Complexity In Ayn Rand's Anthem
The idea of happiness varies among many different people and places. Moreover, happiness’s complexity shifts depending upon the different ways one consumes it: television, movies, music, and social media. What would it be like to live in a world where society dictates one’s happiness? In Anthem, this is the type of society in which everyone lives. However, the character Equality 7-2521 breaks the societal norm, and he eventually pursues the lifestyle Ayn Rand, the author, believed. She once wrote, “Happiness is a state of non-contradictory joy — a joy without penalty or guilt, a joy that does not clash with any of your values and does not work for your own destruction, not the joy of escaping from your mind, but of using your mind’s fullest
…show more content…
The society in which Equality lives believes that life requires happiness. However, one must only harbor happiness if the rest of society is also happy, revealing the absurdity of this society. Equality writes, “It is forbidden, not to be happy… the will of all men together is good for all; and so all men must be happy” (45, 46). Through this, one sees how Ayn Rand conveys an utopian theme. This society believes that happiness only occurs when a betterment of society arises, and an action benefits everyone. Rand purposefully creates an image of a utopia to portray how much a society truly influences a single person’s thought. Without the heavy influences of society in Anthem, Equality could have already been practicing personal happiness, thus showing the effect this abnormal society has on its people. Further, Equality describes the strictness in the society. He explains the improper gesture of showing delight. “It is not proper to smile without reason” (29). As seen, Rand additionally displays the setting of a stringent community by exploring ideas that seem preposterous in today’s society. Equality knows how it is unacceptable to smile, hence making him wonder why things continue in such a way. Additionally, the impropriety of smiling without reason is ironic considering that Equality previously explained that everyone in this society must be
The society in which Equality lives believes that life requires happiness. However, one must only harbor happiness if the rest of society is also happy, revealing the absurdity of this society. Equality writes, “It is forbidden, not to be happy… the will of all men together is good for all; and so all men must be happy” (45, 46). Through this, one sees how Ayn Rand conveys an utopian theme. This society believes that happiness only occurs when a betterment of society arises, and an action benefits everyone. Rand purposefully creates an image of a utopia to portray how much a society truly influences a single person’s thought. Without the heavy influences of society in Anthem, Equality could have already been practicing personal happiness, thus showing the effect this abnormal society has on its people. Further, Equality describes the strictness in the society. He explains the improper gesture of showing delight. “It is not proper to smile without reason” (29). As seen, Rand additionally displays the setting of a stringent community by exploring ideas that seem preposterous in today’s society. Equality knows how it is unacceptable to smile, hence making him wonder why things continue in such a way. Additionally, the impropriety of smiling without reason is ironic considering that Equality previously explained that everyone in this society must be