Imagine waking up in a society where your every action is controlled by your Government. You live to serve only to serve your community; otherwise, you are burdening your society with your body and should be sent away. You spend your days as a street sweeper, sweeping the dusty roads of your community; because this is the job your Government has chosen for you. This is the life lived by Equality 7-2521 in the Dystopian society created by Ayn Rand in her novel Anthem. Throughout Rand's life as a Russian-American novelist, she wrote many philosophical essays exposing her political viewpoints. The ideas espoused in Rand’s essays help to shape Anthem’s society into what she would consider, the opposite of an ideal society. One of the most notable …show more content…
aspects of Anthem’s society, that Rand used to form a dystopian environment, was the fact that everyone lived only to serve their community. Rand makes it clear in her essay on collectivized ethics that in an ideal society, “Only individual men have the right to decide when or whether they wish to help others; society-as an organized political system-has no rights in the matter at all” (“Collectivized Ethics”, ). According to Rand, when a society forces collectivism upon its members, it is, by proxy, taking away their rights. She goes as far to say that “altruism erodes men’s capacity to grasp the concept of rights or the value of an individual life; it reveals a mind from which the reality of a human being has been wiped out” (“Collectivized Ethics”, ). Anthem, Rand's vision of a dystopian society, is completely collectivist. In this society, the main goal of living is to serve the community. The belief among this society was that “if you are not needed by your brother men, there is no reason for you to burden the earth with your bodies” (Anthem, ) The Government had concluded that, considering everyone would work only for their community, the concept of individuality was unimportant. For this reason, no one had individual rights, and the concept of individuality was thrown out completely. Anthem incorporates such an extreme example of an altruist society that people must refer to themselves using the pronoun “we” in the place of “I”. A society such as this, masks the fact that it’s members are essentially slaves to their Government and community. While this is an extreme and unlikely example of a future society, it shows how, according to the objectivist philosophies held by Rand, Anthem’s altruist society is greatly flawed. Through these philosophies, it can be determined that a society of this nature is greatly inferior to its capitalist alternative; where everyone is free to act as an individual. Rand’s concept of an entirely collectivist society also prevents said society from making any advances in science or technology. Rand believes, that “Progress can come only out of men’s surplus, that is: from the work of those men whose ability produces more than their personal consumption requires”(“Collectivized Ethics”, ). This being said, in a society where men only work to serve others, and new ideas must be accepted by everyone, no innovative progress will be made. Ayn Rand uses this philosophy to form Anthem’s society. A society set hundreds of years in the future, but with technology similar to that of the medieval ages. When Anthem’s main character, Equality 7-2521, discovers an old light bulb can be used as an alternative to candles, he presented his idea to the World Council of Scholars. Equality 7-2521’s idea for using light bulbs to light the community was rejected; and he was told, “‘Many men in the Homes of Scholars have had strange new ideas in the past’... ‘but when the majority of their brother Scholars voted against them, they abandoned their ideas, as all men must’” (Anthem, 73). In a society where people abandon the majority of their ideas because the members of their community can simply vote against them, it is understandable that little progress is made. This is the reason for which Rand hates collectivism, even in its simplest form. Collectivism entails the taking of an individual's resources to “better the community”. No matter how desirable it may seem to “better the community”, without sufficient resources, an individual will lack the ability to make progress on their own ideas. Therefore, Rand’s vision of a dystopian society, such as the one in Anthem, is collectivist. The lack of individual progress made in a collectivist society also leads Rand to note that in this type of society, the pursuit of happiness becomes much more difficult. She believes that “Altruism is incompatible with freedom, with capitalism, and with individual rights. One cannot combine the pursuit of happiness with the moral status of a sacrificial animal” (“Man’s Rights”, ). For instance, in an altruist society, you either contribute to the community, or you are worthless. The lack of individuality found within this type of society makes it nearly impossible to find individual happiness. The underlying message in Rand's philosophy is that only things an individual has done on their own should make them happy. Because a collectivist society takes away resources from individuals, it is often times harder for individuals to pursue their individual passions. Therefore, individuals would, according to objectivist philosophies, have a harder time finding happiness in collectivist society. This idea presents itself in Equality 7-2521 when he discovered the light bulb and learned how to