Prometheus In Ayn Rand's Anthem

In the book “Anthem” everyone is forced against their will in being equally alike; it is against the rules to be different. If you were to disobey the rules or refer to yourself as “I” you will be severely punished or put to death depending on the type of situation. For example, there was a man with gold hair and blue eyes that had his tongue torn out of his mouth and was being burned alive for speaking the unspeakable word. The unspeakable word is the word that equality 7-2521 is intrigued in discovering even though it is a sin. Prometheus (Equality 7-2521) came to understand that he is unique and he can assist his society. His society regards the “best in him” as sinful because his society does not like changes. Prometheus is a man who is
different; he is curious, intelligent, and brave. This set him apart from the others. As time go on Prometheus develops his own individuality.
When everyone is asleep or following their orders and routines Prometheus journeys off on his little explorations to develop new discoveries never been made or brought up. His curiosity brings him to a cave like tunnel where he later carries out on his research. There he would store his stolen equipments from the Home of the Scholars; a place where you would precede to if the five members of the council told you too. In the Home of the Scholars you are to study the earth and learn from the

rivers, from the sands, from the winds, and from the rocks. Prometheus terribly wished for this type of work, but he was given the job as a street sweeper. This however did not stop him from what he yearned for.
When Prometheus feels that he can be diverted from his brothers he sets off to his secret tunnel and begins to conduct experiments. There he created electricity from only a box of glass and wires. As he put the wires to the box and closed the current the wired suddenly glowed. He made a magnificent discovery that would give light before you without having to light a
candle.
With the incredible discovery Prometheus made he can help to better his society as well as his brothers.
He understood with him being different he created light; he can help to bring further knowledge on the matter of light. He does not care about the punishments the members of the councils will administer as long as they acknowledge the creation of light. If Prometheus was similar to others and how the Council wanted him to be, then he would have never accomplished his creation of light.
To make sure his work does not go unnoticed, Prometheus will attend a once in a year ceremony where all the World Council of Scholars will meet in the city. It is a great council, to which the “wisest of all lands are elected” to gather with one another. There Prometheus is sure that his work will go unnoticed, but it did. It was the opposite of what Prometheus intended to occur. The Councils was stricken with fear when he made the wired glow, creating light. The Councils “leapt to their feet, ran from the table, and stood pressed against the wall, and huddled
together.”
They were enraged with Prometheus. When he asked the Councils if they did not have anything to say, the leader said yes. He said “we have much to say to a wretch who have broken all the laws and who boast of their infamy! How dare you think that your mind held greater wisdom than the minds of your brothers? And if the council had decreed that you be a street sweeper, how dare you think that you could be of greater use to men than in sweeping the streets?” Another member then spoke “how dare you, gutter cleaner to behold yourself as one alone and with the thoughts of one and not of many.” Another declared that he should be burned at the stake then another declared that he should be lashed until there is nothing left under the lashes. When the World Council announced that the box should be destroyed Prometheus seized the box and leapt out through a windowpane, heading for the forest where he knew he will be safe.
Therefore, the society regards the “best in him” as sinful because they loathe changes. They are terrified that people will come to realize that their society is not perfect and fair. If this happens then the Councils “perfect society” will come crashing down. That is why the Councils prefer those who would follow the rules and not go beyond it. Then all the years for protecting what really transpired in the “Unmentionable Times” will have no meaning. In the Unmentionable Times the “Evil Ones” were burned along with their land. The fire which the society calls the Dawn of the Great Rebirth was the Script Fire where all the scripts of the “Evil Ones” were burned. On the scripts were words that allowed individuality.