Prometheus and Gaea vs. Equality and Liberty in Ayn Rand's Anthem
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.
Equality 7-2521 strongly resembles the Greek mythological creature, Prometheus, in many ways. They both are very different from their people. Prometheus was a titan who was nothing like the other titans. He fought to defeat his brothers so that the gods could rule. Likewise, Equality is obviously nothing like the people of his society as he was told earlier in the book. “‘There is evil -in your bones, Equality 7-2521, for your body has grown beyond the bodies of your brothers.’”* Prometheus is especially known for introducing fire to mankind, just as Equality planned to revolutionize the world with his light bulb. But when he introduced it to the Council, they denied it. In fact they were scared of his light. Another obvious similar characteristic the two share is their will to sacrifice anything for their beliefs. Prometheus knew he would be punished for stealing the fire from Zeus, but still refused to keep it away from mankind. “…and he suffered for his deed.”* For his punishment, Zeus chained him to a rock and sent a bird to eat his liver. Every day his liver would grow back, so every day the bird returned for his meal. This punishment was meant for eternity. Equality also knew over his long term research that he would be punished severely if anyone found him, but still did not stop in his
Equality 7-2521 strongly resembles the Greek mythological creature, Prometheus, in many ways. They both are very different from their people. Prometheus was a titan who was nothing like the other titans. He fought to defeat his brothers so that the gods could rule. Likewise, Equality is obviously nothing like the people of his society as he was told earlier in the book. “‘There is evil -in your bones, Equality 7-2521, for your body has grown beyond the bodies of your brothers.’”* Prometheus is especially known for introducing fire to mankind, just as Equality planned to revolutionize the world with his light bulb. But when he introduced it to the Council, they denied it. In fact they were scared of his light. Another obvious similar characteristic the two share is their will to sacrifice anything for their beliefs. Prometheus knew he would be punished for stealing the fire from Zeus, but still refused to keep it away from mankind. “…and he suffered for his deed.”* For his punishment, Zeus chained him to a rock and sent a bird to eat his liver. Every day his liver would grow back, so every day the bird returned for his meal. This punishment was meant for eternity. Equality also knew over his long term research that he would be punished severely if anyone found him, but still did not stop in his