Anthem, by Ayn Rand
In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, the protagonist Equality 7-2521 begins the novella as a primitive unique adolescent, who has realized that he might be different from those around him. He feels remorse in his differences and attempts to make himself become like the others in his society. But after the discovery of the tunnel, however, he realizes that loneliness pleases him, and it becomes harder for him to deny his own individuality. Rand hoped to uncover the link between the historical figures, Prometheus and Gaea to the lives of Equality 7-2521 and Liberty 5-3000.
In Chapter 12, Rand refers to Greek mythology by renaming her two protagonists Equality 7-2521 and Liberty 5-3000. Equality is given the name Prometheus, an insinuation to the Titan who stole fire from Zeus and passed it down to mankind. Liberty is renamed Gaea, a connection to the goddess of the earth and mother of the Titans. “..I have read of a man who lived many thousands of years ago, and of all the names in these books, his is the one I wish to bear. He took the light of the gods and he brought it to men, and he taught men to be gods. And he suffered for his deed as all bearers of light must suffer. His name was Prometheus.”… “And I have read of a goddess who was the mother of the earth and of all the gods. Her name was Gaea. Let this be your name, my Golden One, for you are to be the mother of a new kind of gods.”(Rand 98-9). Rand intends Equality 7-2521’s name to be ironic, since it’s known that Equality 7-2521 is far more predominant to his peers and does not believe in the doctrine of equality. He decided to take the name Prometheus because he could relate to what he read about the Greek god. Equality felt this name fit him well because he is the “Unconquered” and persevered through thick and thin. He gave Liberty the name Gaea because that was the name of mother earth, just as Liberty would be the mother to a new kind of gods. His decision to disregard his granted name shows his contravention with
In Chapter 12, Rand refers to Greek mythology by renaming her two protagonists Equality 7-2521 and Liberty 5-3000. Equality is given the name Prometheus, an insinuation to the Titan who stole fire from Zeus and passed it down to mankind. Liberty is renamed Gaea, a connection to the goddess of the earth and mother of the Titans. “..I have read of a man who lived many thousands of years ago, and of all the names in these books, his is the one I wish to bear. He took the light of the gods and he brought it to men, and he taught men to be gods. And he suffered for his deed as all bearers of light must suffer. His name was Prometheus.”… “And I have read of a goddess who was the mother of the earth and of all the gods. Her name was Gaea. Let this be your name, my Golden One, for you are to be the mother of a new kind of gods.”(Rand 98-9). Rand intends Equality 7-2521’s name to be ironic, since it’s known that Equality 7-2521 is far more predominant to his peers and does not believe in the doctrine of equality. He decided to take the name Prometheus because he could relate to what he read about the Greek god. Equality felt this name fit him well because he is the “Unconquered” and persevered through thick and thin. He gave Liberty the name Gaea because that was the name of mother earth, just as Liberty would be the mother to a new kind of gods. His decision to disregard his granted name shows his contravention with