What are some examples of this theme appearing in the novel? How is it developed / described? What is D-503’s view on that question and how does it change?
In “We” there have been many occurrences that include rational and irrational examples. Now, D-503 is a very rational person, but slowly starts to learn more about the irrational parts of life. For instance, in the beginning D-503 talks about his fear of an irrational number. He is terrified of not finding answers in life and being given a question he cannot answer. This brings us into his everyday life with D-503 fighting himself trying to find the most rational instance. When he meets I-330 he learns about a different world that is filled with no logical answers and it comes down to it being ethical or not. However, once D-503 starts to form a soul, it helps him become an ethical person who makes himself question everything. Should he go with I-330 and be happy? Or try to live his days as a logical person in a “perfect” society?
Another example of rational vs. irrational would be when D-503 does not turn in I-330 to the Guardians. He had many chances to turn her in, but kept making excuses and told himself that he would “do it later.” So him, being a logical and rational person, goes against his very own morals to protect a woman he barely knew.
Sci-Fi: East and West (FORL) - Spring 2020 
“Should he go with I-330 and be happy? Or try to live his days as a logical person in a “perfect” society?” What do you think? I think most of us would say he should choose the first path. But what I appreciate about this novel is that it does not provide a simplistic position — rationality = bad and irrationality = good. I think Zamyatin implies throughout the novel that, yes human nature cannot be reduced to perfect order and rationality, but on the other hand, irrationality (passions, desire, the chaos of nature) has a whole range of its own problems. In short, there is no easy solution. But one thing is for sure, the utopian solution of perfect rationality cannot truly be achieved.
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