What is Ego? The definition of ego is “ a person's sense of self-esteem or self-importance”. In today’s society, the word is relevantly negative connotations such as self-absorbed, cocky and narcissistic. In Ayn Rand's Anthem, their dystopian society conflicts with ego because they want everyone to be “equal”. The main character, Prometheus has a difficult time fitting into their society. After realizing how different he is through trials and tribulations, he sets out to find the meaning of ego. By rebelling against society and finding his own happiness, he demonstrates being an Egoist is a good thing. Throughout the story Prometheus, formerly known as Equality is always breaking society's rules. There are apparently thirty two rules and …show more content…
he manages to break every single one of them. For instance, “ it is forbidden to write or think something nobody else thinks.”. Prometheus has a journal and records every science experiment he performs. In one of his experiments, he dissects a frog on a wire and discovers electricity. Later on he takes it In their society, everyone is assigned a career at an early age. They have no choice but to go to their assigned jobs. Equality shows Collective 0-0009 , the leader of the Home of Scholars, his invention. They quickly refuse his invention and try to have Equality arrested. This is remotely similar to Ayn Rand speech ‘the soul individualist” were thousand of years ago the first man made fire. He was probably burn at the stake had taught his brothers to light. He was considered an evil doer who has dealt with evil kid dreadhead.but there aftermath man had fire to keep warm, to cook food, to light there caves.” Prometheus has an invention that is evolutionary, but the council refused his invention because he was a street sweeper, and the department of candle could not "be destroyed by the whim of one". Meaning,the department of candles took 50 years to be approved by everyone in the society, so getting rid of it because one person says to is disrespectful to the council, even though the invention is more sufficient. Equality is set in finding his happiness after meeting Liberty.
He meets her in the field working.They talk and learn about each other . Liberty is seventeen, she is not ready to be sent to the “Place of Mating”. Equality is full of relief that she is not a that stage yet and wants to prevent it from happening. Equality fall in love with Liberty not only for her looks, but her eyes ,the way they show no sense of fear, kindness, and guilt. Several days later, after the council tries to imprison Equality. Equality escape to the Forbidden Forest where he was told it was a dangerous place, he takes the chance and goes there, only to realize that it was beautiful place full flowers and trees, nothing harmfull. Liberty follows him to the forest because of his courage, she also wants to take part in his damnation. With that equality kisses her, and they stand together becoming one. Walking for days and night in the Mountains to make sure no one will find them they stumble across an old-abandoned looking house. They come to a conclusion that is was from The Unmentionable times. When they enter the house, they discover so many new items to them that would be regular to people of today, such as beds, light bulbs, closets, and many other items. Equality finds a library and starts to read the books finding out the true of “I” which is a singular self-reference. He goes through more books and find the name Prometheus which he names himself and names liberty Gaea. Equality finally …show more content…
owns something for himself and does not want to share it. Considering what he went through is very reasonable why he won't share something he finally owns for himself. Referring back to the speech of “The soul of an individualist”. “The first right on earth is to the ego. Man’s first duty is to himself. His moral laws is never to place his prime goal within the person of others. His moral obligation is to do what he wishes,provided his wish does not to depend on other men. This includes the whole sphere of his creative faculty, his thinking, his work,” Prometheus wants are his first priority ,and he chooses to go back to the city to teach the Home of Scholars about electricity, knowing the power and knowledge he holds. Equality being an egoist is very positive because who took his own path and makes an invention very evolutionary, He also discovers Things about the earth that know one else knows.
There society was hurting people because they weren't allowed to reach their full capacity of there true knowledge. When they are born they were all ready under the control of the government.They were already assigned a career, and if you were not needed you were put into a place for people of no use. People could not do anything for themselves. They didn't even know who to refer to themselves as an individual. When Equality finds out what it means to be an individual he plans to go back to the city and help other people discover what it means, to share his knowledge on what he read in the books he
discovered. Finally, understanding how to do things for yourself is a great achievement.Through the journey people get to discover love, and the importance of your self-being. And then owning something to yourself, referring to yourself, and to stop being part of a whole to find yourself as an individual. This is why being an egoist is a great thing, because in the end, it is you, yourself, who you have to worry and take care of.
In the book Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 had never seen his physical appearance. He was surprised seeing 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 to 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.
...e the instruction of their dishonest city and directed Equality to the finding of the largest part of the human strength, egoism. “Ego” is the forbidden word that The Transgressor of the Unspeakable Word suffered from. He was burned alive because he was one of little that knew what individualism was. Prometheus and Gaea modernized this human race for centuries and initiated a new kind of success and advancement. Equality and Liberty will make a society that could possibly help the planet for the creation of light by rejoicing the individual human spirit, a thing to be set free, not restrained and crushed out of terror. Their discoveries put to rest the corrupt preaching of selflessness and humility in favor of the truly moral philosophies of freedom and, in fact, selfishness. Those are the reasons that Ayn Rand named Equality, Prometheus, and Liberty, Gaea.
