Prometheus. The protector and benefactor of mankind. The one who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans. Equality 7-2521. A simple street sweeper who has a new vision of the human race. The one who reinvented electricity and wants to gift it to his brothers and brethren. Though one (Prometheus) has succeeded in being a benefactor, the latter has a burning passion to help his brothers. Both oppressed, both used; and yet the bravest. In her dystopian novella, Anthem, Ayn Rand illustrates that those who are the most used and oppressed are the bravest through the actions taken by Prometheus, the documents unearthed by Prometheus, and the spirit burning within Prometheus.
Firstly, as we follow Equality 7-2521 throughout the story, we hear
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his thoughts and acknowledge his debatable actions. One of the particular events that sparked an uprising was when Equality unsheathed the unknown and foreign power of electricity. In the society that Equality grew up in, they have only used natural resources to power the technology in their times. However, Equality discovered this source of power when he was dissecting a frog on a copper wire. Since then, Equality has always been fascinated with this energy source. He was so curious that he often stole materials to construct this unthinkable powersource. Unfortunately, one night, he was sent to the Palace of Corrective Detention, for he had been caught sneaking out. Tortured and belittled, Equality held his raging emotions in and neared the pain and punishment. On the night before the Council of Scholars met, he escaped. He wanted to behold his great invention to the Council of Scholars; he wanted to redeem himself. Furthermore, Equality claimed that “it was easy to escape from the Palace of Corrective Detention” since the locks are old and there are no guards present (Rand 66). By defying against the Council and furthermore escaping from the Palace of Corrective Detention, this clearly illustrates how brave and determined Equality is. Equality is constantly belittled and mocked upon by those superior. Oppressed, he dared to testify against the great Council. However, he proved himself as dauntless and audacious. Equality may be torn down, physically, but that doesn't stop him from fighting the ongoing battle of finding his true self. Furthermore, once Equality 7-2521 and Liberty 3-5000 fled to the Uncharted Forest, Rand then establishes that Equality has uncovered the secrets of the Unmentionable times. Originally, it was just Equality that was banished into the unknown territory of the Uncharted Forest. However, it has been later revealed that Liberty fled to elope with Equality. Astray and addled, the pair trudged forward in the unmarked territory, unbeknownst of what would lie ahead. The duo hunted and slept, caring and depending on each other. Luckily for them, they happened to stumble upon a house built from the Unmentionable Times. Rummaging through the house, Equality unearthed numerous documents from the time period. There, he “understood the blessed thing which [he] had called [his] curse” (Rand 98). Equality claimed that “it was when [he] read the first of the books [he] found in [his] house that [he] saw the word ‘I’ ” (Rand 98). And solemnly, he “wept in deliverance and in the pity for all mankind” for they will never know the true empowering freedom that the word “I” can give someone. By finding the word “I” and beholding such a power, this has shown that Equality proves himself as a bold and brave man. He has proven to be brave by overcoming the devil within him. Equality is constantly fighting this internal battle, for he does not know if he had felt guilt in his presumed sins. But now, he understood that his “sins” are not really sins, but really the qualities that are the best in him. And for this, he is brave. For this, he is dauntless. Moreover, Rand illustrates that Equality is courageous, by not only through his actions, but his burning spirit within as well.
We have followed Equality throughout his life; from the very beginning of his rebellious nature to the end. We followed him when he was an adolescent learning the basics, when he was put as a street sweeper, when he he fell utterly into a state of limerence for Liberty, when he testified against the Council, when he was lashed and whipped, and when he ran off to the Uncharted Forest. We saw it all. And now, we no longer know an Equality 7-2521 nor do we know a Liberty 3-5000. Now, they are Prometheus: a man who stole the light of the gods and gave it to men; and Gaea: a goddess “who was the mother of the Earth and of all the gods” (Rand 99). Prometheus’ future may be unclear and bleak, but he does know one thing. He will teach his son to be an individual man, a man who is bound to no ruler. Furthermore, the spirit burning within him will continue giving back to mankind for “[Prometheus] and [his] sons and [his] chosen friends shall build [their] new land and [their] new fort” (Rand 104). But, he will also continue working until “the day will come when [he] shall break all the chains of the earth, and raze the cities of the enslaved, and [his] home will become the capital of a world where each man will be free to exist for his own sake” (Rand 104). With this strong mindset and power that Prometheus feels, he has finally broken the chains that had …show more content…
tied him down from experiencing such an individual sense of identity. But now, he will start a new revolution, one that could change all of mankind. Through this burning passion and desire, Prometheus is easily indicated as lionhearted and fearless. For he, who had been spat upon and disparaged, still had the spirit and motivation to continue the battle for freedom. Prometheus later on explains that “the coming of that day shall I fight, I and my sons and my chosen friends. For the freedom of Man. For his rights. For his life. For his honor” (Rand 104). By this quote, it is indicated that Prometheus feels a sense of identity and responsibility, for he will bring mankind to glory. And for this, he will unravel as a hero; a spirited, passionate, and audacious hero. In the final analysis, Rand has illustrated how Prometheus, formerly known as Equality 7-2521, is quite the rambunctious and valiant person; even if he had been persecuted and mistreated by the superiors.
