We Journal 3

The Corruption of Morals and Values          

          The change to a completely structured schedule is apparent throughout the novel We, by Yevgeny Zamyatin. Through the Table of Hours, the One State is essentially taking the numbers’ freedom. The One State corrupts freedom by telling the numbers what to do and when to do it. By doing this the government can more easily control and monitor the numbers. Zamyatin inserts the Table of Hours as an allusion to the totalitarian tactics of the Bolsheviks, and as a warning of what those tactics may do to an individual’s freedom.

            Zamyatin creates a situation in which the government decays religion until the only thing to worship is the government itself. The One State accomplishes this by demonstrating “the superhuman power of the Benefactor” (48). By making examples of those who do not worship the Benefactor, the One State is essentially giving the ultimatum of worship the One State, or die. By doing this, the government gains the full support of all numbers. To some people church is more important than state, but by combining the two, the One Sate eliminates any competition. Zamyatin clearly disagrees with this tactic and is attempting to inform his readers just how immoral a totalitarian government can be.

            Zamyatin creates a society in which the numbers of One State have times designated for sex and have the governments’ permission to have sex with whomever they register to. The One State corrupts sex and love by removing the human element. By removing spontaneity and normal sexual restrictions the One State creates sexual corruption. By corrupting sexuality, the government in effects corrupts the connection between sex and love. By corrupting love, the One State is essentially strengthening their regime through getting people to focus less on love, and focus more on the government.