The Theme Of Individuality In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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What if a world existed where individuality is punished and conformity is praised? In Anthem by Ayn Rand, that idea is more like reality. Citizens follow a precise schedule, very specific laws, and are punished for any sliver of defiance. Equality, the story’s narrator, defies the laws of “Anthemville”, but is able to evade severe punishment by leaving the city. With Equality leaving society in ruins, one would assume Anthem is a story of despair and weakness, but in fact, it is a story of hope and freedom. The Saint of the Pyre shows how Anthem is a story of hope and freedom. The Saint of the Pyre shows no fear as he is punished for his transgression of the Unspeakable Word while citizens “[scream] and [spit] curses [at him]” by keeping his face “the calmest and happiest” in the square (50). The Saint of the Pyre shows that the pain of his punishment does not come close to the amount of pride he …show more content…

The Uncharted Forest gives Equality a space mull over all he has been through. “Everything which comes from the many is good. Everything which comes from one is evil. Thus we have taught with our first breath. We have broken the law, but we have never doubted it. Yet now, as we walk through the forest, we are learning to doubt” (85-86). Equality starts to doubt the ways of the council and develops his own laws to live by. After spending time in the Uncharted Forest, Equality discovers that it is impossible to keep a man from learning to be an individual. A man will always overpower who or what is trying to control them (104). Equality has matured enough to realize that all the steps taken by the world council to prevent individuality were useless because if the citizens tried hard enough, defying the laws would be easy. The Uncharted Forest gave Equality a place to come to terms with all that he has done and all he has yet to accomplish, which proves Anthem is a story of hope and

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