Anthem By Ayn Rand: Literary Analysis

In the novella Anthem written by the novelist and the philosopher Ayn Rand, a collectivist society is depicted throughout the entire story. The people of the society are taught from the time of their birth to consider others before themselves. They are not to be prideful of themselves or of their own uniqueness. The goal of the society is for all of the people within its control to be relatively simple, low-minded people who just go through the routine set by the higher authority without question. Any person who stands out from the others is considered to be cursed and evil. The higher authority of the society, the Council, forbids people from using the word “I” when pertaining to themselves because that brings a sense of individualism that is forbidden.

They are forbidden from thinking in terms of their own interests. They also are prohibited from taking interest in one person over another. The Council controls the speech and the press of the people, replicating the definition of the Authoritarian theory of free speech. There are also more restrictions that are put on the people of the city. Men and women may not think of each other unless it is during the timing of the specific set mating period.

They are denied the freedom to write or express their thoughts with others or themselves. The people cannot be alone at any times because that leads to a more intense thought process. And lastly, everything that is not permitted by the law is assumed to be prohibited (Rand, Ayn). This way of society is most definitely Authoritarian. The Council determines everything about the lives of its people (Free Speech Notes). This extent of control seems to be absurd to most outsiders like myself looking in, but I suppose it was what they believed to be effective. One would imagine that a functioning society would be best if all of the unique minds were put to use and allowed to freely think. Freely thinking and expression represents Absolute Absolutism. This theory states that there should be no restraints on free speech at all (Free Speech Notes). This is how many people feel, especially when dealing with art and music. It is believed that art and music are personal elements that should not be censored or limited. Its function is to act as an escape or a blank surface for the thoughts of those who create it to

reside. It is simply a display of the person’s thoughts, and since thoughts cannot be censored, art and music should not be censored either. Some people would argue that statement by claiming some art and music pieces are inappropriate for the common people to be exposed to. The Absolute Absolutism theory would disagree with that argument because of the stance of no restrictions that is held. There are many different claims made regarding free speech. Many different theories have been thought of in order to create the seemingless perfect solution that feels so impossible to achieve (Free Speech Notes).