Anthem: Individualism and Dystopia

“We know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone.” (Rand 1). Anthem is a dystopian novel published by Ayn Rand in 1938. The novel is centered around the character Equality 7-2521, a man trapped in a collectivist society, who chose to take the risk of defying the strict government in his city in order to fulfill his entire potential. Throughout the novel the reader observes that this society tries to sell total equality, but instead strategically degrades those who are unique in an attempt to essentially enslave the inhabitants of the city and deprive individuals of joy, but in the society Equality wishes to create for himself and others he wants to put an end to these absurd rules and create a place where individuals

One scene where this is blatantly clear is when Equality states why International 4-8818 became a street sweeper. He says, “it is only our brothers in the Home of Artists who are permitted to draw pictures, so International 4-8818 were sent to the Home of the Street Sweepers, like ourselves.” (30). This illustrates how humanity is denied joy because International was not allowed to indulge himself in the activity that he loved, art. This is mirrored in Rand’s life because she too was not allowed to become a writer in Russia. Another occasion where joy is stolen from an individual is when Equality yearns to learn but his teachers limit him. He says, “We wished to know. We wished to know all things which make the earth around us. We asked so many questions that the Teachers forbade it.” (23). This presents how Equality was not permitted to experience the joy he received from learning because he was denied the right to question and learn more. This is something that is also evident in Rand’s life because she was not able to pursue her passion in Russia, writing. The final display of joy being taken from an individual was when Equality witnessed a man burned at the stake. He says, “There is no crime punished by death in this world, save this one of speaking the Unspeakable Word. We have seen one of such men burned alive in the square of the city.”

One moment where this is evident is when Equality realizes singularity is the answer to finding freedom. He says, “This is my body and spirit, this is the end of the quest.” (94). This showcases how Equality is glad he found an explanation for why he was ostracized in his former society because he learns that he never felt the power of “we” but always felt the impact of singularity. This same feeling was felt by Rand when she left a communist society and entered into a democratic one. Another scene where the society Equality wishes to created is depicted is when he decides we should not be used unwillingly. He says, “The word “We” must never be spoken, save by one’s choice and as a second thought. This word must never be placed within man’s soul, else it becomes a monster, the root of all evils on earth, the root of man’s torture by men and of an unspeakable lie.” (97). This quote showcases how Equality is hoping to create a society completely opposite to the one he was raised in because he disagrees with the core philosophy of collectively being one group and he believes one should only be involved with who they wish to be involved with. The final instance where it is clear Equality does not want any of the rules from his former society is when he disagrees with serving others. He says, "I am not a tool for their use. I am not a servant for their needs.”