Equality is different from the other men in his world, and because of this he has lived most of his life concealing his emotions, being outcasted and punished by the leaders and teachers of his society, and stripping himself of his talents and uniqueness, therefore he has every right to criticize the leaders who kept the real Equality trapped inside for so very long. Equality expresses his love for science and aspiration to be a Scholar throughout the book and talks of how he wished to be sent to the Home of Scholars so badly his hands trembled under the blankets at night and he had to bite his arm just to stop the pain of wanting something so much (Rand 24). To want something so badly and have to conceal it everyday with no one to share it with is a very difficult thing for someone to have to do. Equality also struggled with concealing his friendship,“International 4-8818 and we are friends.
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.
The book Anthem is a book that can be perceived many various ways. To me, Anthem is about an outstandingly smart young man, named Equality 7-2521
In a word where the past is the future and every individual strives to be like all their brother men, there is no room for difference. From the time he was five, Equality knew he was different from his classmates. However, he was not the only one who knew of his difference. The teachers and the leaders of the community frequently reminded him that he was not like everyone else. They “ frowned and said: ‘There is evil in your bones, Equality 7-2521, for your body has grown beyond the bodies of your brothers’ ”. (Rand 18). He was taller and much smarter than everyone, and this was considered a burden. When the Council of Vocations decided to make Equality a Street Sweeper, their choice was not due to error or incompetence, but fear. They were frightened of what could happen to their society if Equality became a Scholar. There were many reasons for the choice they had made.
Anthem, by Ayn Rand, is a very unique novel. It encircles individualism and makes the reader think of how people can conform to society and do as they are told without knowing the consequences and results of their decisions. Also, it teaches the importance of self expression and the freedom that comes along with being your own person and having the power to choose what path to take in life. Figurative language is used often in this book and in a variety of quotes that have great importance to the theme, plot, and conflict of the novel.
In Ayn Rand’s famous, or in some circles, infamous, story Anthem, the differing ideologies of objectivism and collectivism are pit against each other. With objectivism being so tight knit and different from the society in the book, it seems that it would be almost impossible to truly follow in its entirety. However, Anthem, as a whole, doesn’t violate the ideals of Rand’s philosophy of objectivism.
Ayn Rand, a contentious woman, the new favorite author to multiple people’s list. People who have read her magnificent book, Anthem, understand how exquisite and meaningful her words are. Books like Anthem are worth reading because it gives the reader more knowledge about controversial topics and it takes the reader to experience new places and new adventures. Equality, the main character, is a symbol. He represents many people today, living in countries like his society. Equality has to find his true identity first before helping the others. People are not allowed to believe in individualism, they should not have a identity of their own. Each person has a monotone routine to follow every single day of their lives. Each step a person takes
Each one believed that the other one was committing blasphemy. Ayn Rand clearly portrays Prometheus as the protagonist, but she is not the only one who believes that Prometheus’ philosophy is correct. The United States’ Constitution is a document which was written to outline and sanctify the rights of individuals in our country. For example, the First Amendment guarantees that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech” (Amend. I.
Equality 7-2521 embodies this essential idea throughout the story because of his eternal struggle with not quite being able to conform to society’s expectations. He is physically different from the others (Rand, 1946, p. 2) as well as mentally different as he disagreed with others even as a child (p. 4) and was smarter than the rest (p. 5), and this mental sharpness is carried into adulthood as he is able to discern the feelings of oppression and fear that weigh over all men in this time (Rand, 1946, p. 30). Rather than acting as a machine, he feels preferences and desires within himself. Equality 7-2521 enjoys science, dreams of being a Scholar, likes a pretty girl, and wonders about himself. Since these things are not shared by all, they are forbidden, and despite how simple they may be, they define
middle of paper ... ... He renames himself also because he feels like a new person after his discovery of freedom. By the end of the novella, Equality comes upon a house from the Unmentionable Times for him and the Golden One to live in. Equality is in love with the Golden One, who followed him to the forest after he was gone from the city.
To begin with, the knowledge of new information from science can spur rebellion among the citizens, insinuated by the tight control shown in the novella. The Council begins to berate Equality for daring to be different from the rest of society. After Equality presents his light discovery Collective
Equality invented something that no ones ever seen before. He built something to make a difference in society and to brighten the world, light. Light is what he invented and it was a miracle when it worked. Another similarity between Equality and Prometheus was their sacrifices for their values. No matter what circumstances they both went through, they stuck with it and did not give up because they believed that they could make a difference in society. They did not want to give up because it was something that they believed they could do to make the world a better place for themselves and others. All though Prometheus was punished by Zeus for all time. Equality knew that if he was discovered he would be punished for what he invented but he didn’t care if he got punished or not. When Equality brought his invention to the C...
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.