Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in We, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Individuality vs. Collectivism
Alienation
Fear of the Unknown
Repression of Desire
Summary
Analysis
D-503 walks toward the Ancient House, as I-330 told him she wanted to meet in the apartment. He spots O-90 behind him. O-90 is especially round today: she is visibly pregnant. O-90 tells D-503 how happy she is to be expecting a child. She kisses D-503’s hand and he feels an odd sensation that he likens to an “ancient caress.” He pulls his hand away and tells her she’s crazy to be happy about something that will result in her punishment.
O-90 is happy to be pregnant, despite that fact that she will be punished for it. To O-90, acting on her desires—at least as far as having a child is concerned—is more important than remaining loyal to the One State. Not even the threat of punishment can extinguish her instinctual human desires to reproduce.
Themes
D-503 comes up with a plan to save O-90 and her baby—with the help of I-330. O-90 refuses to accept the help of “that woman” and walks away. D-503 walks toward the Ancient House and imagines “invisible threads” floating around his face.
When O-90 refuses D-503’s help because I-330 would have to be involved, she chooses to act on her irrational desires: O resents I-330 because she took D-503 away from him, and her jealousy and bitterness prevents her from making a logical decision that would spare both her life and the life of her unborn child.
Themes
