A name is one of the most thought about aspects when it comes to having a child. In Anthem Ayn Rand gave just as much thought to the names of the characters in her book as a couple about to give birth to their first child. Even on the surface it appears that the names were chosen with reason, but even deeper lies a meaning that is directly related to Ayn Rand’s own life. Ayn Rand was born and raised in communist Russia, and taking a deep look into the names of her characters leaves no questions on how she felt about the entirety of communism.
The beginning of Anthem quickly shows off its society which is defined by its obvious closeness to communism. It then advances by telling the story of the various people in the city in which Equality lives and how many of them ended up as his fellow Street Sweepers, like Fraternity, Union, Sorority, and Equality. While at first glance these names are obviously not the same, they
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are extremely close in meaning. Their overall definition is heavily emphasized on some sort of group and the idea of togetherness. Communism also deals with togetherness, in the sense that everything is public and used as a group. The relationship between these two is not a simple blunder, but a purposeful usage of names with a higher meaning than a word to call someone by. In Anthem the fact that individuality is absolutely unacceptable is made blatantly obvious by Ayn Rand.
As said above, the names used are almost the exact same in definition, but appear to be completely different. This is the result of the facade introduced by society to give the false sense of individuality. The final word of the book, ego, in its literal definition means a person feeling, thinking, and acting by their own self. This concept is easily distinguishable as an extreme negative in the society of Anthem. As Equality tells more about the other Street Sweepers, it becomes clear that they are the most individualistic, and were outcast with extreme prejudice. This only further supports the already obvious fact that difference and nonconformity is unacceptable in Anthem. Anybody who were to read this book would be completely against its society, and those feelings are exactly what Ayn Rand was attempting to get across. While it might not be realized quite as quickly, Rand was also trying to get the reader to feel the same way about
communism. When it comes to Anthem, there are a few outliers when it comes to names. Liberty and Equality are named for entirely different reasons. These names relate directly to the book and the character to which the name belongs. Naming a person Liberty in an anti-individuality society is somewhat of an oxymoron. The name is a foreshadowing of her decision to follow Equality and obtain true liberty. When Rand named her she was hoping that people would look up to Liberty, as she is the character who decides to go against society in order to reach freedom. Liberty is not the first person to leave, as she follows Equality into the Uncharted Forest. Rand is telling her audience that the people who follow that first person are equally as important as that first person. At first Equality seems to share the theme of togetherness in the definition, but Rand portrays him very differently. Equality essentially attempt to become equal or even better than his superiors, and Rand hopes to inspire her readers in the same way. She is also saying that equality is not always something that should be sought after. Instead she shows that going against the status quo is potentially the best thing that a person can do. Names can be extremely important, and it is obvious how much time and thought was put into creating the characters and giving them their appropriate names. Anthem not only creates an anti-communist feeling in the reader, but highlights the importance of individuality and nonconformity. In the end Rand’s hatred for communism and love for individuality is obvious when the deeper meanings of the names of her characters are revealed.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world where everyone was forced to be exactly alike? Well in Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem she directly confronts this topic through the main character named Equality 7-2521. Equality 7-2521 faces challenges directly relating to the issue that the government has been trying to address for many years. Equality 7-2521 is not like his brothers, he is smarter, wiser and even taller, therefore, his brothers think that he has “evil in his bones” (Rand 18). The book Anthem is the firsthand account of how Equality 7-2521 finds the word “I” amongst the word “We”. He does not agree with these rules that the government has put into place, these are the rules that held him back for a time, but in the end, pushed him forward to be his own person.
In the book Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 had never seen his physical appearance. He was surprised to see 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 of 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.
Ayn Rand made it very difficult for the reader to understand the purpose of the title. In fact there are many different reasons she could have possibly chosen this title. Some say she chose it instead of her other title Ego for publication reasons basically believing the title Anthem was more intriguing. Others believe there is a deeper meaning to it than that. The dictionary definition of anthem is a song or poem of celebration usually in relationship with religion. Interestingly enough the entire
Ayn Rand, in Anthem, illustrates a futuristic, socialist society. In the novel, Rand destroys any sense of individuality and describes the social setbacks endured after living ‘only for the brotherhood’. The individual person fails to exist and is but a ‘we’ and recognized by a word and a series of numbers rather than a name. Additionally, she describes the horrors encountered within this different system of life: from reproduction methods to punishments. Through the life of Equality 7-2521, Rand demonstrates a person’s journey from obedience to exile in this socialist society. Throughout the entire novel, Rand criticizes Marxist theory as she demonstrates socialism’s failure to suppress revolution, thwart material dialectic, and its detriment to humanity.
