Individualism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

Louis Kronenberger, a novelist, once said: “Individualism is rather like innocence, there must be something, unconscious about it”. Individualism is truly at the core of every being and is a fundamental part of every living thing. There will always be differences in a community, whether it is among humans, plants, or animals. These variations, whether physical or not, make us separate from the rest of the population. Collectivism cannot occur because no matter how someone attempts to make everyone alike, suppressing personality is not possible. Equality, the main character of Anthem, is used as a device to exhibit this. He is constantly pressured to conform, but is not able to change who he is. The author uses three topics throughout the book

which teach the reader that the ultimate society cannot be built upon collectivism and limitations, but must be built on freedom and individualism. She uses contrasting examples to illustrate these teachings. Anthem, by Ayn Rand, has three important themes, the importance of love, individuality, and preference.
Preference is emphasized throughout the book and is a significant theme. It shapes Equality over time. Preference of friends is shown with International, preference of love is displayed with Liberty, and preference of subject is conveyed with science. One example of selection in the book is of one man over another. He favors International over the others he works with. International supports him and they have a special bond. Equality and International find a grate, which International encourages Equality to go down. Afterward, International insists they tell The Council but Equality disagrees. International, being a loyal friend states “‘But if you wish it so, we shall obey you. Rather shall we be evil with you than good with all our brothers”’(Rand, 34). This preference led to a bond so deep that he is willing to take a fall for Equality. This is pivotal because International protects Equality even when he may be breaking the law. Another example of preference is Liberty. Liberty is a woman that Equality spots while working. She catches his eye and soon they have an unbreakable tie. There is a special fixation between them. Their selection leads to positive effects for Equality. Equality is filled with love and a sense of hope for a better future. He has a new motivation to better his life. Ayn Rand is demonstrating that if selection is allowed to occur, it can change people’s lives. One more instance of selection is Equality’s inclination towards science. He is denied this when the council appoints him to the house of street sweepers. In secret he does experiments, discovering new things. If this society allowed selection in choosing careers they would have an increase in innovation and flow of ideas. This is extremely critical to a society because it can impact whether the people survive. Preference, while supposedly a transgression in this society, is important because differences in love, friends, and drive are a part of every person and can have positive influences on society.
Another wrongdoing is standing out from the other people or individuality.

This is a theme shown throughout Anthem. One instance which proves this impact is the restriction used in the society. Singularity is highly prohibited in jobs and lifestyle. This causes depression and fear among the citizens of the town. Their depression is uncovered when Equality reveals, “the eyes of our brothers are dull, and never do they look one another in the eyes”(Rand, 46). They do not enjoy life because they are not allowed to choose what they want to do. Life is meant to be about someone finding their own purpose. When this is taken away people suffer. Another example of the effect of individuality is Equality. When he is down in the tunnel, allowed to be his true self he can create wonderful things. His separate thoughts lead to the discovery of electricity and light bulbs, which could have been used to better the society. What he created separately was a groundbreaking discovery which could have changed the lives of the people. He, himself excels in a field that he enjoys. One more example of this impact on Equality is when he escapes from this society. He finds a home where he and Liberty end up living. Once he is free from collectivism to act by his own choices, he realizes the joy and pride it gives him. He realizes that working for a group is evil. He moves on his own, pleased that his actions are truly his own and not made to better a group. When individuality is suppressed it leads to despair among the people. If it was permissible then the society would benefit and the citizens would be

happier.
When love is suppressed, similarly to individuality, it can cause misery. The role that love plays is a reoccurring topic in Anthem. One example of the influence of love is the changes it creates within Equality. When Equality falls in love with Liberty his emotions change. He is elated, he is given a purpose and something to work for. After he talks with Liberty, he is so happy he finds himself singing, which is noticed in this society. The Council reprimands him for this and when asked why he answers, “‘We are singing because we are happy’”(Rand, 45). Outward joy is not often expressed but Liberty has this effect on him. She makes him want to create a peaceful future with her. Their deep connection drives him to strive for something better. Another case of the effect of love is the life that Equality and Liberty end up leading. Without Liberty’s perseverance to chase him, he would be alone in the forest. After he ran away from the society he was by himself. She followed his tracks, led by their attachment and found him. Without her, his life would be different, they found a home together in which they now inhabit. Outside of the society, they build their future, Liberty becoming pregnant with my child. Love is also significant because it is choosing to put someone else's needs first. Collectivism, the ideal of the society focuses on working together to better the group, putting the group as the first priority. This is placed upon the people of the society, who have no choice but to take part in collectivism. Love is a choice to put someone first and is not forced. This intimacy is so important because Equality is doing this of his own accord. He is the one choosing to say “we” and work together as a partnership, which brings him true joy. Love is vital because it shapes a person's personality, future, and outlook.
Preference can shape someone's whole life. Being able to find friends, love, and make choices in life leads to true happiness. This theme is displayed by Equality, when he is able to have freedom over his choices, he becomes truly content. Individuality is a major factor which dispels fear and introduces new innovations into a society. Love leads to hope, joy, and motivation. In Anthem, love, individuality, and preference are all restricted. This is used as a tactic to keep citizens compliant. When Equality breaks free he realizes that these three things are some of the most crucial parts of life. This society, while it strived to be a utopia, could never truly work as one. If you take away the most basic things about being an individual, a period of stagnation in imagination, creativity, and pleasure will occur, creating a dystopia. A fitting example of this in the real world is North Korea. Most countries in the world are based on individualism or a mix of different ideals. In North Korea, personal goals and desires are renounced. This is used to keep the citizens controlled and unknowledgeable about anywhere outside of their country. They are conditioned at a young age to despise other countries and their principles. This is the truest dystopia a society can be. By creating these standards for a utopia, they ironically created a dystopia.