The Character Of Equality In Ayn Rand's Anthem

Anthem by Ayn Rand tells the story of a dystopian society in which individuality is prohibited: “We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, one, indivisible, and forever” (19). The main characters in the book are Equality 7-2521 and Liberty 5-3000. Both are very original characters with constant, well-developed traits. Throughout the story, Equality is curious, mindful, courageous, and independent.
Equality was born with the curse of curiosity. To be curious means to want to learn just for the purpose of knowing. Along with being curious, Equality is also mindful, meaning that he is aware of and knows things that others do not. Of his curse, Equality states, “Our curse makes us seek we know not what, ever and

ever. But we cannot resist it. It whispers to us that there are great things on this earth of ours, and that we can know them if we try, and that we must know them. We ask, why must we, but it has no answer to give us. We must know that we may know” (24). This quote gives us the perfect definition of curiosity: the desire to know that one may know.
While describing his early life, Equality says, “We wished to know… We asked so many questions that the teachers forbade it” (23). Later, he says, “I wished to know the meaning of things” (94). Equality just wanted to know. He asked questions for the purpose of learning new things.
“The Council of Scholars has said that we all know the things which exist and therefore the things which are not known by all do not exist.

But we think that the Council of Scholars is blind. The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who will seek them. We know, for we have found a secret unknown to all our brothers… No single one can possess greater wisdom than the many Scholars … Yet we can. We do … So much is still to be learned! So long a road lies before us, and what care we if we must travel it alone!” (52; 54). From a young age, Equality thought that the Earth held mysteries that not even the Scholars knew about (23). He seems to know that there is more to the world than just what he has been taught. He is mindful of the unknown. Equality claims that he has learned more in his underground tunnel than in the Home of the Students and knows things that the Scholars do not (36). He understands more than what they are taught and is aware of concepts no others have even

