We

A) The Benefactor which ruled the OneState society in We was an allusion to God. Most people believed in him entirely whether or not they had actually seen him and trusted in him wholeheartedly, similar to many religions today. Although there is no proof of the existence of a higher power, a relatively high proportion of society worships one and dedicates a fairly good deal of time in correlation with religion. The faith in the Benefactor exhibited in We is directly related to the faith many people have in religion in our present society. The book's description of D-503's encounter with the Benefactor could be taken as somewhat of a stab at the undying trust in a higher power. D-503 is so intimidated and expectant of a huge and powerful man towering over him that he does not even face the Benefactor because he attaches the almighty beliefs of the people to the physical appearance of the person. This draws connections to many religious people who bow down to and fear a God that they don't know exists. When D-503 finally does look at the Benefactor, he laughs realizing how ridiculous his assumptions had been. This is somewhat mocking religion in that it ridicules how people are so awed and obedient to someone or something that they know nothing about.

The fact that the word "His" is capitalized in reference to the Benefactor is an obvious biblical allusion as well. It seems to me that Zamyatin is relating this warped world to one that could occur if we continue to place such trust in religion. He may even be suggesting that the religious communities who devote extreme trust and energy into a higher power are similar to the conformist society displayed in We.


B) "Has it really never entered your head that they...needed you only as the builder of the Integral?" (214).
-->The scene in which D-503 speaks to the Benefactor was particularly interesting because it displayed yet another manipulative person in the society. I-330 is unmistakably canniving and sneaky, but this passage points out that the Benefactor is just as manipulative. Clearly, the Benefactor had to be manipulative in order to gain so much power and trust among society, but this scene displays his nature on a personal level. The Benefactor is attempting to trick D-503 into abandoning his revolutionary plans and turning in his comrades by turning him against them.

Although it is pretty clear that the Benefactor is using his knowledge of I-330 to gain D-503's full trust and cooperation, what he tells D-503 is accurate. I-330 is certainly using D-503 for nothing more than his insight to carry on with her plans. D-503 knows this deep-down but loves I-330 too much to confront her and expose their false relationship. It is ironic that the two most manipulative characters in We end up competing for attention to get what they want: I-330 wants a revolution and the Benefactor wants supreme control and absolute order among his subjects.