Reaction to "First the Forests" in relation to "We"

The article “First the Forests” brings up the question of ‘What is humanity?’ When compared to We, the two authors have very different views on what human nature truly is. We suggests that the true state of human beings is when they are in their animalistic state, for that is the reason why I-330 is trying to break through the extremely controlled environment that humans had resorted to. ‘First in the Forests’ suggests that humans are in their natural state when they have found god, and are separated from their animalistic nature. The article talks about how civilization is the true state that humans were meant to be in. Both authors provide very interesting viewpoints on the cycle of the different states of humanity.

We is constantly making references to how logic prevails over all, and how humans are in their true state when they allow logic and reason to control their lives. In the end it is logic that dominates over all, for D-305 had to receive the operation and was forced to think like the rest of the people. Zamyatin uses this tactic to show the negative effects of absolute control over a society. He does this to prove that the true state of humans is when they are in the forest, embracing their bodies in all its natural goodness. Another reference to this idea in the book We would be the physical characteristics of D-305. I-330 points out that D-305’s hand resemble that to one in the forest, suggesting that he has some forest blood in him. This could be the main theme for this novel, and the reason why D-305 was chosen by I-330.

The article ‘First in the Forest’ describes how in fables and other tales, forests are always portrayed in a negative light. The first point that Harrison brings up is that in most stories, the protagonist usually ends up in a dark scary forest that they have to deal with. This concept is presented in many children’s’ stories, including Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel. This concept is also presented in many Russian children’s stories. Harrison explores the reason for why the forests are put in such a bad light, and explored the story of Vico’s Giants. Some would say that humans were kept in their animalistic state due to forests, for the forests prevented them from seeing the sky and being connected to god. He talks about how the three elements humans need to be ‘human’ are marriage, burial ceremonies, and a type of religion. Once these animalistic creatures discovered the idea of God, and were ever faithful to some greater power was when, according to Harrison, Homo sapiens reached their true state of humanity. These three concepts can be described as civilization.

The article ‘First in the Forest’ and We share many similar concepts. Both display the human’s fascination with the sky. The reason for this fascination is unexplainable, and we still face it today for humans are still building spacecrafts and trying to learn more about the solar system. The reason for this might be because it is something we can always see, but know nothing about, and therefore provokes curiosity and the ideals of God. Harrison talks about how Homo sapiens achieved humanity when they heard a clap of thunder coming from the sky. This is what provoked their curiosity, and led to the idea of God. In We, the fascination with the sky is presented in the building of the Integral, which the people were using to learn more about the sky. Zamyatin also includes very vivid descriptions of the sky in his novel, giving the impression that D-305 has some sort of fascination with the sky as well. This also presented when D-305 experiences fog, and feels uncomfortable, possibly because he can no longer see the sky.

The idea of humanity is explored thoroughly by both authors. It brings up the question, ‘Where does everything actually start?’ Is the beginning of human kind found in the forests, or with technology and machinery? It seems as though it is a cycle, for those in the forest experience a ‘clap of thunder’ that jolts them into civilization. And those bombarded with governmental control and technology receive a ‘clap of thunder’, like the meeting of I-330 for D-305, which will jolt them back to their primitive animalistic state. Humanity seems relative, for it seems as though we can never be stuck at one point in this cycle of stages.