imagined.
“What is the Unspeakable Word?” Equality wonders (51). Although knowing this word is the most abominable sin known to mankind, Equality’s curiosity leads him to have a desire to know what the word is. While witnessing the burning of a man who spoke the Word, the Transgressor seems to pick Equality out from the crowd and tries to tell him the Word (51). This seemingly simple event demonstrates that Equality’s mindfulness has set him apart from others and even those, such as the Transgressor, who hardly know him, can tell that he is aware of things others have not learned of.
Equality’s curiosity and mindfulness results in his ability to create electricity, which was lost from the Unmentionable Times (59-60). The knowledge he has gained while striving to learn has helped him to become smart enough to recreate an invention that was lost centuries earlier. “There is some error, one frightful error, in the thinking of men. What is that error? We do not know, but the knowledge struggles within us, struggles to be born” (86). Through his studies, Equality has become more fully aware of the concepts that are missing from his society.
Even near the end of the book, Equality continues to have a desire to learn more. He reveals this by saying, “May knowledge come to us! What is the secret our heart has understood and yet will not reveal to us, although it seems to beat as if it were endeavoring to tell it?” (93). Equality finally begins to understand the secrets of the Unmentionable Times when he comes to the house left from that time (98-105). He is now completely aware of the concepts that were lost when his society was created, and yet he continues to learn, unable to rid himself of curiosity, the curse that has set him apart from all others from the day he was born.
Another one of Equality’s traits is independence. He is set apart from others and is free from others’ authority and control. “We are alone… We strive to be like all our brother men… We are not like our brothers. And as we look back upon our life, we see that it has ever been thus….” he says (17; 19-20). Throughout his life, Equality has been different from everyone else.
In school, Equality learns faster than other students. He is very curious and asks many questions (21-24). His love of learning sets him apart from others, although he tries to be the same as everyone else. Equality’s independence is noticed by the Council and other members of the society. He is assigned to be a Street Sweeper (26). This proves that the Council has recognized his difference because the Street Sweepers are known to be misfits. For example, some other Street Sweepers are Union 5-3992, who has seizures and only half a brain; International 4-8818, who makes people laugh and loves drawing; Fraternity 2-5503, who cries for no reason; and Solidarity 9-6347, who screams while he sleeps (29-30; 47). Liberty 5-3000 also takes notice of the fact that Equality stands out among others. She tells him, “You are not one of your brothers, Equality 7-2521…” (43). The name she gives him is “The Unconquered” (56). This name has deep meaning. Liberty has sensed that Equality is free from the Council’s bounds. He is his own person and his thoughts have not been conquered by the opinions of other men. Another society member who recognizes Equality’s independence is the Transgressor of the Unspeakable Word, who chooses to look at Equality of all the people in the crowd (51). The Transgressor can tell that there is something different about Equality, and he even tries to tell Equality the Word somehow, knowing that Equality can understand it because he is not the same as the other society members.
Equality takes pride in discoveries that only he knows about. When he discovers electricity, he says, “And we have discovered it alone, and we are alone to know it… We alone. Our hands. Our mind. Ours alone and only” (52; 59). He later realizes that he “... Built [the light] for its own sake” and not for the sake of his brothers” (76). Equality has shown his independence by creating and discovering new concepts on his own and finding them to be more important than his brothers.
Equality’s independence finally leads him to escape the City alone (75-80). Being different from others causes him to wish for a different life where he can be free from the opinions of others. He longs for an opportunity to express his independence, and so he leaves behind the only life he has ever known. By the end of the book, Equality has discovered and understood the meaning of the word “I” (94-105). This event has great meaning because he has finally realized that he is his own person. He knows that he can be set apart from his brothers in this new life he has found. This discovery has caused Equality to fully develop his independence. Being different in a society where everyone is the same can be hard. One has to be brave in order to be different.
Equality’s final character trait is courage. This means that he is willing to face danger no matter the consequences. From an early age, Equality has shown courage through his actions and words. One of Equality’s earliest displays of courage occurs when he accepts the calling to be a Street Sweeper (26). This may not seem like an act of bravery, but it proves that he does not fear what is to come. He describes himself as having “...the steadiest voice in the hall that day…” (26). Although he was not assigned to the job he wanted, he accepts his duty as a Street Sweeper without objection.
Equality is curious, and being curious causes him to enter a tunnel he finds while cleaning one day (31-33). He goes without knowing what dangers may await him at the bottom, but he is not afraid. Even after realizing that the tunnel is left from the Unmentionable Times, Equality continues to visit the tunnel so he can study (35-37). Although this act is forbidden, he returns to the tunnel every night for the next few years so he can do what he enjoys.
Equality is guilty of the Transgression of Preference. He considers International 4-8818 to be his friend (30). This is considered a great sin, but Equality does not take heed to City’s laws. He chooses to befriend another, despite the consequences he may suffer if it is discovered. Again, he commits this crime when he chooses Liberty 5-300, who he calls the Golden One, over all other women, even though it’s forbidden (38-45; 55-58). He dares love the woman of his preference and does not seem to worry about the consequences he may face for committing this crime.
When Equality is finally punished for his actions, he refuses to betray the light he created, even though he is lashed for it (63-66).

He endures thirty days of isolation, imprisonment, and torture so that he can protect his discovery. Equality is willing to face danger in order to stand for his knowledge and belief. After thirty days, he escapes the Palace of Corrective Detention so he can bring his light to the Scholars (67). He has one goal in mind and does all he can to reach that goal. The next day, Equality brings his light to the World Council of Scholars (68-74). He bravely faces the Scholars without knowing how they will react because he wants to share his knowledge with others. When they threaten to destroy the light he created, Equality escapes into the Uncharted Forest (74-77). He knows that he will likely die but does not fear the future because he is finally free from the City. He manages to survive in the Forest and makes it to a house from the Unmentionable Times, which he is not afraid of (74-89). Through his bravery, Equality is able to persevere. He prepares for a new life in this house, one full of endless possibilities (99-105). Equality is brave enough to leave behind all he has ever known to create a new life in the Unknown. It is his curiosity, mindfulness, independence, and courage that have led him

here.
Equality 7-2521 is an amazing character with well-developed character traits. These traits: curiosity, mindfulness, independence, and courage, are evident throughout the book. He shows these characteristics through his words, thoughts, and most importantly his actions. In the end, these traits lead him to discover a new life in a place full of opportunities.