Individualism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

People think they know who they are. Personal characteristics and ideas turn a body into a human. Equality lived his life not knowing who he was nor did anyone else living in this world. The novella Anthem was a short story about how Equality discovered himself in a society where people never discover themselves or their abilities. In this world an individual does not exist only a collection of people working for the group. Ayn Rand, the author of Anthem, wanted to shine a light on common values which are now fading from todays society. Ayn Rand, the author of Anthem, was able to create individuality, identity and egoism in this world using repitition.

Individualism was expressed in the form of repitition with the following quote stated by Equality, “I think, I am I will.” (page 94) Equality says this once he discovers the word “I”. Equality uses this word repititively to express that he is his own person and only he has the power over himself and none other. Equality truly knows
whats its like to be in charge of his spirit and find ways to benefit himself and his needs. Equality no longer has to waste his talents sweeping the streets because The Council of Vocations put him there. He no longer has keep his thoughts or beliefs to himself because his life was constricted with conformity. The discovery of the word “I” helps Equality break the chains of conformity and create individualism in this society. The repitition of “I” right in the beginning of the chapter shows that Equality knows that he can be independent, self reliant, and more importantly control his destiny. Those attributes all relate to individuality which is a prevolent theme that Ayn Rand wanted the reader to notice and believe in. By the use of repitition Ayn Rand was able expose this theme in Anthem.

Equality’s goal was to learn who he was and know himself. Throughout the story Equality is interested in his abilities, for example, the lightbulb. Equality created the lightbulb for him to see how capable he is. He never really knew his identity but he stands up for his ideas and beliefs which shape his identity. During Equality’s torture he stays strong and never confesses to his transgession. “... and we thought of nothing save that grill, a grill, a grill of red squares,” (page 65) This repitition of the word grill represents many things. A grill is something that locks up something and Equality his locking himself up to his torturer. He has locked up his ideas and his beliefs to himself. The repitition by itself shows that Equality is standing strong and not caving in to the torture. This gives Equality a strong character and identity which is a major theme in the book. This event in the book helped show the reader Equality’s identity and also shaped Equality’s identity for the rest of the book as well.

Equality learns many things at the end of the novella. He learns the importance of self reliance and who is as a person. Another very important theme is exposed by Equality. Equality sees that th most important thing in the world is himself and others should see it that way. Self worship and egoism are themes Ayn Rand wanted us to see and she personally had strong belief in as well. Ayn Rand brought this idea in the readers view by having Equality discover the word “I”. Equality is so overcome with joy when he learns the word. “My hands, my spirit, my sky.” (page 94) This quote is one of the many things Equality stated after he learned the word. The repitition in this quote really emphasizes the word my which expresses ownership. Equality has never known ownership in his life and now its slammed in his face and he loves it. He loves having the power to make something his, having this power he realizes that everything should be his and goes on to sound very egocentric in the chapter. “ I am a man. The miracle of me is mine to own and keep, and mine to guard, and mine to use, and mine to kneel before!” (page 95) Equality said this later in the chapter still reacting to his new power. He repeats “mine” over and over again to really emphasis ownership which is a key componet to egoism. Egoism is a therory in which one lives for self interest. What better way to live for self interest than to own things? Ayn Rand was clearly aware of this when writing the novel and thats how she incorporated reptition to create the theme of egoism in Anthem. Repitition is often not noticed when reading for pleasure but when you take a closer look at what you read and think to yourself “What is the author trying to express by this.” You can learn so much more from the story.
Ayn Rand wrote Anthem to put an many ideas in your mind. Three of them, individualism, identity, and egoism, I’ve shown light too. These ideas are not commonly thought about in our society due to the current idealogy of being a part of the crowd or fitting in. Many children are taught to treat others like they want to be treated. This idea is direclty related to equality, an idea which Ayn Rand exaggerated in Anthem. Currently the world is pushing for equality among everyone, but is that really a good thing? Ayn Rand exposed the dangers to a so called perfect idea for society and made sure her readers still carry values based upon self benefit . Although she used many literary tools to show these ideas, I choose to focus on how repitition was a key tool used by
Rand.