A Futuristic Society In Anthem, By Ayn Rand

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Anthem Essay

Anthem, by Ayn Rand, depicts a futuristic society, an alleged utopia where everyone was created the same, no exceptions. Men in this novel are taught that it is a virtue to agree and be agreed with, when no one praises the creator, the egoist. The protagonist, Equality 7-2521, struggled his whole life to separate and free himself from collectivism, and develop an ego, obtaining victory at last. From a young age, Equality 7-2521 has differed from his ¨brothers¨. He was more knowledgeable when he was younger, more curious in his teenage years, and more futuristic in his twenties than his peers. First, Equality 7-2521 was superior in the way of knowledge to his brothers in school. His school work was effortless for him, while …show more content…

Striving to know more about his surroundings, Equality thinks,¨We think there are mysteries in the sky and under the water and in the plants which grow..(...)..and questions give us no rest.¨ Wishing to be a Scholar, Equality’s curiosity landed him the job of street sweeper. His questions were forbidden, since his brothers didn’t have any, neither should he; or at least that’s what his teachers said. Equality struggles with this concept, but is not yet ready to rebel. He has had the word altruism sculpted into his mind, and in this society, there is no second choice, for egoism was effaced. In The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand remarks, ¨The choice is not self-sacrifice or domination. The choice is dependence or independence. This is the basic issue. All that which proceeds from man’s independent ego is good. All that which proceeds from a man’s dependence upon man is evil.¨ Anthem’s author, Ayn Rand, is saying that asking questions is good, while depending on only a handful of people (in this case the scholars) to ask them for you divides mankind into egoists and altruists, although altruism is the only side taken. More curious than any of his brothers, Equality has always had more questions. In his world, this got him in trouble, but according to Ayn Rand, he should be praised for being a ¨creator¨ in a sea of

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