further showing the power of the onestate. And even though at one point in the story I thought that was nearly impossible for rebels to not succeed in gaining freedom, the Benefactor and associates were able to suffocate their only chance for real happiness. So the cold, mecanized world lives on. Here, D-503 is no longer human. He is a robot in this society of machines where a soul is sickness, imagination is absurd, and freedom is inconceivable.
From a reader's point of view, I felt an initial disappointment that the novel didn't have a "happier" ending. But the more I thought about the components and overall tone of the story, I realized that a fairytale ending wouldn't suit the novel in the least. Although I really believed that D-503, I-330, and the rest of the group plotting against the onestate would successfully escape, I think that this ending would have left me more dissatisfied because of its improbability. Their emancipation would have gone against the entire scheme of the novel, where the onestate always wins. The rebels had to be suppressed. Once again, their thoughts and dreams were crushed, which was necessary in further showing the power of the onestate. And even though at one point in the story I thought that was nearly impossible for rebels to not succeed in gaining freedom, the Benefactor and associates were able to suffocate their only chance for real happiness. So the cold, mecanized world lives on. Here, D-503 is no longer human. He is a robot in this society of machines where a soul is sickness, imagination is absurd, and freedom is inconceivable.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Le State of the Union Address
To be completely honest, this was definitely the first time I have ever watched the State of the Union Address in its entirety. In doing so, however, I realized this will also not be the last time I tune in for the entire speech. I found the content very interesting and Obama's words inspiring. I sort of assumed I would find myself bored after some time, but to my pleasent surprise, my focus stood strong.
Obama had quite a few poignant quotes that really struck my core. I translated these well put phrases from their intended 'big picture' emphasis to a more personal level. One particualar quote I enjoyed came at the end of the speech. "I'm not sure how I'll reach that better place beyond the horizon, but I know I'll get there." I always like quotes centering around hope and believing in yourself, and this one is a great example. I also enjoyed the concept of "winning the future" as if it is a prize that you earn. This idea gives a new meaning to my view of working toward a successful and fulfilling future. Well done, Mr. President. You win; you always do.
Obama had quite a few poignant quotes that really struck my core. I translated these well put phrases from their intended 'big picture' emphasis to a more personal level. One particualar quote I enjoyed came at the end of the speech. "I'm not sure how I'll reach that better place beyond the horizon, but I know I'll get there." I always like quotes centering around hope and believing in yourself, and this one is a great example. I also enjoyed the concept of "winning the future" as if it is a prize that you earn. This idea gives a new meaning to my view of working toward a successful and fulfilling future. Well done, Mr. President. You win; you always do.
My Life in the Onestate
In WE, I find the most disturbing aspect of D-503's perspective on life in the onestate to be his fear of individuality and the concept of 'I' altogether. It makes me uneasy to think of a life without the ability to express my individuality. In the onestate, I wouldn't be able to engage in my favorite activities that set me apart from others, things that make me unique and different and HAPPY. I would hate being considered nothing more than an insignificant part of a mechanized group. In my journey towards becoming a robotic member of this group, the last of my dignity would dissipate as my name became a number, just like the other robots. How completely demoralizing it would be to feel trapped in a society of machines that were once considered humans. Individuality is freedom is life.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Historical Strategies and WE
In both the literal and methaphorical sense almost everything about WE can be seen as Communism based. If the reader has little knowledge of the principles of a Communist society, or more importantly the historical instances of Communism, they won't fully grasp the cultural context of WE. Being familiar with the dicatorship and the adversity the population faced in 1920s Russia gives the reader insight into the hardships of the era.
Historically, I think that WE is best understood from a Marxist point of view, dealing with culture, race, class, and power. In the one state, it is clear that culture, race, and class are nonexistent, while the power of the Benefactor is unlimited. In the textbook, it is stated "Literature is essentially political because it either challenges or supports economic oppression". I find this phrase to reflect WE perfectly. The story challenges the restrictions of Communism to the core.
Historically, I think that WE is best understood from a Marxist point of view, dealing with culture, race, class, and power. In the one state, it is clear that culture, race, and class are nonexistent, while the power of the Benefactor is unlimited. In the textbook, it is stated "Literature is essentially political because it either challenges or supports economic oppression". I find this phrase to reflect WE perfectly. The story challenges the restrictions of Communism to the core.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Literary elements in WE
Style: Zamyatin's style is centered around his specific word choice. One example of this is the frequent emphasis of D-503 referring to society as a whole, as We. He is comforted by this fact, by the limited individuality of the world he lives in, which is a reflection of the overall style of the work.
