...Ayn Rand, the author of the novel Anthem, views the concept of being an “other” in society as a stepping stone to one being truly enlightened and destined for a journey far greater than others who are compliant to society’s whims or standards. According to Rand, being an “other” in society is not a burden and those who aren’t “others” in this relative society would be placed in classifications such as the mindless, afraid, or complacently foolish. What sets Equality 7-2521 apart from others, is not only his appearance, but his extensive want of freedom and for his longing of knowledge which stems from his insatiable curiosity. After some time of actively attempting to disperse himself of these inclinations, he cannot resist the desires...
Words: 522 - Pages: 3
...Supposedly detrimental to the basic fundamental rights of human beings, collectivism has been the central topic of debate for many years. Ayn Rand, the author of Anthem, voices her strong opposition to the philosophy, as it is not only a stepping-stone into a totalitarian government but also an idea that can easily evolve as a justification for unfair treatment and opportunities. Rand addresses her concerns through Anthem by formulating the main character as a person who carries ideas that oppose society’s constructs, which ultimately leads him to become an outcast of society to defend his convictions. The main character of this novel goes by the name of Equality 7-2521, a name issued to him by the government of the dystopian society in which...
Words: 581 - Pages: 3
...Anthem, by Ayn Rand, is a novel that is very unique in its own ways. It shows a lot of individualism and makes the reader think of how people can just live as they are told to live and do as they are told without even knowing the outcome after they do what they are told. Also, it teaches the importance of self expression and the freedom that comes along with being unique and having the power to choose what path to take in life. The society in this novel, the word “I” is forbidden and humans refer to themselves as “we” instead of “I” to represent equality throughout society. Anything that might spark a thought of being a one of a kind person is forbidden. Children are born from parents that don't even know each other and are being taken away...
Words: 1254 - Pages: 6
...Ayn Rand’s Anthem portrays a collectivist-minded and totalitarian society (also referred to as a dystopian society) where freedom is limited. The dystopian society strongly believes in the idea that everybody is equal and that everybody should only care about the each other and not about themselves. The society had created different councils, each with its own job, and people were not allowed to choose their job, but it was chosen for them. The society believed in one quote that summarized all their beliefs. Ayn Rand talks about this in the following quote: “Everything done by many is good. Everything done by one man is evil (Rand, 77).” The main character of Anthem, Equality 7-2521, was born differently, according to his society, because he had different features than the others. Accepting his difference, he started to separate himself from the society. He did this becuase his 7-2521's real passion was science and just wanted to understand the world, but sadly, in Equality 7-2521's society, he was forbidden from asking questions. Though he was supposed to be a street sweeper. he did not...
Words: 879 - Pages: 4
...In the book Anthem by Ayn Rand, you meet a character named “Equality 7-2521” and throughout the story the author does not use pronouns for the character, instead she uses the word “we” whenever Equality wants to say “I”. It shows individualism, which the it’s a sin and makes the reader think of how people can attribute to the society and take orders without knowing the reason why. It shows problems that Equality is facing because he is a man with thoughts towards others, dividing them out from the rest of society. Ayn Rand wrote this amazing novel because she wants to spread a voice and make a change, even in the war era. Equality has faced problems internally and externally, for the Rand to convey her message. In the novel Equality’s...
Words: 878 - Pages: 4
...¨ (Ayn Rand) In the book Anthem by Ayn Rand, Equality took the first steps to have freedom and developing a better society because that is what he believes in and thinks is right. Equality is a character who grows and develops throughout the book by showing signs of resistance, bravery and intelligence. Equality shows resistance by sneaking out to the tunnel at night. By him sneaking out he is showing resistance because he is going places alone and without permission and both those things are illegal in the society that Equality lives in. He also writes in a journal. In this society, it is against the laws to write without...
Words: 688 - Pages: 3
...book, Equality 7-2521’s growth can be seen throughout the book. In the beginning, he’s trying his hardest to fit in with the society they live in, but towards the end he questions the beliefs of the brothers and goes as far as to maligning them as well. Equality 7-2521’s final assessment of his so called ‘sin’ is indeed correct because individualism a key factor in growing as person due to everybody in the world being their own person so trying to confirm people as one is profoundly useless. “We are one in all and all in one”, is basically the prayer they’re told to repeat to themselves when they’re...
Words: 1048 - Pages: 5
...“Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized” (Einstein). The book, Anthem, was published by Ayn Rand in 1938. She was born in Communist Russia in 1905. She wrote this book because of what she saw in Russia. The people in charge were treated better than anyone else. Equality 7-2521 thinks that that people should be seen as who they are and not as a group. He thinks that people that work in better jobs are not better than people that work in lesser jobs. He believes that everyone should have the opportunity to discover what they want. The first thing that Equality 7-2521 believes is that everyone should be accepted as themselves, not as a group. There is an example of this in the book. When they are trying to be different they have to read this, “We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, One, indivisible and forever" (19). This is saying that the society wants to keep everyone the same and that you cannot single anyone out....
Words: 796 - Pages: 4
...Anthem is about Equality 7-2521’s struggle to be in individual in a society that’s bans and punishes individuality. The story starts with Equality telling us about his early life, saying that he always struggled in school because he was taller than his brothers and was always curious about the world around him, which are all looked down upon in their society. Early on, Equality also had dreams of being a scholar because he’d be able to explore the world around him and further fuel his creativity, but instead, the Council of Vocations sent him to be a street sweeper, stemming as a punishment for being so different. Equality then finds a friend in International 4-8818 and falls in love with Liberty 5-3000, both of which are forbidden by their oppressive rulers....
Words: 512 - Pages: 3
...In history, there have been countless rebellions, revolts, and revolutions that have resulted in a country’s progress. The Haitian revolution of the 19 th century possess good examples of change being brought about through disobedience. By the 1700’s, Haiti had become a lucrative island in the Caribbean, producing (generating) substantial amounts (supplies) of sugar on...
Words: 1288 - Pages: 6
...The novel Anthem by Ayn Rand is set in a totalitarian, collectivist society in which individuality is viewed as a crime. Throughout the story, the protagonist Equality 7-2521’s views on these laws drastically change. He begins with the feeling of guilt for going against the leaders, but by the end of the story, Equality feels no regret or shame for his transgressions. The shift in Equality’s appraisal of his actions is understandable because the leaders of the society deliberately took away his individuality and withheld significant information from him. In the beginning of the novel, a strict code of laws is introduced. Equality 7-2521 wrote “We have broken those laws. The laws say that men may not write unless the Council of Vocations bid them so. May we be forgiven!” (7). Equality felt culpable for his actions because he had been taught about the evils of...
Words: 1334 - Pages: 6
...Anthem by Ayn Rand Author's Foreword |F.1 |This story was written in 1937. | |F.2 |I have edited it for this publication, but have confined the editing to its style; I have reworded some passages and cut | | |out some excessive language. No idea or incident was added or omitted; the theme, content and structure are untouched. The| | |story remains as it was. I have lifted its face, but not its spine or spirit; these did not need lifting. | |F.3 |Some of those who read the story when it was first written, told me that I was unfair to the ideals of collectivism; this | | |was not, they said, what collectivism preaches or intends; collectivists do not mean or advocate such things; nobody | | |advocates them. | |F.4 |I shall merely point out that the slogan "Production for use and not for profit" is now accepted by most men as | | |commonplace, and a commonplace stating a proper, desirable goal. If any intelligible meaning can be discerned in that | | |slogan at all, what is it, if not the idea that the motive of a man's work must be the needs of others, not his own need, | | |desire or gain? ...
Words: 22792 - Pages: 92
