# Record Thirty-Five explained — We

> Chapter companion for We by Yevgeny Zamyatin.

## What happens

D-503 is consumed by the thought of killing U- after she reports him. He arms himself with a heavy piston-rod and searches for her, but the city is in chaos with anti-Operation protests and a disrupted Underground. He hears I-330's voice rallying the crowd, but is held back. When he confronts U- in his room, she misunderstands his intent and offers herself sexually, causing him to laugh and drop the weapon. A phone call from the Well-Doer summons him, and U- admits she did not report I-330 out of fear of losing D-503's love.

## Themes in this chapter

### Freedom and Rebellion

I-330's speech in the Underground calls for resistance against the Operation, while D-503's violent impulses represent a personal rebellion against the system.

### Love and Sexuality

U-'s misinterpretation of D-503's intentions and her confession of love highlight the complex, irrational nature of human emotions within a controlled society.

### Totalitarianism and Conformity

The Great Operation and the Well-Doer's summons illustrate the state's absolute control over individuals, even their thoughts and desires.

## Character check-ins

### D-503

Plagued by a murderous obsession with U-, he arms himself with a piston-rod and searches for her amid city-wide chaos.

### I-330

Her voice is heard in the Underground, delivering a passionate speech against the Great Operation and urging the crowd to resist.

### U-

Visits D-503, is nearly killed by him, but misinterprets his intentions; later admits she did not report I-330 out of fear of losing his affection.

### The Benefactor

Summons D-503 via telephone, indicating he knows of D-503's actions or state.

## Key lines

> Is it possible that you do not yet hear that great symphony of snoring? Foolish people! Don’t you realize that they want to liberate you from these gnawing, worm-like, torturing question marks?

Can't you hear the collective snoring of the complacent? They aim to free you from painful doubts.

_I-330's rhetorical question criticizes the passive acceptance of the Operation._

> I know that I should have dealt the blow on her head had she not screamed: 'For… for the sake… I agree.… I… one moment.…'

I would have struck her if she hadn't screamed and offered herself to me.

_D-503's murderous intent is deflected by U-'s unexpected sexual submission._

> I learned from personal experience that laughter is the most terrible of weapons; you can kill anything with laughter, even murder.

I discovered that laughter can destroy even the urge to kill.

_D-503 reflects on how absurdity defused his violent impulse._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/we_se/chapters/record-thirty-five
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/we_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/we_se/chapters