Tone: D-503's feelings for the rule of the one state are all positive, but his attitude is not such when it comes to the way of the ancient times. One way that this hatred is emphasized is through his description of and feelings for I-330. Tying her to the ancient world, he considers her an interference of his structured life and describes her having undesirable characteristics like pointy teeth and considers her actions appalling.
Irony: I found irony in the fact that D-503 was so uneasy in the ancient house, while he finds immediate beauty and comfort when he's in a purely functional, cold glass building with no privacy.
Plot: In D-503's records, he follows a chronological time line of events as they happen to him. Although he periodically refers back to the barbaric ancient times, he never has a real flashback.
Characterization: As D-503 records his every thought we see his obvious loyalty to the one state. However, we also see the insignificant thoughts that torment his mind, a vulnerability when passion takes over with I-330. All these situations allow the reader to identify with D-503.
Setting: The novel is set in 1920s Russia, the one state, after the 200 years war. In this world, there is absolutely no freedom, only complete government control.
Point of View: This novel is told in the first-person narrative, and the only thoughts and feelings we know of are that of D-503's. Even though the reader doesn't find his world to be comforting in the least, D-503's feelings do help the reader to shape their own opinion on this odd society.
Symbol: I think that the fact that D-503's hands are "ape-like" and resemble the hands of the ancients is more symbolic than anything. I think they suggest that, in I-330's presence, he will succumb to a more ancient way of thinking and acting.
Theme: I would have to say that the overall theme of the novel deals with the lack of freedom leading to dehumanization. It is clear that D-503 loves following the strict rules of the one state and enjoys having absolutely no freedom of choice. Such machine like obedience has led to a society of robots. However, humans have feelings, aspirations, dreams, and imagination. Imperfect robots. Such a restrictive society can't last.
Tone: D-503's feelings for the rule of the one state are all positive, but his attitude is not such when it comes to the way of the ancient times. One way that this hatred is emphasized is through his description of and feelings for I-330. Tying her to the ancient world, he considers her an interference of his structured life and describes her having undesirable characteristics like pointy teeth and considers her actions appalling.
Irony: I found irony in the fact that D-503 was so uneasy in the ancient house, while he finds immediate beauty and comfort when he's in a purely functional, cold glass building with no privacy.
Plot: In D-503's records, he follows a chronological time line of events as they happen to him. Although he periodically refers back to the barbaric ancient times, he never has a real flashback.
Characterization: As D-503 records his every thought we see his obvious loyalty to the one state. However, we also see the insignificant thoughts that torment his mind, a vulnerability when passion takes over with I-330. All these situations allow the reader to identify with D-503.
Setting: The novel is set in 1920s Russia, the one state, after the 200 years war. In this world, there is absolutely no freedom, only complete government control.
Point of View: This novel is told in the first-person narrative, and the only thoughts and feelings we know of are that of D-503's. Even though the reader doesn't find his world to be comforting in the least, D-503's feelings do help the reader to shape their own opinion on this odd society.
Symbol: I think that the fact that D-503's hands are "ape-like" and resemble the hands of the ancients is more symbolic than anything. I think they suggest that, in I-330's presence, he will succumb to a more ancient way of thinking and acting.
Theme: I would have to say that the overall theme of the novel deals with the lack of freedom leading to dehumanization. It is clear that D-503 loves following the strict rules of the one state and enjoys having absolutely no freedom of choice. Such machine like obedience has led to a society of robots. However, humans have feelings, aspirations, dreams, and imagination. Imperfect robots. Such a restrictive society can't last.
Friday, January 14, 2011
About me...
"Kool aid and frozen pizza, it's a work of art, I'm not talkin Mona Lisa." This lyric from one of my favorite songs by rapper Mac Miller has turned into the title of my first attempt at a blog. I love music, the lyrics, the beats, the passion of the artist. I love reading lyrics without the music, breaking into the soul of the artist, treating the words like the poetry that they are. After this, hearing the song as a whole is a whole new experience. All you want to do is close your eyes, kick back, and take in the art. Going back to the song lyric from my title, although the words seem simple, I think they hold a powerful message in the background. I interpret this lyric to mean that art doesn't need to be completely understood or popular to be considered worthwhile, it's more about portraying beauty in a unique way that allows an escape from the mundane. That's what music does for me. It is the purest release I can imagine, my drug of choice.
Besides music, I enjoy drawing, cruising on my longboard, watching movies, riding my horses, and hanging out with friends and family. So, now that you have a bit of insight into my interests, enjoy the kool aid and frozen pizza!
Besides music, I enjoy drawing, cruising on my longboard, watching movies, riding my horses, and hanging out with friends and family. So, now that you have a bit of insight into my interests, enjoy the kool aid and frozen pizza!
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