The Purpose Of The Rules In Ayn Rand's Anthem

In the book Anthem the society has numerous rules put in place in the name of their safety. They are taught from birth that the rules exist to protect them and ensure sure they live for each other and not for themselves. However, the purpose of these rules is to oppress their individuality. The rules remove what makes them who they are. It is easier to control people that have nothing to fight for than it is to control those who have even the slightest reason to fight. These rules are unsuccessful with Equality. He finds his individuality and becomes his own man. Equality decides to build his own society and this time he gets to decide the rules. The society that Equality lives in has an amplitude of rules. They are told that the rules exist

The rules are meant to suffocate and control the people. They live in fear of what may happen if they break a rule. The rules destroy who they truly are. The leaders have the rules in place for the sole purpose of controlling them. They fear what will happen if people become enlightened. Equality knows the dangers of breaking the rules. His fear shows that on a subconscious level they all may know the true purpose of the rules. This is demonstrated when he says, “And we know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone. We have broken the laws. The laws say that men may not write unless the Council of Vocation bid them so. May we be forgiven!” (1) This excerpt shows that Equality is aware of the consequences of his actions. He also sounds fearful, which shows that he is somewhat aware of the purpose of the laws and rules. Nevertheless, he nor anyone else in the society may be able to put together the truth, but it is evident that they have acknowledged the ever present fear. Equality rises above that fear and manages to escape the choke hold that they have put him in. He decides to create a society that is better than the current one he is forced to live