Ayn Rand: Marginalization In Dystopian Society

Harsh Bhathal
Mrs. Elliott
4/16/15
Marginalization in dystopian society
Dystopian fiction presents the world presents the world two types of characters; protagonists and antagonists. Often, dystopian societies portray the main character as a protagonist, in which they marginalize the characters thoughts. In a dystopia, the society is displayed to be very bad for its citizens because of the strict rules and obligations that they impose. This is shown through the society 's lack of enthusiasm to create more inventions since they believe it is unnecessary for the people. These different guidelines causes the main character to realize that something is not correct within the society. As a counteraction to this situation, the main character plays
“But here, in our tunnel, we feel it no longer. The air is pure under the ground. There is no odor of men. And these three hours give us strength for our hours above the ground.” (Ayn Rand 44) Inside the tunnel, Equality starts to discover different aspects of his life. Where he never felt so self centered because he was never alone. As described in the quote, the only reason that he is so self centered that he has time to thing of about him self because there is no one around him. For instance no odor from his brothers. This daily self centered part of Equality 7-2521’s life leads to a great symbol; Light, which also acts as the invention. The creation of the light bulb played a major role in Equality 7-2521’s life because his great invention was pointless to the council. This is so because “And they answered: "Since the Council does not know of this hole, there can be no law permitting to enter it. And everything which is not permitted by law is forbidden” (Ayn Rand 44) This quote explains that what ever is already permitted is in the law and everything else is illegal. Therefore from the society’s stand point this great invention is pointless because everything is already created and there is nothing else to done. The rejection of his invention sets him off to a rebellious path. Similarly, In Fahrenheit 541 by Ray Bradbury, Fireman put on fires instead take them out. Book are a symbol of knowledge in this society which the people are not
Light illuminates human dignity and human error for Rand, both of which the society in Anthem tries to sweep under the rug. Once the light is brought by Equality 7-2521, society leaders fear it because everything in the society if dark unlike the house that Equality 7-2521 and the gold one found that has windows. By contrast, the city is dingy and dark, and the only colors are gray, white, and brown. The whole society lives by candlelight, that is one reason why the leaders are so fearful of the light. Even though the society is shaken by the actions of Equality 7-2521, it helps him discover his inner being. In comparison, in Fahrenheit 451 the mirror also symbolizes the inner being or individualism because a mirror causes you to observe one self. Towards the end of the book Granger mentions the idea of opening a mirror factory. The main reason behind this it to help oneself explore its inner being. Based on the two symbol, both books shows the willingness of the character to explore it