The Theme Of Collectivism In Anthem, By Ayn Rand
In the book Anthem, Rand opposed the idea of collectivism. The primary character, Equality, is motivated by the pursuit of knowledge and inclusion to the Council of Scholars. Equality’s desires reveal the thematic understanding that the world would become monotonous if a every man and woman became part of an overruling “we”.
For Equality to achieve his great dream of being in the Council of Scholars, he needed to provide evidence of his existing knowledge. He was “born with a head which is too quick” (Rand 21). In other words, Equality possesses intelligence. While in most societies, such a gift would be seen as a positive advantage, but he has been restricted in putting it to use. For in Equality’s world, there is an overwhelming belief
that nobody should think for themselves and generate their own ideas or thoughts. This community mindset was due to the primary idea that all individuals are equal, which is the base of the collective society that he lives in. The dark ages of the future where Rand bases her story is where individualism is discouraged and therefore rare, as their society believes one shouldn’t act or think on their own.
Since Equality was smarter than everyone else in school, he was compelled to put his extensive intelligence to a practical use. This resulted in his rediscovery of the working electric light. Sadly, the teachers, who all subscribe to the overwhelming belief of collectivism, did not support Equality’s attempt at being ahead of his classmates. Specifically, the teachers told him that it “is evil to be superior to them” (Rand 21). He was also looked down upon due to his high interest in science and the pursuit of knowledge. Equality had always wanted to be made a scholar by the Council of Vocations, which is a position in their community that required a higher degree of thought and cognition.
In conclusion, If everyone were to become motivated in the same ways, we would all be living in a colorless collective life, much like the one Equality lives in. We would be locked into a monochromatic world and where the lives of those surrounding us would become similar to our own. There wouldn’t be such thing as individuality. Our lives would become bland with repetitive days with nothing being meaningful and nobody standing out. The word “I” would no longer have importance, as a collective thought would overlook a single person’s opinion. Major things in our current world such as points of view, competition, creativity.
For Equality to achieve his great dream of being in the Council of Scholars, he needed to provide evidence of his existing knowledge. He was “born with a head which is too quick” (Rand 21). In other words, Equality possesses intelligence. While in most societies, such a gift would be seen as a positive advantage, but he has been restricted in putting it to use. For in Equality’s world, there is an overwhelming belief
that nobody should think for themselves and generate their own ideas or thoughts. This community mindset was due to the primary idea that all individuals are equal, which is the base of the collective society that he lives in. The dark ages of the future where Rand bases her story is where individualism is discouraged and therefore rare, as their society believes one shouldn’t act or think on their own.
Since Equality was smarter than everyone else in school, he was compelled to put his extensive intelligence to a practical use. This resulted in his rediscovery of the working electric light. Sadly, the teachers, who all subscribe to the overwhelming belief of collectivism, did not support Equality’s attempt at being ahead of his classmates. Specifically, the teachers told him that it “is evil to be superior to them” (Rand 21). He was also looked down upon due to his high interest in science and the pursuit of knowledge. Equality had always wanted to be made a scholar by the Council of Vocations, which is a position in their community that required a higher degree of thought and cognition.
In conclusion, If everyone were to become motivated in the same ways, we would all be living in a colorless collective life, much like the one Equality lives in. We would be locked into a monochromatic world and where the lives of those surrounding us would become similar to our own. There wouldn’t be such thing as individuality. Our lives would become bland with repetitive days with nothing being meaningful and nobody standing out. The word “I” would no longer have importance, as a collective thought would overlook a single person’s opinion. Major things in our current world such as points of view, competition, creativity.