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Objectivism by ayn rand explained
Objectivism by ayn rand explained
Objectivism by ayn rand explained
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The Russo-American author who founded the philosophical system of “Objectivism” Ayn Rand. A person who immigrated to the United States back in the late 20s. "Anthem", is a novella she wrote that was originally published in 1938 in the United Kingdom. A valuable thing this novella teaches the reader is how powerful individual thought and creativity is, how precious it is to think the way you want to and not have to abide to what others think or say. This story depicts a world in the future, a collectivist dictatorship in which Individuality and Creativity are crimes. In the novella, one must abide to there not being freedom of speech or thought. One example of this is how one is simply punished for voicing an opinion of his own self and not of his brothers and sisters. This is due to how this society is run on Collectivism. When Equality writes, he clearly states how it is a sin to write one’s thoughts as such a thing is a crime in the eyes of the government. …show more content…
There are several examples, but the most important is Equality, who from a young age always viewed himself as above his brothers, he saw himself as an individual in a lot of cases, and for the way he acted, this resulted in him being punished when he graduated from his Home of Students. The poor man Equality was always treated in an unjust and prejudicial fashion because of his “curse” of being and thinking differently than the rest, therefore that is what links to the transgression he
Ayn Rand, in Anthem, illustrates a futuristic, socialist society. In the novel, Rand destroys any sense of individuality and describes the social setbacks endured after living ‘only for the brotherhood’. The individual person fails to exist and is but a ‘we’ and recognized by a word and a series of numbers rather than a name. Additionally, she describes the horrors encountered within this different system of life: from reproduction methods to punishments. Through the life of Equality 7-2521, Rand demonstrates a person’s journey from obedience to exile in this socialist society. Throughout the entire novel, Rand criticizes Marxist theory as she demonstrates socialism’s failure to suppress revolution, thwart material dialectic, and its detriment to humanity.
...nthem, she presents a collectivist society in which a man’s inalienable right of individualism has been revoked, which causes the citizens to render their souls to the strong dictatorship. They conform to part of the programmed group referred to as “We” and compromise their desires to accept the collectivist tenet as true. They possess no free thought and are forbidden to have free will. Gradually, they transform to which they need no palpable shackles because their minds are fettered through the deprivation they suffer. However, she uses the main character Equality to break down the binds of society and form his own individual path. Equality’s story to relates to human existence in which men must lead their own lives or suffer the horrid consequences of interdependence and living for society’s sake.
Ayn Rand wrote Anthem as a critique of Communism, yet along with that she demonstrated her own belief system of individual ideals. Objectivism was aptly shown throughout the entire novella with the thoughts and actions of the main characters, Equality and Liberty in contrast with the universal thought of the city and society. Rand clearly showed her philosophy well in this story.
Ayn Rand, a contentious woman, the new favorite author to multiple people’s list. People who have read her magnificent book, Anthem, understand how exquisite and meaningful her words are. Books like Anthem are worth reading because it gives the reader more knowledge about controversial topics and it takes the reader to experience new places and new adventures. Equality, the main character, is a symbol. He represents many people today, living in countries like his society. Equality has to find his true identity first before helping the others. People are not allowed to believe in individualism, they should not have a identity of their own. Each person has a monotone routine to follow every single day of their lives. Each step a person takes
It is this dysfunctional world that Equality 7-2521 is born into. The novel begins with Equality 7-2521 alone in a dark tunnel transcribing his story. He begins with a declaration that “It is a sin to write this… [because] men may not write unless the Council of Vocations bid them so” (Rand, 17). Equality 7-2521 writes that he was born with a curse: He is different than the other men in his society. He laments that “the learning was too easy. This is a great sin, to be born with a head too quick” (Rand, 21). From the youngest age children were taught that ability is a vice, not a virtue. They were to be embarrassed of their superiority because “it is not good to be different from our brothers” (Rand, 21). Equality 7-2521 writes that he tried to stifle this fault but was unable to do so.
