Anthem
“I am done with the monster of "We," the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood and shame (97).” Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, is a tale of future times where the world has come to the most extreme case of collectivism possible. This book has been a contentious subject since it was first written because many believe that Rand took it too far and exaggerated making it hard for some reader’s to take seriously. Ayn Rand’s approach on the novel was indeed appropriate because she clearly showed the flaws in collectivism, highlighted the greatest advantages of individualism, and made her purpose in writing the book obvious.
Ayn Rand did a wonderful job helping her readers understand the faults in the idea of collectivism.
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“There is fear hanging in the air of the sleeping halls, and the air of the streets. Fear walks through the city, fear without name, without shape. All men feel it and none dare speak (46).” This is the scenario that Rand creates to show how dreadful life would be if men turned to collectivism. She brings to life a fear inside her readers that the world will eventually come to this extremity of collectivism. “In Anthem, a council of state-appointed experts decides on the lifework of Equality 7-2521, who has a brilliant scientific mind. It sentences him to a career of street sweeping. This is Rand's way of asking, How do you plan for the welfare of everyone when you cannot decide what is right for any particular person (atlassociety)?” The main character in this novel knew he was different than the rest, but he had been taught it was a sin to separate himself from others. The people in the story do not know the word “I”, for it is not in their vocabulary. The leaders slowly took it out of the English language, and instead began to call individuals “they”. This creates an interesting feel to the book, and it definitely separates it from all other books that have ever been written on collectivism. Rand did the best she possibly could have in emphasizing the benefits of individualism.
She used her extreme case of collectivism to force the reader to feel sympathy for Equality 7-2521. This caused an even greater rejoice from readers when the main character discovered the word “I”, and began to use it in his vocabulary for the first time in his life. “It was when I read the first of the books I found in my house that I saw the word "I." And when I understood this word, the book fell from my hands, and I wept, I who had never known tears. I wept in deliverance and in pity for all mankind (98).” This was such a victory for Equality 7-2521 that one could not read this section of the novel and refrain from celebrating with him. Ayn Rand brought to attention that all men yearn some trace of individualism, whether they would admit it or not. Ayn Rand once stated, “Everyone has the right to make his own decisions, but none has the right to force his decision on others.” Rand believes in the freedom to choose. She believes in this concept just as much or possibly more than any man ever has, and she is desperately trying to help others understand the importance that individuality should be in our …show more content…
lives. Ayn Rand did outstanding at helping her readers to understand her mission in writing Anthem.
She kept it interesting and made sure that not one person would ever pick up her book without finishing it until the very last word. Even if one completely disagrees with her opinion and take on this controversial subject, they will still feel the need to read up until the last page of this captivating novel. She creates a universe that is mysterious and holds the attention of her readers, for one will certainly feel urgency to discover how the book is concluded. Rand found a way to take her philosophy and put it into a story that is enthralling to readers of all different personalities, pasts, and beliefs. She courageously stood up for what she believed to be right when she wrote Anthem. She believes that a person is born with the freedom to choose their own destiny, and no man should be robbed of that. In the novel, Ayn Rand takes the reader through a short recap of man’s freedom throughout history to make for a legendary breakthrough. She wrote, “At first, man was enslaved by the gods. But he broke their chains. Then he was enslaved by the kings. But he broke their chains. He was enslaved by his birth, by his kin, by his race. But he broke their chains. He declared to all his brothers that a man has rights which neither god nor king nor other men can take away from him, no matter what their number, for his is the right of man, and there is no right on earth above this right. And
he stood on the threshold of freedom for which the blood of the centuries behind him had been spilled (101-102).” Some may say that Ayn Rand’s approach was highly inappropriate and didn’t realistically portrait collectivism, but they are all mistaken. Rand recognized that the only way she could possibly get her point across would be to show everyone what measures the world could someday come to if individualism is forgotten. She used this thought to create a story that has easily become a classic for everyone, and enjoyed by people of all different backgrounds. If she didn’t convince one to accept her beliefs, she made certain that she would entertain at the very least. Anthem is a novel that will be remembered until the very ends of life as we know it. Ayn Rand did an outstanding job in writing Anthem. Her life story and the story that she shared with us through this book will never be forgotten. Millions of readers and followers of Rand will look up to her for as long as they are living, and her courageous actions as a woman in her time period is an exemplary example to everyone who will ever hear of it. Her powerful story is one that will be told for many years to come. She did not exaggerate this novel by taking it to the point that she did because she felt the need to do so, and she knew what exactly she was striving to do. Ayn Rand was a genius in writing this book, and millions would agree that her strategies in writing her masterpiece were nothing short of priceless.
In the book Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 had never seen his physical appearance. He was surprised to see such a strong individual staring at him. One day after escaping into the woods, he finally met himself at a flowing stream and gained new confidence. This was an essential part of the theme of "Anthem." This shows how Equality finally found himself as an "I" in order to help others see themselves as an "I." This is an important part of "Anthem" since it reveals Equality 7-2521's determination, bravery, and development as a person.
Many people seem to get entangled into society's customs. In the novel Anthem, the protagonist, Equality 7-2521, lives a period of his life as a follower. However, Equality eventually, tries to distant himself from his society. He is shaped to be a follower, but eventually emerges in to an individual and a leader. On his journey, he discovers the past remains of his community. Ayn Rand uses Equality's discoveries of self to represent the importance of individuality in a functional society.
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.
