Dystopian journal #2: WE- Topic

"All that night i was tormented by wings. i walked about shielding my head with my hands from the wings. and then, there was the chair. not one of ours, not a modern glass chair, but an ancient wooden one. it moved like a horse-front right foot, rear left, front left, rear right. it ran up to my bed, climbed into it, and i made love to the wooden chair. it was uncomforatable and painful. Amazing: acn't anyone invent a remedy for this dream-sickness? or else turn it into something rational, or even useful?" (Zamyatin 124)

The society in which D-503 lives is a society in which it is not normal to have dreams, or a soul for that matter. Therefore, the lack of dreams is a societal influence that has made its mark on D-503 since he feels that dreaming is not normal. By accomplishing this, the society has rid its people or “irrational” thought, which is how D-503 describes it. This loss of imagination makes it less likely that the people of the society will think there is another way to live, and will not push for reform or rebel. This proves that the society is against dreaming. This also displays the governments primary interests, which include making sure that the people have as little imagination as possible. The society has also taught its people that the ancient ways are bad, as displayed by D-503’s reaction to the wooden chair. Society has taught him that this ancient world is bad and is to be discouraged, seeing as how it was “Painful”. This is in the best intrest of the society. Since disregarding, the ancient society would most likely lead to chaos since the people would be able to reflect on the old ways for a future different from theirs.
Word count: 205