Equality 7-2521 embodies this essential idea throughout the story because of his eternal struggle with not quite being able to conform to society’s expectations. He is physically different from the others (Rand, 1946, p. 2) as well as mentally different as he disagreed with others even as a child (p. 4) and was smarter than the rest (p. 5), and this mental sharpness is carried into adulthood as he is able to discern the feelings of oppression and fear that weigh over all men in this time (Rand, 1946, p. 30). Rather than acting as a machine, he feels preferences and desires within himself. Equality 7-2521 enjoys science, dreams of being a Scholar, likes a pretty girl, and wonders about himself. Since these things are not shared by all, they are forbidden, and despite how simple they may be, they define
In Ayn Rand’s novella, Anthem, children are often seen living apart from their families. Unfortunately, it’s not their choice, but society is set up such that they are made to live apart. Children are forced to live like this because dictatorial leaders are committed to collectivism. Collectivism is an emphasis on collective rather than individual action or identity. Leaders enforce the separation between parents and children in order to maintain collectivism and ultimately have complete control over the children. You and I do not exist; government deems it so. We are one, a single body functioning for the collective good of society. Ayn Rand’s Anthem speaks to this collectivist doctrine while highlighting the implicit contradictions that impede its successful implementation.
The beginning of the story opens with Equality being chastised because he is too tall and too smart. He noticed that “to be free, a man must be free of his brothers” (Rand 101). This quote shows that when society controls him, and he relies on everyone else, a lack of progress is inevitable. Even the higher powers control their city with aggressive strength; the Council of Vocations assigns Equality to be a street sweeper even though he wants to be a scholar. Out of curiosity, he finds a tunnel while on duty. He begins to write about himself, even though “it is a sin to think words no others are to see” (Rand 1). Having no obligation to others allows one to work towards their own goals, Equality is able to pass his previous instinct where “all men are one” (Rand 20). With the revelation of himself as being a separate indiv...
The word collectivism often makes people cringe. Overall, there is a general fear of not being able to make personal decisions in America. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, collectivism can be defined as; emphasis on collective rather than individual action or identity (“Collectivism”). In Anthem, Ayn Rand describes an extreme collectivist society. Although Anthem’s society seems extremely surreal, aspects of its collectivist society closely mirror today’s society.
in his world it was believed that ?What was not thought by all men cannot
His time has come. His profession will be decided today. Anthem is a dystopian novella, its based on an unspecific future date where humankind enters a dark age and technology is carefully being taken care of. This book was written by Ayn Rand in 1937 and is a story of Equality 7-2521, also known as Prometheus. The story tells us how he has personal development and his freedom from the rules and order in the society where he lives. In the novel Anthem’s protagonists, Prometheus struggles to find the meaning of his life and understand his nature. Prometheus sees the beauty of his soul and the power of his mind. By the end of the novel, he had learned the evils of society and begun a war with them. In the book, Prometheus is searching for himself;
First, equality is also afraid to express who he is but was still able to be himself.An example is on Pg.54 when equality, says,”we cannot stop now, even though it frightens us that we are alone in our knowledge”.this quote means that he can’t stop his pursue of knowledge, even though he is alone with that knowledge.how this connects to me cause I am afraid to show my opinions on things that are occurring cause I feel my comments won’t change many things or do anything.
On page 72, the dialogue between several characters gets very violent with discussing what Equality’s punishment is. They say, “‘ How dared you, gutter cleaner, ‘ spoke Fraternity 9-3452, ‘to hold yourself as one alone and with the thoughts of the one and not of the many?’ ‘You shall be burned at the stake,’ said Democracy 4-6998. ‘No, they shall be lashed,’ said Unanimity 7-330, ‘till there is nothing left under the lashes.’” This shows that they, indeed, do hold anger deep beneath them, however, they are not supposed to show this side of negativity to their brothers. In this community, the citizens are forced to think of each other as equals; nothing more, or nothing less. Having this rule forces them to always act happy, and with not having anything to complain or to hate, the whole world follows this rule. However, once Equality experienced neglect or harsh behaviour from his fellow brothers to whom he thought would have loved his idea, he starts feeling a new emotion; anger. Hate is within all of us, however, whether or not you choose to express this feeling is your
Anthem, by Ayn Rand, is a very unique novel. It encircles individualism and makes the reader think of how people can conform to society and do as they are told without knowing the consequences and results of their decisions. Also, it teaches the importance of self expression and the freedom that comes along with being your own person and having the power to choose what path to take in life. Figurative language is used often in this book and in a variety of quotes that have great importance to the theme, plot, and conflict of the novel.
Language has the power to influence and reshape our thoughts and actions. In Anthem, by Ayn Rand, there is a society which controls the language of everyone in it. Under the World Council, everyone is to follow the many rules put in place and no one even tries to break them. There is no “I” in their language, there is only “we”. With the power to influence and reshape people, language has a big impact on our thoughts and actions.