At the start of Anthem, Equality is a collectivist who knows there is something wrong with the world he lives in. This allows him to evolve into an individualist. Equality says , “It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see. It is base and evil. It is as if we were speaking alone to no ears but our own” (Rand 17). Equality admits he has committed a transgression and hopes to be forgiven. Equality, at this moment, is living to the standards of others because he lives in a society where no man is to think differently than another. This contradicts Rand’s philosophy because she says that a man is entitled to his own happiness and that you are in charge of it, but since Equality is living to the rules of his society, he cannot find his own happiness, for he is almost forbidden to do so. Likewise, it states in the text, “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). Equality realizes that he is not to live nor commit himself to the standards of others. He has come to the understanding, as Ayn Rand says in her interview, “That he cannot demand that others give up their lives to make him happy, nor should he wish to sacrifice himself for the happiness of others.” Equality finds his own happiness because he has found himself, and he has learned that he cannot put his happiness in the hands of others nor put the happiness of others in his own hands. This allowed him to find himself, and to find
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’s Anthem is a politically satirical novel set in a future society that is so highly collectivized that the word “I” has been banned. The world is governed by various councils who believe that man’s sole reason for existence is to enforce the Great Truth “that all men are one and that there is no will save the will of all men together” (Rand, 20). Any indication of an individual’s independent spirit is swiftly and brutally put down, with the transgressors being punished with severe prison sentences or even death. 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.
Anthem is a novella written by Ayn Rand, in which Equality 7-2521, the protagonist, struggles for self-identification living in a collectivist society. Equality believes that individuality is an eminent aspect of one’s life because individuality defines and outlines who man is. He endures all the hardships in his life living with people who support collectivism, and who reject his ideas. For example, when Equality 7-2521 invents and exhibits the light bulb, the World Council rejects it and tells him that it is selfish to work on something alone instead of working with his brothers. The World Council threatens to destroy the light bulb but Equality does not let that happen and rebels, so he is forced into exile from his society. Equality realizes that he is different from others because he cares about his happiness unlike others who are convinced to believe that a group’s happiness counts more than an individual’s happiness.
Have you ever read a book or seen a movie set in a dystopian society? Well the book “Anthem” written by Ayn Rand is about the main character Equality 7-2521 breaking away from the teachings of his dystopian society and finding his true identity. Ayn Rand is a brilliant writer. Equality realizes that collectivism is a way to strip him, Liberty, and all their brothers of their individuality, happiness, joy, love and freedom. Equality comes to this realization from internal conflicts he has with himself.
Anthem by Ayn Rand is a soul-shifting and mind-blowing novella that explores the dangers of a collective, dystopian society. As a man named Equality 7-2521 stumbles through life, he realizes that he has a burning desire to learn and explore, traits discouraged by the society he lives in. In the City, there are many rules, and all of them shadow the idea that “we are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE. One, indivisible, and forever.” (3) Equality 7-2521, with his passion for learning and science, slowly breaks away from this iron rule set by society, and in doing so, learns of the importance of individualism and freedom. In Anthem, Rand’s use of literary devices such as symbolism, characterization, and imagery help develop and present the tone of the importance of individuality and the dangers of a collective society.
Ayn Rand's Anthem shows us her view of our world united under what seems to be communist rule. For example their view of right and wrong; which Anthem portrays is a system of very strict rules which mainly make sure that everyone is involved in a collective role within the society in this system no one is considered an individual or that they can even think as an individual.
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.
I have always loved them and held their ideals and hopes to heart, but Anthem has been one that has opened my eyes to larger world. Rand showed a world of misery and a hope of freedom to me through her books. Her choice of words continued her story in a manner of which I could see, feel, and understand what Equality was experiencing. There was no point where I felt alone in working with my partner. I got to work in a group and experience the book with another; but ,like the ideals of a perfect society, I was able to separate from them to continue my own thoughts. This book required more of my time due to the extra procedures, but it made the story a much more hard hitting story as I experienced Equality’s life and of being the person who passed on the story that may be forgotten in later times to
As one reads Ayn Rand’s significant quotes from the story of anthem, there is always a main theme that is trying to escape, just as Prometheus escaped in her story. All three of the listed quotes work as a trio to sing that We; as society, works to defeat individuality. The quotes emphasize that we cannot survive without individualism and being alone brings out our unique personalities. It is true that all the quotes work as one, but at the same time they have their own individualism. Each quote holds a purpose of its own and the author wants to express the quote to each persons understanding.
There has always been a slight anxiety of being alone or standing alone. Students rarely want to admit to having an answer different from the rest of their classmates; some people do not want to go somewhere and do something by themselves. Notably, with more shy or anxious people, they will often stick around someone they know, so they will not be alone in the crowd. Although that company might help them make it through those nerve-wracking moments, when is the right time for them to walk alone? Should a person ever walk alone? In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, Equality’s internal conflict of conformity versus individuality plays a role that Equality needs to overcome in order to complete their quest for freedom which helps create their outcast archetype and gives significance to the final word of the novel.
Anthem is a short novelette written by Ayn Rand in 1937 and vividly expresses the Rand’s beliefs in praising the human being’s ego and rationalism that never changed during her life. From the literary point of view, Anthem could be compared with Neil Peart’s 2112 album as its basis can be observed in the song. Both works show a grim vision of a world of dark ages in the future where their main characters suffer from lack of free choice and struggle to find out their individuality in a fearful and ignorance society. Since there are many similarities between the novel and the song, this paper will compare and discuss the conflicts, discoveries, accomplishments, and the common theme of both works that involve the protagonists in their way to individualism and