Equality 7-2521 In Ayn Rand's Anthem

Aristotle once said “the worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.” As demonstrating in the powerful novella Anthem, Equality 7-2521, like many others in his community, is a victim of this. Ayn Rand’s writing depicts a strict collectivist society in which there is absolutely no individual expression. The lives of these people are controlled by the Council of Vocations, a powerful group which dictates the occupations held by every individual until the age of forty, when they enter the Home of the Useless. The Council of Vocations is supposed to assign jobs according to specific talents and skills that could benefit their society as a whole. However, as demonstrated many times, it is also used as a way of control. Even

as a young child, Equality was taller, more intelligent, and more rebellious than his brothers and sisters, and these traits were recognized by his teachers as well as the Council of Vocations. Equality was assigned the job of a street sweeper out of sinister motivations because they believe his superior physical and mental traits served as a threat to the society.
“..We, Equality 7-2521, were not happy in those years in the Home of the Students.

It was not that the learning was too hard for us. It was that the learning was too easy. This is a great sin, to be born with a head which is too quick. It is not good to be different from our brothers, but it is evil to be superior to them. The Teachers told us so, and they frowned when they looked upon us…” (21). “No single one can possess greater wisdom than the many scholars who are elected by all men for their wisdom, yet we can. We do. We have fought against saying it, but now it is said. We do not care. We forget all men, all laws and all things save our metals and our wires. So much is still to be learned! So long a road lies before us, and what care we if we must travel it alone!” (54). Equality 7-2521 was born with a curse, the desire to know. He was always unsatisfied by the finite amount of education given to him at the Home of the Students. He craved more knowledge, to learn and discover more about the world and himself. However, these urges are strongly frowned upon in Equality’s society, as any new information and discoveries could disrupt the way of life that the Councils have tried so hard to maintain. The Council of Vocations felt threatened by Equality’s amount of knowledge and quick wit because he didn’t fit into society’s typical “norm”. They feared that he was a potential individual and that if he was put into a high position, such as a Scholar, that he would

influence his brothers and encourage their individuality, thus destroying their “equal”, complacent society.
“…We are six feet tall, and this is a burden, for not many men are six feet tall…”(18).

As a student, Equality was often reprimanded by both his teacher and his classmates at the Home of the Scholars because he was too tall. Equality’s height showed a strange sort of superiority and inequality over his brothers, being physically different. “…Ever have the Teachers and the Leaders pointed to us and frowned and said: “There is evil in your bones, Equality 7-2521, for your body has grown beyond the bodies of your brothers.” But we cannot change our bones nor our body…” (18). In the society of Anthem all men must strive to be exactly alike to sustain their collectivist society. However, because Equality’s body has grown beyond those of his brother, he is unable to fit into this idea of perfect conformity, which according to the state, makes him

evil.
Finally, another thing that makes Equality 7-2521 is his rebellious instinct. The Home of the Scholar, in some terms, is much like a modern day school, in which children are bullied. Equality often got into fights with other boys because he was picked on for his height. This ability to not only stand up and fight back but also breaking the rules to do so show the Council of Scholars that Equality was fearless. Because of that, they have reason to believe that Equality wouldn’t hesitate to go against the state if they do something he doesn’t like or believe in.
From getting lashed for his intelligence to being picked on for his height, Equality 7-2521 faced a great deal of inequality in his life, being assigned the job of a street sweeper was the worst of them all. Equality was always different, and because of that The Council of Vocations noticed and feared him. The Council didn’t make him a street sweeper because of a mistake or because an error, the made him one because they were afraid of his abilities and what he could do with them. They thought that if he was put into a place of power that he would destroy their equal society with his individuality. But what the Council of Vocations didn’t realize that no job or obstacle could’ve prevented Equality from leaving the long lasting mark of “I”.
“I am done with the monster of "We," the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood and shame. And now I see the face of god, and I raise this god over the earth, this god whom men have sought since men came into being, this god who will grant them joy and peace and pride. This god, this one word: "I.””(97).