Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem is about the main character Equality 7-2521 who struggles to live in a communist society. Equality is an intelligent and very ambitious person who dares to break the rules of The City. By following his heart, he discovers that he is worth a lot more than what he’s been taught. Once he and his love, Liberty 5-3000, break away from their toxic home land, they discovering the idea that individuality is more important than the collective “we”. In the woods, the two lovers find an abandoned house and they rename themselves Prometheus and Gaea. Ayn Rand chose these names because of how similar Equality and Liberty are to the mythological creatures.…
“we strive to be like all our brother men, for all men must be alike” (Rand 19). In the book Anthem by Ayn Rand the main characters name is Equality7-2521. He lives in a collective society that he does not agree with. Equality’s personality and actions is what eventually led to him running away.…
What is egoism? Something that Prometheus seems so interested in. Egoism is a doctrine that individual self worth is the motive behind all conscious action. In this day in age being an egoist is wrong, but in Prometheus society being an egoist wasn’t even heard of. Why is it that Prometheus writes down “ego” at the very end of the book on page 105 of Anthem.…
Ayn Rand perfectly captured the idea of a collectivist society in her book, Anthem, by creating a vivid image of the dangers of losing one’s sense of self. This concept can be applied to modern times, much like Equality does when proclaiming his anthem: “I understood that centuries of chains and lashes will not kill the spirit of man nor the sense of truth within him” (98). His statement personifies a man’s spirit,the perseverance of man, and implies that there are no restraints strong enough to thwart human nature.…
Have you ever done something, thinking you’re doing the right thing, and then suddenly things get flipped around and now you’re the one getting in trouble? Having all of your technology taken away as a consequence? In the book Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 experiences something a little similar, only he is the one discovering technology.…
In the book Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 had never seen his physical appearance. He was surprised seeing such a strong individual staring at him. One day after escaping into the woods, he finally met himself at a flowing stream and gained new confidence. This was an essential part to the theme of "Anthem." This shows how Equality finally found himself as an "I" in order to help others see themselves as an "I." This is an important part of "Anthem" since it reveals Equality 7-2521's determination, bravery, and development as a person.…
The concept of egoism is presented in Anthem, authored by Ayn Rand, using the principle that every man’s primary obligation should be toward his own well-being. Once Equality realizes what the sacred word to his society is, he begins to write about how the concept of altruism should not be placed at the root of a man’s heart, rather the concept of egoism. As Equality sits with his journal he writes, “For the word ‘We’ must never be spoken, save by one’s choice and as a second thought” (Rand 96). Equality believes that man shall not serve others, rather service themselves in an almost ‘selfish’ manner, with the exception of a man’s choice to work alongside other people. In summary, Equality believes that egoism should be the primary obligation…
In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, the main character is brought up into a society where individualism is never an option. In secret, this character broke these laws and constantly made what was called “transgressions” to the book’s authority figures. Near the books closing he states “Why the best in me had been my sins and my transgressions; and why I had never felt guilt in my sins.” Prometheus has came to understand that he was different and that his sins gave him his happy ending. For being different it made those around him believe that It was indeed sinful.…
Ego. A word shamed upon in western society, because of negative implications. Men who have become wealthy through their hard works and sacrifices are depicted as “self-centered”. Since, society is angry toward people with huge amounts of wealth. Although egoism is portrayed as a bad thing, it should be a reward and gift. In our world today and language, the word “I” is significant, because it presents individualism. Everyone has knowledge that no one is the same, everyone has unique characteristics. However, to live in a collectivist society, individuality is impossible, as everyone is oppressed under a leader or government. Sadly, a person cannot challenge authority or meet goals, because of the limit to one’s thoughts. Moreover, a collectivist…
Collectivism is primarily the foundation of people who cannot survive as independent individuals. Since said people obviously aren’t individualists, no one is brave enough to go against their society’s norms, therefore retaining the collectivist society. A perfect example of this is in the novella Anthem by Ayn Rand. From the start of this brilliant novel, Equality 7-2521, later Prometheus, the main character and protagonist is trying to find himself, along with what he was placed on this earth to do. Soon enough his journey begins making sure to rebel against the Council of Vocation, since they are the only ones holding him back from his great overtake. Throughout the short story, more than just a light box is discovered; It becomes evident how The Council of Vocations appeal to certain ideas like trying to eradicate the factor of envy in order to justify their collectivist society, as well as how identical the society in Anthem and the one we live in today are, in terms of collectivism.…
The power and knowledge of individualism is lost in the novel Anthem and Ayn Rand does a good job showing us the downfalls and troubles the future might hold. The society that Equality 7-2521 lives in is harsh and believes only in collectivism instead of individualism. The main collective government figures are known as Council of Scholars and Council of Vocations who make the rules and strictly force each brother in the society to follow each rule. They are forced to be alike in every way and live for each other instead of themselves. “We strive to be like all our brother men, for all men must be alike” (Rand 19). This is something that is not taken lightly and anyone that goes against this will have to go to the Palace of Corrective Detention…
In Anthem Equality says “For the coming of that day shall I fight, I and my sons and my chosen friends. For the freedom of Man. For his rights. For his life. For his honor.(104)” Everyone is supposed to be seen as equal to their brothers in this society, but Anthem slowly detached himself from them. He wanted something for himself. Like he says in the book. He wants freedom, rights, life, and honor. He also says “What is freedom? Freedom from what? There is nothing to take a man’s freedom away, save other men. To be free, a man must be free of his brothers. That is…
What is the process to individualism? In the book Anthem the story is based around a collectivist society. This society is built around the sake of mankind as a whole and not the individual. Many different laws are in place to enforce this collectivism. In this society Equality 7-2521 who strays off the beaten path and strives for his individualism. The process that Equality went through to become his individual is that he defied the oppressive laws, he started to see himself as his own person, and he found and established who and what he is.…
Conformity goes too far it takes away a person's individuality. In the book Equality realizes as a kid that he is not like the other children in his society. He gets punished for being different and gets left out of the crowd. It shows him and others kids that being different is not good in a society. In this quote equality is being told by a teacher how is not the same as the other kids. The teacher is telling him he has evil in bones because he is different. ¨Ever have the Teachers and the leaders pointed to us and frowned and said: ¨There is evil in your bones, Equality 7-2521, for your body has grown beyond the bodies of your brothers.¨ But we cannot change our bones nor our body.¨(18) This is an important quote because it shows that being…
Six feet was too tall: Equality 7-2521 stood head and shoulders above the crowd and his brothers in society looked down on him because of it. In the novella Anthem, author Ayn Rand explores the dangers of a Collectivist society and the freedom that comes with escaping such a place as she chronicles the life of her main character, Equality. Part of Rand’s motivation for writing her novella was her desire to further develop the philosophy that she created that is known as Objectivism. Objectivism is the belief that everyone possesses their own moral compass, and that the highest achievement of a person’s life is to follow that compass to reach their greatest happiness. It is essentially a belief in the individual. On the…