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 the novel, Anthem, written by Ayn Rand takes place when mankind has entered another dark age. A man named Equality 7-2521 lives in a society where he struggles to live equal within the brotherhood. In the world he lives in people are told they exist only for the sake of serving society, and have no other purpose. Therefore, each individual is assigned a vocation as a permanent life career which determines who they socialize and live with. However, Equality being very different from his brothers, believes in individualism and rejects the collectivism society around him. The concept of individualism vs collectivism is portrayed in the story because individuality is unknown to the people where no one is unique or excellent in any way. The people
“Can you imagine what a mess a world would be without names? (website)Names are very important to a person and their individuality. Ayn Rand’s novel “Anthem” is a book in which the people written about do not have names. The importance of having your own individual names is huge. A name can have meaning given to it, like how the name Sue means lily. Most parents when giving you your name have a meaning behind it and put much thought into what their future child should be named. Names can give you a part of your identity.
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.
At the start of Anthem, Equality is a collectivist who knows there is something wrong with the world he lives in. This allows him to evolve into an individualist. Equality says , “It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see. It is base and evil. It is as if we were speaking alone to no ears but our own” (Rand 17). Equality admits he has committed a transgression and hopes to be forgiven. Equality, at this moment, is living to the standards of others because he lives in a society where no man is to think differently than another. This contradicts Rand’s philosophy because she says that a man is entitled to his own happiness and that you are in charge of it, but since Equality is living to the rules of his society, he cannot find his own happiness, for he is almost forbidden to do so. Likewise, it states in the text, “I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debts from them. I ask none to live for me, nor do I live for any others. I covet no man’s soul, nor is my soul theirs to covet” (Rand 96). Equality realizes that he is not to live nor commit himself to the standards of others. He has come to the understanding, as Ayn Rand says in her interview, “That he cannot demand that others give up their lives to make him happy, nor should he wish to sacrifice himself for the happiness of others.” Equality finds his own happiness because he has found himself, and he has learned that he cannot put his happiness in the hands of others nor put the happiness of others in his own hands. This allowed him to find himself, and to find
Ayn Rand wrote Anthem as a critique of Communism, yet along with that she demonstrated her own belief system of individual ideals. Objectivism was aptly shown throughout the entire novella with the thoughts and actions of the main characters, Equality and Liberty in contrast with the universal thought of the city and society. Rand clearly showed her philosophy well in this story.
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
Ayn Rand’s Anthem is a politically satirical novel set in a future society that is so highly collectivized that the word “I” has been banned. The world is governed by various councils who believe that man’s sole reason for existence is to enforce the Great Truth “that all men are one and that there is no will save the will of all men together” (Rand, 20). Any indication of an individual’s independent spirit is swiftly and brutally put down, with the transgressors being punished with severe prison sentences or even death. It is this dysfunctional world that Equality 7-2521 is born into. The novel begins with Equality 7-2521 alone in a dark tunnel, transcribing his story.
The dystopia depicted in Anthem could quite easily be considered Ayn Rand’s commentary on society. It puts into perspective the downfalls of societal trends and putting others above oneself. The novella itself is a satire of Collectivism, which can be seen in examples of Communism. Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism includes ideas of immutable facts, rationalist mentality, self-prioritization, and a capitalist society (ARI, n.d.). Her ideas are shown in a variety of aspects throughout the novella. Oppression felt due to the collective mentality is the most prominent of the ideas shown. Another aspect that is important to note is Equality 7-2521’s natural tendency to struggle against the restrictions set upon
Anthem is a novella written by Ayn Rand, in which Equality 7-2521, the protagonist, struggles for self-identification living in a collectivist society. Equality believes that individuality is an eminent aspect of one’s life because individuality defines and outlines who man is. He endures all the hardships in his life living with people who support collectivism, and who reject his ideas. For example, when Equality 7-2521 invents and exhibits the light bulb, the World Council rejects it and tells him that it is selfish to work on something alone instead of working with his brothers. The World Council threatens to destroy the light bulb but Equality does not let that happen and rebels, so he is forced into exile from his society. Equality realizes that he is different from others because he cares about his happiness unlike others who are convinced to believe that a group’s happiness counts more than an individual’s happiness.
Anthem is a book full to the brim of symbolism. Some of it is clear to see and others you have to really pay attention to capture. Anthem is not a hard book to understand, but it can still be difficult to grasp the full meaning of it. The meaning of which is elusive at points, slipping between your fingers and resting on the pages in plain view. Unity, we, I, Ego, it all plays a major part in this book along with the symbolism of things.