use it. His passion was for science, and his discovery brought him joy like he had never felt. He wrote, “the only things which taught us joy were the power we created in our wires... they bear no relation to our brothers, and they do not concern our brothers in any way. Thus do we wonder” (Anthem,) Although Equality 7-2521’s society had taught him that no good could come from individual passions, only things he did by himself had brought him true happiness. For anyone to actively engage in the pursuit of happiness, they must utilize their rights as human beings; rights which can only be suppressed through the use of physical violence. Rand believes that everyone has one fundamental right; the right to their life. All other rights are based on this one right. She noted that “Man's rights can be violated only by the use of physical force. It is only by means of physical force that one man can deprive another of his life, or enslave him, or rob him, or prevent him from pursuing his own goals, or compel him to act against his own rational judgment” (“Nature of government”, ). Essentially, when a person's life is threatened by the use of physical force, all of their rights are suppressed. Similar to most powerful altruistic societies in the past, such as Nazi Germany, Anthem’s society made use of violence as a means to restrict the rights of its citizens. This can be clearly seen when Equality 7-2521 showed his lightbulb to his community's council. They responded in fear, and wanted to know where he found such an object. When Equality 7-2521 would not tell the council where he had been, they employed violence to make him tell. The council ordered, “Take our brother Equality 7-2521 to the Palace of Corrective Detention. Lash them until they tell.” A society that uses force to restrict the rights of its citizens is what Rand describes as an amoral society. In her essay “Man’s Rights”, she describes any society that “stands above moral law, as an omnipotent, sovereign whim worshiper” to be an amoral society. All of these types of societies are, by nature, altruist. Since Rand wanted Anthem’s society to be dystopian, the political system also followed altruist-collectivist ethics. Rand’s philosophy also states that a government's only function should be to protect the rights of its citizens.
Therefore, a government should not involve itself with matters not pertaining to anything besides the protection of its citizens rights. Rand states that “Since the protection of individual rights is the only proper purpose of a government, it is the only proper subject of legislation: all laws must be based on individual rights and aimed at their Protection” (“Nature of government”, ). This philosophy is in direct contrast with the government of Anthem’s society. Since the government in Anthem purely performs on altruistic philosophies, every action performed within the society has its own respective legislation. Equality 7-2521 had found his light bulb in an underground tunnel that his government did not know about. Equality believed that entrance to the hole could not be forbidden because the government did not know about it, but it was pointed out to him that, “Since the Council does not know of this hole, there can be no law permitting to enter. And everything which is not permitted by law is forbidden” (Anthem, ). If everything not permitted by the Council was forbidden, then everything, even things which did not pertain to protection of rights, were legislated upon. A government which legislates upon all does not consider the rights of its citizens. Rand believes this system of government to be greatly flawed. When a flawed government system acts as the core of its society, this society will also be flawed. In the case of Anthem, the primary contributing factor to the Dystopian society was the
government. Using the same ideas espoused in her philosophical essays, Rand was able to shape a fictional society into what she would consider a “perfect dystopian”. Through her essays, it is clear that Rand feels very strongly about her opinions; opinions with real world consequences. By conveying her ideas through Anthem, Rand shows that the altruist societies are not compatible with freedom and rights. Additionally, Anthem acts as a warning; urging future generations to prevent the rise of another altruist society such as communist Russia, which she lived through for the better part of her early life.
Equality 7-2521 aspires to be a self-proclaimed individual. In the novella, Anthem, Ayn Rand discusses of a dystopian society in which every man and women are set equal to each other. Equality is damned by the World Council after a discovery of light and electricity, and a contradictory belief in individualism. Freedom is an essential factor in the happiness of man. Equality is scorned for his different looks, mental competence, and independent beliefs but laughs when he recognizes that he should be glorified for understanding that his perception of life leads to contentment.
Many people seem to get entangled into society's customs. In the novel Anthem, the protagonist, Equality 7-2521, lives a period of his life as a follower. However, Equality eventually, tries to distant himself from his society. He is shaped to be a follower, but eventually emerges in to an individual and a leader. On his journey, he discovers the past remains of his community. Ayn Rand uses Equality's discoveries of self to represent the importance of individuality in a functional society.
