Use Of Objectivism In Anthem, By Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand uses objectivism in her writing to demonstrate the collectivist idea about society. Objectivism is Rand's philosophy in which she believes, or according to the philosophy, that everyone in this world has the opportunity to become rich as long as they take a chance. It's not about being a whole, but, about being an individual.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia on February 2nd, 1905, and died on March 6th, 1982 in New York, New York, Ayn Rand is a source of inspiration for many who read her novels. She decided to become an author at the age of 9, and after her American History course in high school, she developed the idea on what she thought a free man was and opposed the Russian way of doing things (also experienced the Kerensky Revolution

and Bolshevik). Later in life she met and married as married Frank O'Conner, whom she was married to for 50 years until his death in 1979.
Rand disagreed heavily on the use of the government and because of this she supported the Kerensky Revolution who tried to get rid of the government in her country at that time. The Bolshevik Revolution wasn't supported by Rand due to the fact that this is when the Communist Party came into power and since she disagreed with the need for a government, she did not support this movement. During 1926, Rand was given permission to leave Soviet Russia to visit her relatives. She took this opportunity to escape from her home where she lived with her family in America for a period of time till she was able to fend for herself. Moving from Chicago to Hollywood Rand was given the job as a extra and then soon a a script reader. A week after this was when she met actor Frank O'Conner whom she married 3 years after. She took part in many other jobs before eventually selling her first screenplay in 1932 called Red Pawn. After then, in 1934 she finished her first book We The Living; however, she was turned away numerous times until 1936, when a publishing company finally chose to put out her work.
Although, with all the fame she built, she also built some criticism as well. For example, Paul Wilks from The Future Fire Reviews is a feminist reviewer who states: “The anti-feminism within this novel is disappointing because unlike most dystopian novels from the early part of the twentieth century Anthem was written by a woman.”, even so, his view on her writing might be a bit bias since he is a feminist enthusiast. He might feel, as many other feminist would, that Rand’s usage of the pronouns: ‘he/his, man/men, and brother(s)’, is sexist and that women should be included. In such one would assume he means Rand should’ve used pronouns like: ‘they, them and their’, instead.
Moving on from Wilks, is reviewer Jules.

Through out the review, Jules states very clearly that; “...the book could be hard to understand for a without any knowledge of the topics discussed in Anthem.”, in which they moved on to say that “Rand isn’t for everyone.” The novel in question is easy to be seen as written for those who lived or learn about the 1930’s―not necessarily that people of this generation wouldn’t understand, but that it would be harder for them to relate to the characters in the story. Rand’s work is philosophical, of course, and in fact that could be the very reason why her writing has inspired

others.
Nicholas McGinnis is yet another reviewer, who spoke mainly about the downfall to Rand philosophy. In the review he gave of Anthem, he states how professional scholars don’t see the power of Rand’s writing as others do. These professionals even state that in their ‘world’, Rand is often laughed at when talked about and how because of her failed philosophy, she isn’t taught in classrooms often. Ayn Rand herself likes to say that her philosophy is based strictly on reason, but, the academics say that the conditions behind this philosophy are very specific: “...drawn from this ‘morality’ are surprisingly specific: a minimal government, for instance, which enforces no minimum wage law, operates no schools, collects no taxes…” To which they might as; ‘What exactly is the government, then?’
Anthem is a fiction novel that expresses the idea of freedom and being able to make something of yourself on your own. Rand names the characters things that represents freedom (i.e., Equality). The main character, Equality 7–2521, is used to represent men and how they attempt to make a living. Ayn Rand appears to be stressing the need of self success to others. Additionally, this adds the emotion of focus in confidence, in which the characters of her story display. Ayn Rand gives the name Equality to the group of men in the story to further show that having focus and confidence can lead to success. Rand writes; "Our name is Equality 7–2521, as it is written on the iron bracelet which all men wear on their left wrists with their name upon it." Equality means to come together with fairness, thus the 72,521 men fighting for their freedom.
"We fought against the curse...we looked upon Union 5–3992...we tried to say and do as they did." In my next example, the quote from Equality 7–2521, they talk about how they wish to be like Union 5–3992 and just blend in. They discuss their urge to be the same as who the Teachers praise. Regardless of this, they soon realize what good it is to stand out and do things for themselves. Rand shows how one group of people can be different and break away from that one sided look society has. "And in these two years we have learned more than we had learned in the ten years of Home of the Students." Taking it upon themselves to learn about the world, Equality 7–2521 further becomes independent.
Lastly, Equality has now realized that if they wish to succeed, they must drop the 'we' and become 'I'. "I am done with the monster of 'We, ' the word of seldom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood and shame." The phrase 'I' was something no one said as they looked out for more than just themselves. Whereas, success stems from your own doing not a group of people. If Objectivism is the philosophy that each person has a chance to become something, Rand exemplifies this in her writing just through the 'eyes' of Equality 7–2521. As Equality has said; "At first man was enslaved by the gods. But he broke their chains." Simply put, a judge or government doesn't decide your fate—you do.
The Fountainhead as reviewed by Scott Young begins with; “There are many parts with the books I agreed wholeheartedly and other areas where I believe Rand has made errors in reasoning.” He then moved on to talk about how he feels about Howard Roark as the main character, Young finds Roark to be a man who is unable to express what he sees to others, but then changes this opinion later and finds Roark to be someone who doesn’t speak just because he wants to become popular. Young brings up one of the points he says changed because of the book that being that ‘you can’t think with another person’s brain’—whereas in Anthem the men acted as a group, you should be able to think for yourself because you are you, not anyone else. Despite all of the praise Young gives her, he has also talked about some flaws to the philosophy Rand has come up with. For example, he says how Rand puts herself in a position where you either agree with her 1000% or you’re considered irrational and ‘straying from the truth’, as he phrased it. He even goes as far as to compare Rand’s way of thinking to that of a cult in the simplest sense.
Contrasting the difference of opinion from Scott Young, is Timothy McSweeney’s take on The Fountainhead. As he said in the article posted on his website, “Reading this book is a lot like climbing a mountain. It is difficult to begin and requires a lot of willpower to continue...You consistently find yourself on the verge of quitting, but if you make it―WHAT A VIEW!!!” McSweeney describes The Fountainhead as a journey that’s tiring, but, an experience well worth the long hours of reading. “It is rare that one can sit down, for pleasure, read a book, for pleasure, and accidentally fumble upon a set of views that challenge those previously held.” He is one of the people who have been inspired by Rand’s work and will, most likely, continue to express his fondness for her work with others.
Suchandra Ganguly, explains the character development in The Fountainhead as a work of fiction that centers around the characters and their conflicts in life.

He praises the book by saying how; “It will enlighten you about the human parasites/second-handers. Also, it unmasks those who are hell bent on killing the spirit of individualism and want to empower mediocrity because individualism promotes the genius of human mind and mediocrity kills that genius.” meaning how the words of Rand in the novel brings light to the way we treat others and to those who can so easily steer someone away from their path by, for example. belittling them. Ganguly says that the only downfall to Rand’s work is the length of it as it can be time consuming and a challenge for some to grasp the concept of it

entirely.