Hey, you can't have an oppressive regime without a few troublemakers out there to stir things up. Otherwise, there's no real conflict! (And without conflict, you don't have a story.) So here comes I-330 and her buddies in MEPHI, ready to stick it to the math-spouting powers that be and show them how real human beings live. (Or used to.)
What's interesting about We is that our hero D-503 really isn't down with this. Unlike Winston Smith in 1984 or most heroes in these kinds of stories, he seems to like the state the way it is. Well okay, "like" is a strong word for someone so devoid of emotions, but despite some odd proclivities and loyalty to O-90, he definitely prefers what the state's offering to the rebels' plans. We may cheer when MEPHI starts to pick up speed, but D-503 definitely doesn't: a pretty slick way to show us what a government as horrible as this can do to people.
Questions About Rebellion
- How important is it that rebellion be fostered in the mind?
- Can't the rebels just kill all the Guardians and take over? What are some examples of little forms of rebellion that take place in the book?
- Why is rebellion often described in terrifying terms?
Chew on This
The rebellion will ultimately succeed, based on components in the book that foreshadow certain victory.
The rebellion will fail and the State shall regain control, based on components in the book the foreshadow such an event.