'Anthem And The Soul Of An Individualist'

Prompt #3 In today’s society, it is considered wrong to be an egoist. The author, Ayn Rand, expresses her belief in individualism and egoism in Anthem and “The Soul of an Individualist”. Both pieces of literature cover the topic of egoism. From analyzing these texts, readers characterize Prometheus as an egoist, discover the meaning of the word “ego”, and realize that egoism can be a good and bad thing. In the texts, Anthem, and “The Soul of an Individualist”, Ayn Rand expresses the meaning of the word “ego”. Egoism is each man’s primary obligation to achieve his own welfare or well-being. Each man has the right to be selfish to benefit himself. A quote from “The Soul of an Individualist” states, “An egoist is a man who thinks and works alone” (Rand “Soul”). The author is saying that egoists only work alone, probably

In most of the story, Prometheus expresses how he stands with his brothers, and how they strive to be alike. He lives in a collectivist society and has never known what it is like to be an individual. After escaping to the uncharted forest, he starts to realize the importance of individualism, “ I am. I think. I will. My hands . . . My spirit . . . My sky . . . My forest . . . This earth of mine. . . .” (Rand 94). At this point in the story, Equality has learned that meaning of the word “I”. He is also understanding how it is like to be an individual. He finally feels that he has found his true identity. Another quote from the story reads, “I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debts from them. I ask none to live for me, nor do I live for any others. I covet no man’s soul, nor is my soul theirs to covet” (Rand 96). Prometheus has realized that he is his own person and he does not have to care about others like he used to. What Prometheus says can be seen as selfish, and, seeing that egoists are known to be self-centered. Prometheus is an