This passage is located on page 36 "It was long ago [...] was beyond ratio" In the passage, D-503 describes the events which took place when he was introduced to the frustratingly difficult concept of irrational numbers. D-503's demand for everything in the world around him to be rational and logical comes into conflict when he learns of the √-1.
Moment of Conflict: In this passage, D-503 explains that when he learned of √-1, he wept, and he "beat [his] fists upon the table and wailed: 'I don't want √-1! Take √-1 out of me!'" This display of frustration towards this mind-boggling math concept shows his requirement for logical/rational theories and formulas in order to make sense of the world around him. D-503's need for rational ideas appears throughout the book and it suggests that societies that are based purely upon logic and reason do not have the ability to expand and grow because of the restrictions it places upon individuals.
Key Characterization: In reading this passage, one can greatly understand D-503's discomfort with illogical and irrational concepts. By showing D-503 as becoming so infuriated because of an – from the readers point of view– insignificant math term, he is portrayed as ill-tempered and easily angered. Zamyatin suggests that D-503's need for logical answers is overpowered by his emotions. By giving D-503's emotion precedence over his mental need for reason, he suggests that human nature requires that people express emotion. Therefore, he shows that the society's system of logic before emotion is impossible.
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