Individuality In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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“It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no other think and to put them on paper no others are to see. It is base and evil. It is as if we were speaking to no ears but our own. And we know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone. We have broken the laws. The laws says that men may not write unless the Council of Vocations bid them so. May we be forgiven!”(17). In Anthem, Equality 7-2521 is motivated by his search for individuality, his love of his work and to fulfill his curiosity. One way that Equality is motivated is by is his want for individuality. In Anthem Equality says “We have stolen candles from the Home of the Street Sweepers, we have stolen flints and knives and paper, and we have brought …show more content…

“We think that there are mysteries in the sky and under the water and in the plants which grow. But the Council of Scholars has said that there are no mysteries, and the Council of Scholars knows all things. And we learned much from our Teachers. We learned that the earth is flat and that the sun revolves around it, which causes day and night. We learned the names of all the winds which blow over the seas and push the sails of our great ships. We learned how to bleed men to cure them of all ailments.”(23). We learn here that Equality wants to learn more than he already did. Equality also mentions that he disagrees with the council on whether there are still mysteries about things. Equality is right to be motivated this way. It's the way most people are motivated. Often it's “I wonder what will happen if I do this”. If the world was motivated this way it would be similar to how it is, except there may not be as many businesses since people wouldn't be motivated by money. Another way Equality was motivated is by his love of his work. “We made it. We created it. We brought it forth from the night of our ages. We alone. Our hands. Our mind. Ours alone and only.”(59). We see here that Equality is proud of the work he did himself, “We care not about our own body, but our light is…”(61). Here Equality would rather die than he invention be destroyed. He truly loves it. Equality is right to be motivated

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