Prometheus had been lashed and abused numerous times, yet he still dared to disobey. He broke the law; that is why he had been ill-treated and held as prisoner. And yet, he defied another law. Prometheus escaped the prison; he had now blatantly broken two laws. Prometheus continues challenging the Council, for now he had lost count of how many laws. Law by law, he continues to disobey. However, this has all been left behind once Prometheus had entered the Uncharted Forest with Gaea. From that point on, they have left behind their past society and the hardships that came with it. In a surprising turn of events, they stumbled upon a house and in that house contained sacred documents from the Unmentionable Times. Those documents, the scriptures that have contained the words “I” and not “We”, have begun a new era for Prometheus. By learning that the word “I” can give one such an identity and freedom, it felt liberating for Prometheus. He became stronger, bolder, and braver. For there is no longer an equal “We”, but an individual “I”. It is no longer “We think”, but rather “I think”. And for this, he wept. By unearthing this spectacular discovery, he continued to become empowered and spirited. He suddenly had a rush of adrenaline and wanted to preach about this wonderful concept
of individuality. For he will spread awareness and tell his brethren and brothers of this discovery. He will reclaim mankind and all of its glory. He will take back this once imprisoned self-identity and release it from its long awaited renewal. For the glory of his brothers, the glory of his sisters, and the glory of his children. This passion and bravery will not go away, for he is determined for the day of judgement and revenge. Though oppressed and seen as feckless, Prometheus will live up to his name; the protector and benefactor of mankind. The name “Equality 7-2521” is no longer, but rather a distant memory. The name “Prometheus” will continue its saga of being mankind’s protector and patron.
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.
...e the instruction of their dishonest city and directed Equality to the finding of the largest part of the human strength, egoism. “Ego” is the forbidden word that The Transgressor of the Unspeakable Word suffered from. He was burned alive because he was one of little that knew what individualism was. Prometheus and Gaea modernized this human race for centuries and initiated a new kind of success and advancement. Equality and Liberty will make a society that could possibly help the planet for the creation of light by rejoicing the individual human spirit, a thing to be set free, not restrained and crushed out of terror. Their discoveries put to rest the corrupt preaching of selflessness and humility in favor of the truly moral philosophies of freedom and, in fact, selfishness. Those are the reasons that Ayn Rand named Equality, Prometheus, and Liberty, Gaea.
Equality eventually escapes from the place that never felt like home, and runs off with his love, Liberty 5-300, who he calls the Golden One. After learning about the men from the Unmentionable Times, Equality would agree with Ayn Rand’s words in her short essay, “How Does One Lead a Rational Life in an Irrational Society?”, where she not only talks about the importance of having moral judgment, but also about being brainwashed by your leaders and government. Equality can relate because, for his whole life, he was in a society where their version of wrong and right were opposites to what they should have been. Individualism and moral judgement weren't encouraged, they were prevented, and that is where the society became irrational.
One day, Equality is supposed to be in the theater, but he is not there. Consequently, Equality is imprisoned to the Palace of Corrective Detention. Oddly, the prison does not have many restrictions, so easily Equality escapes. After his departure, he goes directly to the Council of Scholars, which is where a group of people have a job to gain more intelligence. Intentionally, Equality goes here because he wants to reveal his new discovery of electricity to the scholars. In effect, they denounce him for carrying out a discovery because it is contradicting to the laws of their society. After this happens, Equality bolts to the Uncharted Forest, he begins to actualize that people should live as individuals instead of one group. Liberty follows Equality and, eventually, catches up to him. In the Uncharted Forest, they find a sublime house on top of a mountain. Once they examine the house, Equality and Liberty decide to live in it. Uninhibited, they develop a more profound relationship along with a newly-founded liberated life. As an individual, Equality wants to free the people of his society and eventually begin his own. Equality says, "We matter not, nor our transgression. It is only our brother men who matter. Give no thought to us, for we are nothing, but listen to our words, for we bring you a gift such as has never been brought to men. Listen to us, for we hold the future of mankind in our hands" (70; ch. 7). Equality's life dramatically changes as he extends his life as a
“For the coming of that day shall I fight, I and my sons and my chosen friends. For the freedom of Man. For his rights. For his life. For his honor.”(page 104). In the novella Anthem by, Ayn Rand, the main character Equality, fought for a way to be himself and help mankind. Rand clearly made Equality’s primary motivation joining The Council of Scholars as a creator, and through the course of two years, due to Equality conducting experiments in all of his spare time until he discovers a method of harnessing the power of electricity to use it to light the community. Equality confirms the right to his motivation. What was Equality’s primary motivation, is he right to be motivated in this way, and what would the world be like if everyone was
“For I know what happiness is possible to me on Earth. And my happiness needs no higher aim to vindicate it” (Rand 95). In this part of the novella, Equality, the narrator, is aware that he can find his own happiness and he should show it once it is found. Throughout the novella, Anthem written by Ayn Rand, Equality is trying to find himself in a society full of equals. As he discovers the tunnel, Equality creates a light bulb in which he wants to flaunt upon the people of his society. Subsequently, when it is rejected by the Council, he hides in the forest from those who see him as a betrayer. Equality tries to find himself in a collectivist society that he knows he does not belong in, in which he evolves. The author believes in objectivism,
Prometheus’ lack of guilt towards his transgressions and sins are due to his discovery of individualism and free will. “I am. I think. I will.” (Rand 94) are words that Prometheus cites after he discovers the word “I” in Chapter 11. This declaration represents his understanding of his own individuality and his understanding that he was created to think. The beginning section of this quote illustrates his struggle with accepting himself as an individual while the second section of the quote shows his ability to reason for himself. The third section of the quote, “I will” shows his ability to act on his thoughts/reasons. The society considers this belief to be a sin; for the society promotes the idea of collectivism, and it is forbidden to speak the unmentionable word known as “I”. Throughout his life, Equality 7-2521 referred to himself and others as “we” due to the society’s intolerance of individualism and the support of collectivism.