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
A captivating novelette in which a man’s priority is to serve only for his brothers, Ayn Rand’s Anthem illustrates a society that has suffered the ghastly consequences of collectivism. She depicts an oppressive culture in which the word “I” is unheard of and men belong to the collective “We.” Men’s lives are determined through the Council of Vocations, a group that maintains a powerful dictatorship by subjugating the public from the beginning of their lives. The idea that “If you are not needed by your brother men, there is no reason for you to burden the earth with your bodies” (Chapter 1) has been forced into average mindset of the vehemently maintained society. In contrast, Rand mocks the totalitarian civilization through the main character Equality. Since he was born, Equality possessed a quick mind and constantly strayed apart from his peers. Through his life, he shows an unwilling behavior to conform not only to his name, but also to the rules of society. After he is found guilty of independent thought, he is sadistically beaten and dragged into the Palace of Corrective Detention, an unguarded jail that castigates the public of their wrongdoings. Shackles are unnecessary as a result of the brainwashed society and their compliance to obey orders, which consequently allows Equality to escape. In a collective society, citizens are denied their inalienable right of individualism, which ultimately eliminates all thoughts of opposition. Through their submission, the presence of their souls vanishes and society deems the collectivist tenet true. The lack of guards and old locks in the Palace of corrective Detention symbolize the evils that result from a collectivist society.
The Society of Anthem is a striking instance of a dystopian society in which daily life is dominated by fear. The society is headed by a group of elders, who attempt to destroy the concept of individuality and promote the idea of collectivism. The society controls all aspects of life including roles and profession, emotions, mating and the freedom of choice. Equality 7-2521 undergoes a transformation that is contrary to the principles of Anthem’s society. In Anthem by Ayn Rand, Prometheus (formerly Equality 7-2521) should not feel guilty when he writes “why the best in me had been my sins and transgressions; and why I had never felt guilt in my sins.” because what he learned about himself over the course of the story.
In a year that remains undefined beneath a small city lit only by candles, a young man is working. He works without the council to guide him and without his brothers beside him. He works for his own purposes, for his own desires, for the dreams that were born in his own steady heart and bright mind. In his society, this is the greatest transgression. To stand alone is to stand groping in the dark, and to act alone is to be shamed by one’s own selfishness. The elegantly simple society that Ayn Rand has created in the novel Anthem has erased all segregation and discrimination by making every man one and the same with those around him; only Equality 7-2521 defies the norm with his ruthless
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
Throughout history, authors have teased their readers with the idea of what the future might bring. Often times these stories are littered with new technology and fascinating theories, but occasionally it is the contrary. In the situation where society has taken a step back, there must be a character to give civilization a kick start. In the novella Anthem, by Ayn Rand, society is bound to collectivism, where everyone relies upon each other to live and learn; but the protagonist, Equality 7-2521, is able to break free from the fear of independence and move toward individualism. During the course of the story, Equality discovers the freedom he can bring himself. Then he realizes his mind is the door to the truth, not society. Finally, Equality recognizes himself as different from the rest of the population. These steps toward individualism are perfectly embodied by three quotes Rand incorporates in her story.
Ayn Rand's Anthem shows us her view of our world united under what seems to be communist rule. For example their view of right and wrong; which Anthem portrays is a system of very strict rules which mainly make sure that everyone is involved in a collective role within the society in this system no one is considered an individual or that they can even think as an individual.
And if the Councils had decreed that you should be a Street Sweeper, how dared you think that you could be of greater use to men than in sweeping the street?" (Rand 71-72). The government controls many aspects of its inhabitant’s lives including diet, marital status, and occupation. In essence, Anthem's collectivist society can be summarized by, "We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, one, indivisible and forever" (Rand
in his world it was believed that ?What was not thought by all men cannot
Throughout the book “Anthem” the city has many rules and controls. Such as, not loving any person over another. Not saying the forbidden word “I”. Not stealing from another. With these rules and controls Ayn Rand created a collective society, but with the idea of a utopian society. The definition of Utopia is “ an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.” The rules and controls listed above and the many more that are in the book “Anthem” describe a society trying to become collective but in a utopian way.
Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem begins with Equality 7-2521, or as he is later known Prometheus, stating, “It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see…and we know that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone” (17). Prometheus lives in what is known as a totalitarian society. In many totalitarian societies, the ability to express oneself is often forbidden and suppressed. This novella contains a society which represents extreme totalitarianism. The rulers of the society, have managed to convince the citizens that selflessness, as well as worship of the word “we”, is the only way to live.