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.…
“we strive to be like all our brother men, for all men must be alike” (Rand 19). In the book Anthem by Ayn Rand the main characters name is Equality7-2521. He lives in a collective society that he does not agree with. Equality’s personality and actions is what eventually led to him running away.…
What is egoism? Something that Prometheus seems so interested in. Egoism is a doctrine that individual self worth is the motive behind all conscious action. In this day in age being an egoist is wrong, but in Prometheus society being an egoist wasn’t even heard of. Why is it that Prometheus writes down “ego” at the very end of the book on page 105 of Anthem.…
The book I read this month is called "Anthem" by Ayn Rand. Anthem is a fiction book and was quite interesting. It was about a person called Equality 7-2521 and how his life led to a huge turning point. "Anthem" took place in a futuristic civilization. The book was about a society who were all equal and exactly the same until one brave person named Equality 7-2521 thought outside the box, something that has not been done in a while.…
Ayn Rand perfectly captured the idea of a collectivist society in her book, Anthem, by creating a vivid image of the dangers of losing one’s sense of self. This concept can be applied to modern times, much like Equality does when proclaiming his anthem: “I understood that centuries of chains and lashes will not kill the spirit of man nor the sense of truth within him” (98). His statement personifies a man’s spirit,the perseverance of man, and implies that there are no restraints strong enough to thwart human nature.…
Have you ever done something, thinking you’re doing the right thing, and then suddenly things get flipped around and now you’re the one getting in trouble? Having all of your technology taken away as a consequence? In the book Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 experiences something a little similar, only he is the one discovering technology.…
We must know that we may know,” (Rand 24). The temptation of knowing the unknown us getting stronger, but the character is still not able to control the actions and the thoughts that circled his thoughts since this is not an option for the manipulative society. Thus, Equality 7-2521 starts to build his own individual personality when Liberty 5-3000 enters the story, giving Equality the nickname of “The Unconquered” which was acquired when Liberty (The Golden One) noticed the first personality trait carried by Equality 7-2521: courage. The lack of free will leads the Golden One and Unconquered, who do not feel included in the idea of prohibition of wisdom acquirement, to break the harsh and collective laws that were imposed by the…
The concept of egoism is presented in Anthem, authored by Ayn Rand, using the principle that every man’s primary obligation should be toward his own well-being. Once Equality realizes what the sacred word to his society is, he begins to write about how the concept of altruism should not be placed at the root of a man’s heart, rather the concept of egoism. As Equality sits with his journal he writes, “For the word ‘We’ must never be spoken, save by one’s choice and as a second thought” (Rand 96). Equality believes that man shall not serve others, rather service themselves in an almost ‘selfish’ manner, with the exception of a man’s choice to work alongside other people. In summary, Equality believes that egoism should be the primary obligation…
In Anthem, Ayn Rand reveals the idea that words can give someone the freedom to choose their own path. Equality, after having suffered from being forced to conform and hide his true self from the oppressive eyes of the society, is now relieved to finally have the missing pieces to his knowledge. He exclaims, “Many words have been granted me, and some are wise, and some are false, but only three are holy: “I will it!” (Rand 94). When Equality discovers the “Unspeakable Word,” he no longer feels restricted to the ties that bind him to the society, despite already having left. He now feels liberated and has finally completed his quest to truly embrace his own individuality. Equality knows that his knowledge of these words will lead him on…
Ego. A word shamed upon in western society, because of negative implications. Men who have become wealthy through their hard works and sacrifices are depicted as “self-centered”. Since, society is angry toward people with huge amounts of wealth. Although egoism is portrayed as a bad thing, it should be a reward and gift. In our world today and language, the word “I” is significant, because it presents individualism. Everyone has knowledge that no one is the same, everyone has unique characteristics. However, to live in a collectivist society, individuality is impossible, as everyone is oppressed under a leader or government. Sadly, a person cannot challenge authority or meet goals, because of the limit to one’s thoughts. Moreover, a collectivist…
Collectivism is primarily the foundation of people who cannot survive as independent individuals. Since said people obviously aren’t individualists, no one is brave enough to go against their society’s norms, therefore retaining the collectivist society. A perfect example of this is in the novella Anthem by Ayn Rand. From the start of this brilliant novel, Equality 7-2521, later Prometheus, the main character and protagonist is trying to find himself, along with what he was placed on this earth to do. Soon enough his journey begins making sure to rebel against the Council of Vocation, since they are the only ones holding him back from his great overtake. Throughout the short story, more than just a light box is discovered; It becomes evident how The Council of Vocations appeal to certain ideas like trying to eradicate the factor of envy in order to justify their collectivist society, as well as how identical the society in Anthem and the one we live in today are, in terms of collectivism.…
Individuality, this word is what makes a person who they are. It can be molded into whatever one chooses it to be. It also puts you in control of yourself and guides you through your existence. Being individualized is what makes us human. We are not all the same. In the novel “Anthem” by Ayn Rand, the thought of individuality is a constant theme throughout the book. The main character, Equality, believes he is cursed by being an individual, at first. Many similarities can be found between the novel “Anthem” and the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley.…
As Equality started to learn more about the world around him he starts to care about himself and his body. This is shown when he says “For the first time do we know how strong our arms are. And a strange thought came to us: we wonder for the first time what we look like.”,(Rand 61). This quote shows that Equality is caring more about himself and what he looks like. Equality is starting to think and do things for himself and not other people. As Equality starts to think more about himself he discovers his…
Is a perfect society ever going to happen in the future? Is it a good idea? Ayn Rand, the author of the novel Anthem, believes that everyone should get along and demonstrate a perfect society. Ayn Rand believes that everyone should be the same and no one should have an ego. In this dystopian novel, Rand doesn’t want anyone to be different, or see what they look like. Throughout the novel, Rand shows that each person's feelings, choices, and needs are more important than everyone else’s, when an individual does not believe that the laws of society are ethical or moral then he or she has the right to defy the laws, and also Rand believes that happiness is the purpose of life.…
In the novel, “Anthem” by Ayn Rand, there is a twenty-one year old man by the name of Equality 7-2521. In the beginning of the novel, he is alone in a railroad tunnel, writing in a journal. It is a sin to be by yourself and to write and think for oneself, according to the Council of Vocation. To the World Council, all men must be completely alike and they all must form one indivisible “WE”. He meets a seventeen-year-old woman named Liberty 5-3000. He falls in love with her, which is not allowed. Later on, Equality invents a “box of glass” that contains an electric light. Proud of his invention, he decides that he’ll show the World Council of Scholars. When he showed the World Council his invention, they became very angry at him because he broke a lot of laws. He then runs away, out to the Uncharted Forest. Soon, Liberty 5-3000 finds him there. She ran away from home to be with him. After many days of walking through the forest, they find a house with books inside it. This is how Equality 7-2521 discovers the word “I”. Equality reaches the important realization that “To be free, a man must be free of his brothers”. This means that in order for an individual to enjoy what he possesses, he must be away from people who stop him from doing so.…