Contrasting depictions of Privacy in We and the UBLOB

The notion of privacy in the UBLOB is depicted as a very desirable trait. However the lack of privacy that has infested itself within the life of Tereza has consequently rid her of her individuality. We area reminded throughout the novel that Tereza feels her life is set within a concentration camp. The concentration camp hold connotations of 'brutality and torture' but Kundera is sure to remind us that these these characteristics are 'secondary' features of the purpose within the camp. The removal of ones sense of individuality and uniqueness is the unspoken goal. Each human turns into an exact copy of the person next to them (metaphorically), transforming them internally and externally. This concept is what Tereza always fears throughout the novel. She has strong desires to escape this 'concentration camp' she has lived in her entire life. Her mother is shown to be largely responsible for this, reading out Tereza's personal diary to all her friends. Her step-father would come into the bathroom whilst she was in the bath, which prompted Tereza to lock the door to conceal the privacy of herself. When her mother found out she was furious, questioning her whether she believes 'he's going to bite off a piece of your beauty' The concept follows her and reminds her every day. Among the crowded clutter of bodies inside the tram her personal space is invaded. There is no sense of importance of the body within this environment. Tereza is scared in these kind of situtations because she feels like she loses the control of her own body. The clutter of bodies does not value the body as an individual, it rather acts as a whole, and removes the ability for one to define the difference between your own body and the people around you.

We on the other hand, embraces the idea of an environment where one can see the action of every other individual. The One State ultimately aims to have 24hr surveillance of every cipher. The use of glass of every building inhibits the ciphers to carry out tasks in the privacy of themselves unless during personal hour. At night the ciphers 'transparent cages' are 'brightly lit' only those rooms that have their permission for lowering blinds stand out amongst the bright lights. Ciphers brought up within this environment find comfort in this style of living, especially D-503. D-503 is in fact scared of the inability to see through 'opaque walls' and the 'fog', two unconquerable features that D-503 feels as though he cannot control because of their physical qualities. The Cube Plaza, a panoticon style building, constructed as sixty-six concentric circles serves as the major meeting place for all ciphers of the One State. The center acts only as a place of the One States powerful dictator, the Benefactor and the 'Bell Jar'. From here the Benefactor can see a three hundred and sixty degree view of all ciphers, destroying the existence of privacy and keeping the ciphers consistently on the edge of unspoken terror in his presence. The place of the annual re-election of the Benefactor undoubtedly takes place in the Cube Plaza, which discourages the ciphers from rebelling against his orders without being caught.

It is interesting that the removal of privacy acts as a desired control of the ciphers for the One State, but Tereza seeks the control of her soul and body in the presence of privacy. Hence privacy in the One State is not respected as it is shown by Tereza. Privacy enables Tereza to develop he soul and body individualistically, but the non-existence of privacy of the One State, other than personal hour, enables the development of uniformity and the demolition of character and individualism.