In the book Anthem by Ayn Rand, Prometheus is a man who must overcome his collective society to find himself. Prometheus is born into a society where everything is equal. Without concern for consequences, he loves a woman and looks and discovers knowledge of the past. After his discovery is rejected he flees to the forest, and his lover follows. In the forest is where he finds the meaning of the word I. There is where he says "... we crushes all beneath it, and that which is white and that which is black are lost in the gray of it," he talks about what his society did to the differences of man, after he had run away. After Prometheus finds the house he says, "My happiness needs no higher aim to vindicate it. My happiness is not the means to any end. It is the end," which means his happiness is special and achieving this happiness is his final goal. Lastly, "I am, I think, I will," is the final sign that Prometheus has acknowledged himself as one being. Prometheus' quotes show that his emergences from his past, longing for happiness and realizing that he is a being make Prometheus the...
Each one believed that the other one was committing blasphemy. Ayn Rand clearly portrays Prometheus as the protagonist, but she is not the only one who believes that Prometheus’ philosophy is correct. The United States’ Constitution is a document which was written to outline and sanctify the rights of individuals in our country. For example, the First Amendment guarantees that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech” (Amend. I.
Why can a plant not grow in the shade? When a population is kept in the dark, no progress is made. One example of a community kept in ignorance is from the novella Anthem by Ayn Rand, a place where there is total control by the government. This technology deprived world insinuates that science and technology can spur rebellion, division, and change, showing that technological progress develops from the freedom of oppression.
The beginning of the story opens with Equality being chastised because he is too tall and too smart. He noticed that “to be free, a man must be free of his brothers” (Rand 101). This quote shows that when society controls him, and he relies on everyone else, a lack of progress is inevitable. Even the higher powers control their city with aggressive strength; the Council of Vocations assigns Equality to be a street sweeper even though he wants to be a scholar. Out of curiosity, he finds a tunnel while on duty. He begins to write about himself, even though “it is a sin to think words no others are to see” (Rand 1). Having no obligation to others allows one to work towards their own goals, Equality is able to pass his previous instinct where “all men are one” (Rand 20). With the revelation of himself as being a separate indiv...
A general theme of Anthem is the act of knowledge confinement. Prometheus showed his glass box to the World Council because he believed that he had found his knowledge and wanted to show it off to the world. The World Council served as his stepping stone on his quest to find knowledge and to answer his questions. Solidarity 8-1164 stated “ Many men in the Homes of the 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." What Prometheus later fo...
Equality invented something that no ones ever seen before. He built something to make a difference in society and to brighten the world, light. Light is what he invented and it was a miracle when it worked. Another similarity between Equality and Prometheus was their sacrifices for their values. No matter what circumstances they both went through, they stuck with it and did not give up because they believed that they could make a difference in society. They did not want to give up because it was something that they believed they could do to make the world a better place for themselves and others. All though Prometheus was punished by Zeus for all time. Equality knew that if he was discovered he would be punished for what he invented but he didn’t care if he got punished or not. When Equality brought his invention to the C...
As one reads Ayn Rand’s significant quotes from the story of anthem, there is always a main theme that is trying to escape, just as Prometheus escaped in her story. All three of the listed quotes work as a trio to sing that We; as society, works to defeat individuality. The quotes emphasize that we cannot survive without individualism and being alone brings out our unique personalities. It is true that all the quotes work as one, but at the same time they have their own individualism. Each quote holds a purpose of its own and the author wants to express the quote to each persons understanding.