The Portrayal Of Collectivism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

“We are all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, One, Indivisible and forever” (Anthem 19). Extremism brings attention. Ayn found that the beauty of portraying collectivism in such an extreme way is that we are now able to see, feel and understand more of Ms. Rand's views, like why selflessness is actually bad. Ayn teaches many lessons about how selfishness is necessary for human development, and relationships. As Equality 7-2521 finds a sense of self he is able to build better relationships with others, as well as with life.

Ms. Rand’s portrayal of collectivism is astounding. She went to the extreme in her detail to get attention; and attention is what she got. The attention that Ayn drew to her book, Anthem, brought an awareness that was necessary in order to help people move past collectivism and selflessness. It was started that “The values at stake in Anthem are not merely those of the central character; they are the professed values of an entire civilization—our own” (Ayn Rand) Civilizations have been affected by authors openly sharing views to make others aware. Ayn Rand’s writings are affecting

civilizations. “We must spread our principles, not with words but with deeds, for this is the most popular, the most potent, and the most irresistible form of propaganda” (Bakunin) Ayn found an original way to spread the “propaganda” in her words through the story of Equality 7-2521.
“We felt torn, torn for some word we could not find” (Anthem 87). There are 218,632 Word in the english language, with more than 45,000 of them no longer being used and yet Equality 7-2521 was torn searching for some word he did not know, that they no longer used. Equality 7-2521 was a man in the sense of the word but never truly became a man until he learned “I” and had a sense of self. Man without self is not man. “The virtue involved in helping those one loves is not 'selflessness' or 'sacrifice,' but integrity” (Ayn Rand). Part of having self is having integrity, one must be true to oneself at all times.
“I am.

I think. I will.” (Anthem 94). “I” is a word essential to the ego of man; while as Ayn put it, Ego is the heart, meaning and glory of the earth (Anthem 105). One must have an ego to thrive in this world, because without an ego or sense of self, there is no drive found to work or get things done. With ego comes selfishness. Selfishness is an important and integral part of human nature. Not selfishness as many people see it today; but as Ms. Rand has explained it. One can be helping others and still be selfish, If one is helping because of the good feelings they get when serving, then one could say they are being selfish. Serving in this manner not only shows a sense of self, but it is a better way of life and service. When people help because they want to, it is a better experience for everyone involved. Showing that selfishness is good for

mankind.
Some may say “Ms. Rand went too far in her exaggerated approach to extreme collectivism.” No! Rand did not go far enough in showing the complete devastation that comes when there is no sense of self or individualism. When one has no sense of self or belief in “I” only a knowledge of “we” the individual is no longer an individual, even in their mind. “We, Equality 7-2521, have discovered a new power of nature. And we have discovered it alone, and we are alone to know it” (Anthem 52). While Ayn portrayed not using the word “I” the character, Equality 7-2521, he still felt a sense of self in his thinking true collectivism would have taken that inner feeling out; leaving him with the desire to share his power, he would not have wanted to keep that discovery to himself because he would not even know of himself. Ayn Rand could have, and should have taken her book “Anthem” further, showing absolutely no sense of self.
The zeal and enthusiasm that Rand displays in portraying collectivism and its dangers, goes a long way in getting her point across; she did an exquisite job in portraying her views and beliefs. Ayn’s book shows us the pain inflicted on self because of selflessness. Equality 7-2521’s story shows the necessity of selfishness in the evolution of self as well as in the advancement of human relationships. Individualism is an essential part of life, one must never take for granted the wonder of self.