Individualism Vs. Collectivism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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In Anthem, Ayn Rand uses a great deal of light and dark imagery to develop the theme of Individualism vs. Collectivism. Ayn Rand uses Equality’s thoughts saying “We are nothing. Man is all” (1938, p.7) to introduce the foundation for the theme of Individualism vs. Collectivism. Although this isn’t the first instance she develops this concept, she uses this quote to display the most prominent theme of Anthem. Ayn shows in multiple occasions that Equality is not like the other ‘brothers’ and is punished by teachers, “We strive to be like our brother men, for all men should be alike… we repeat this to ourselves, but it helps us not.” (Rand, 1938, p.6) shows the distorted mentality that the council drilled into the people, but the fact that Equality knows that he …show more content…

Equality states “It is dark in here.” (1932, p.32) it represents collectivism as it is existent all around the stock-still flame of the candle. As Anthem goes on and the total of light and dark imagery expands, the theme of Individualism vs. Collectivism becomes more fleshed out and blossoms. Using Equality’s beginning thoughts from the beginning of the story showing propaganda that the council drilled into him, Rand later shows the tiny glimpse of hope of individualism in Equality when he was contemplating about how saying “We strive to be like our brother men, for all men should be alike…” (1938, p.6), but thinks it doesn’t apply to him, because he know he is different and it doesn’t help him. Then Rand explains to the reader in words that the flame of the candle is alone in the dark tunnel. This is an indefinite form of individualism vs. collectivism. The flame of the candle being the individual, as it is alone, and the dark being the collectivism, as it is stalking the flame as it waits for it to burn

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