...In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, mankind destroys all traces of their materialistic and individualistic past to form a utopia. This so-called utopia is actually more of a dystopian society. Dystopias are defined as an imagined place that is usually totalitarianistic and environmentally degraded. Anthem’s society is one of these societies, due to the tyrannical leadership, lack of technological advancements, the indoctrination of people, beginning at birth, and the loss of individualism. The tyrannical leadership is shown through the ruthless enforcement of unreasonable laws. People were “burned alive in the square of the City” (Rand 49), and theft was punishable by “ten years in the Palace of Corrective Detention” (Rand 18). Technology was also severely...
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... This is the dystopian setting of George Orwell's 1984, Ayn Rand's Anthem, and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, where the motif of collectivism and control works to convey the message that collectivism and control make totalitarian control second nature. Totalitarian control through collectivism plants its seeds through childhood brainwashing. In the book 1984, brainwashing is carried out through organizations such as the Junior Spies and the Junior Anti-Sex League. Winston says, "… by means of organizations...
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...Ayn Rand’s Anthem depicts the dystopian future in which an unnamed society has completely “forgotten” the word ‘I’. While reading Anthem, Ayn Rand introduces Equality 7-2521, the hero who breaks away from the status quo of the unnamed society. Collectivism is the immoral guide for the unnamed society, a guide that Equality challenges to the extent of its extremities. The dictatorial leadership of this society restricts even thinking about one’s self, no one person is obliged to give priority to an individual. Thereupon, we see Equality’s entrance into the society, just by his physical characteristics rebelling against the status quo, being both too tall and too smart. Equality faces his own internal conflicts, he, in his misunderstanding, struggles to understand the gravity of his actions and his true differences from the society’s collectivism....
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...conscience out of fear of change. In moments such as these, often exemplified by protagonists in novels and television, one can examine the ways leaders are defined and are distinct from the general population. In examining these defining elements using insights from classic literature, modern television, and a variety of theoretical approaches to leadership featured in Northouse’s leadership text, it becomes apparent that leaders can know they are working for a good cause through their intuition and search for knowledge and meaning. Further, leaders verify the justness of their cause by practicing delegation, observation, and integrity. First and foremost, a leader can be sure they are working towards a good cause when they seek information, meaning, and purpose within an objective. Good leaders observe their surroundings, carefully taking in a plethora of information from various perspectives about a situation, and then decide upon the best plan of action. For example, in 1984, Winston’s initial mistrust in his government comes primarily from his observations...
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