The Dystopian Woman In the dystopian future world of We, written by Yevgeny Zamyatin, everything seems to be perfectly figured out in a mathematical solution. Numbers, instead of being called people, follow blindly behind the dictatorial OneState government. They listen to the same OneState tune, they march along to the same rhythm, they have designated sex days. The Numbers’ lives are completely determined by OneState leaders. The OneState government wants every Number to buy into the lie that they are all equal; however, we learn quickly that one gender is clearly superior to the other. Zamyatin’s portrayal of women in We clearly shows his sexist way of thinking. The women are depicted as less intelligent and given menial jobs such as: bearing
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D-503 often says how much he fancies O and how easy it is to be with her; however, he finds her unintelligent and like a child. D describes O as being “ten centimeters shorter than the Maternal Norm” (Zamyatin 6) meaning by OneState law she cannot be a mother. Knowing that she cannot legally bear a child is a huge internal conflict for O-90. She conforms with everything set in place by OneState, but wanting a child or even thinking about wanting a child is not conforming with the law. The reader is never told what O-90 does for a job which shows that Zamyatin did not think it was important for women to have significant jobs in this future. The only concern of O-90’s is whether or not she will become a mother one day. When O-90 starts crying about wanting a baby D-503 thinks to himself, “She was singing the same old tune again: a child” (20). D is clearly irritated with O for getting emotional over something they cannot control. Considering she is supposed to be the one who conforms with the government, it is concerning that she is constantly thinking about something illegal. Zamyatin’s emphasis on O-90 wanting a child feels like that is the only important thing a woman should do. Instead of having a high-profile career, Zamyatin writes as if a woman’s main focus should be on
D-503 often says how much he fancies O and how easy it is to be with her; however, he finds her unintelligent and like a child. D describes O as being “ten centimeters shorter than the Maternal Norm” (Zamyatin 6) meaning by OneState law she cannot be a mother. Knowing that she cannot legally bear a child is a huge internal conflict for O-90. She conforms with everything set in place by OneState, but wanting a child or even thinking about wanting a child is not conforming with the law. The reader is never told what O-90 does for a job which shows that Zamyatin did not think it was important for women to have significant jobs in this future. The only concern of O-90’s is whether or not she will become a mother one day. When O-90 starts crying about wanting a baby D-503 thinks to himself, “She was singing the same old tune again: a child” (20). D is clearly irritated with O for getting emotional over something they cannot control. Considering she is supposed to be the one who conforms with the government, it is concerning that she is constantly thinking about something illegal. Zamyatin’s emphasis on O-90 wanting a child feels like that is the only important thing a woman should do. Instead of having a high-profile career, Zamyatin writes as if a woman’s main focus should be on