Analysis Of Anthem By Ayn Rand

Could you imagine living in a world where you had no personal identity? You would be just the same as the person next to you, no better or no worse. This is the situation that Equality 7-2521, the protagonist in the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand, experienced daily. He had no sense of his “ego.” In his city, no one in the “brotherhood” could use the word “I.” They referred to themselves as “we” because they believed (according to the Great Truth) that people are not individuals, but instead, they make up parts of a whole. It is not until later on in the book, when Equality discovers a house from the Unmentionable Times, that the word “I” is use and the theme is revealed. For this reason, Ayn Rand claims that the theme of the book is “the meaning of man's ego.” Her book shows and describes what she thinks the meaning of a person's ego is, and she presents this in a creative way.

“The meaning of a man's ego” is literally the word “I.” Equality 7-2521 does not learn what ego is until he learns about “I.” He can live his life to the fullest once he realizes that he is an individual, and can do what he wants for himself. Equality is no longer forced to do what the World Council thinks is best. Back in the City, no “brother” has energy or creativity. They have never looked in a mirror and have never been told what they look like. They do not know what “ego” is. Therefore, the meaning of the ego is described and defined when Equality discovers the house from the Unmentionable Times, reads books with the word “I,” and begins to use it.

Rand presents her theme effectively by demonstrating what a man's ego isn't. Her book is based heavily on the aspect of no personal identity and no ego. The reader can then easily understand wh...

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...ore, the events that were described in the novel were also checked for their accuracy. A book that causes controversy is one that definitely sparks interest in people, and is sure to be well-read. For these reasons, Follett's time spent in writing the book was beneficial.

Ken Follett wrote a novel that had major influence. It influenced its readers, as well as the American population during the presidential election of 1992. He intended to inform his readers of a series of events that businessman Ross Perot took to rescue his men from an Iranian prison, and he did just that. Perot's determination throughout the challenging journey was also a point made by Follett. He made his writing worthwhile and enticing. On Wings of Eagles is an informative novel about an episode that took place in America's history, and it should continue to be largely and commonly read.