'Anthem And The Soul Of An Individualist'

Prompt #3

In today’s society, it is considered wrong to be an egoist. The author, Ayn Rand, expresses her belief in individualism and egoism in Anthem and “The Soul of an Individualist”. Both pieces of literature cover the topic of egoism. From analyzing these texts, readers characterize Prometheus as an egoist, discover the meaning of the word “ego”, and realize that egoism can be a good and bad thing.

In the texts, Anthem, and “The Soul of an Individualist”, Ayn Rand expresses the meaning of the word “ego”. Egoism is each man’s primary obligation to achieve his own welfare or well-being. Each man has the right to be selfish to benefit himself. A quote from “The Soul of an Individualist” states, “An egoist is a man who thinks and works alone” (Rand “Soul”). The author is saying that egoists only work alone, probably

because they feel that others will not understand what they are working on. This could be a portrayal of the character, Prometheus, because of how he created the lightbulb by himself. Prometheus says, “Our brothers! You are right. Let the will of the Council be done upon our body. We do not care. But the light? What will you do with the light?” (Rand 72). When he presented the lightbulb to the Council, he felt proud when he created something independently, which could benefit his society greatly. This shows how an egoist can create something independently and selfishly, but it can also be something that benefits others.
By reading the texts, egoism can be interpreted as both a good and bad thing. Many people think that egoists are just selfish people, but they are much more than that. Ayn Rand feels that it is okay to be selfish and care for yourself. In “The Soul of an Individualist”, the author says, “The creators were not selfless . . . The creator served nothing and no one. He lived for himself” (Rand “Soul”). Individuals should not feel obligated to help others. They should not become a lesser version of themselves, to feel equal to others. People should live to their full potential. This part of egoism can be seen as positive because it encourages other to be their best selves. A side of egoism that is looked down upon is that egoists can be arrogant and self-centered. A source says, “Rational egoism (also called rational selfishness) is the principle that an action is rational if and only if it maximizes one's self-interest. The view is a normative form of egoism” (Wikipedia). People who feel that they are better than others are not going to benefit the society. Egoists should strive to have a healthy ego that does not does not affect others in a negative way.
From the story, Anthem, the character Prometheus discovers what it is like to be an egoist.

In most of the story, Prometheus expresses how he stands with his brothers, and how they strive to be alike. He lives in a collectivist society and has never known what it is like to be an individual. After escaping to the uncharted forest, he starts to realize the importance of individualism, “ I am. I think. I will. My hands . . . My spirit . . . My sky . . . My forest . . . This earth of mine. . . .” (Rand 94). At this point in the story, Equality has learned that meaning of the word “I”. He is also understanding how it is like to be an individual. He finally feels that he has found his true identity. Another quote from the story reads, “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). Prometheus has realized that he is his own person and he does not have to care about others like he used to. What Prometheus says can be seen as selfish, and, seeing that egoists are known to be self-centered. Prometheus is an

egoist.
By reading these texts, readers discover that the word “ego” is an individual’s self-importance, it can be interpreted as a good or bad thing, and that Prometheus is an egoist. Before reading Anthem and “The Soul of an Individualist”, it is understandable as to why individuals would assume that egoists are just self-centered people. However, after reading these texts, the audience has a better understanding of egoism and might even discover that they are an egoist themselves.