What Is The Role Of Collectivism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

During the 1950s, Soviet Russia tried to establish communism in many other countries in the world. The communist ideology instilled in Russia during the 1950s had a large influence on Ayn Rand’s depiction of Anthem’s society with the doctrine of collectivism. The novella shows a society in which everyone is under the control of a group of people who live only to serve others, and no one can do anything that would defy the collectivist beliefs. This community teaches its children to only use pronouns such as“we” and “our”, and separates its people from others who may be different than them. The main character, Equality, falls victim to these collectivist beliefs. Only until he was rejected by the World Council after announcing his discovery

of light which he worked on alone, did he realize how corrupt and unfair this form of government is. In Ayn Rand’s novella, Anthem, the manipulation of language enforces collectivist doctrine in its society by stripping the people of their identity and individualism using the naming system, by enforcing pronouns that emphasizes on collectivism, and by establishing moral guilt for dissenters through the mix of religion and law.
The manipulation of language enforces collectivism in its society by giving people names that take away the individuality of one’s identity. Names are known for distinguishing people from each other and are a way to stand out in a crowd of people as well as aid in establishing individual identities. In Anthem’s society, names are given that do not represent nor say anything about their owner and it is established that “it is a sin to give men names which distinguish them from other men” (Rand 52). Names that distinguish from other people are being thought as immoral and not right. The word “sin” gives people the feeling of wrong. When people find giving distinct names to others a wrong, it allows the government to enforce collectivism and unity in extreme ways. Additionally, when Equality escapes his town and finds books including other forms of literature and discovers that “there was a time when each man had a name of his own to distinguish him from all other men. So let us choose our names" (160). Knowing that in the past, people had the opportunity to be named in such a way where it was unique and distinguished people from others shows that the society is fairly new and the collectivist ways are new as well. Taking away something such as a name from someone takes away the distinction between everyone and takes away individuality. The name change and the ability to choose their own name shows the change from collectivism and conformity to choosing to separate themselves from their society’s uniform and thinking for themselves. This was not possible before considering the community's choice to abolish this. Thus, collectivism was enforced through the naming system of the society.
Anthem’s use of language enforces the views of collectivism in its society by prohibiting the use of pronouns that only focus on the identity of one versus that of a collectivist.

Whether it be speaking or writing, word choice is important to those listening or readings they can understand what the context is. Choosing the right wording can be crucial within a phrase. Pronouns establish who or what is the topic of the conversation, therefore “the word ‘We’ must never be spoken, save by one’s choice and as a second thought.” (155). The word we describes a group of people and will always refer to a group of people. Forcing people to use only pronouns that is usually only referring to more than one person serves as a constant reminder that the main priority will be everyone’s needs and not just one person’s needs. Within this world of uniform and collectivism, teaching its people to use certain words and refusing to teach others is key to drill in communist views. This puts tight restrictions with conversations and thoughts, not being able to express what is truly being said. Such boundaries are so restricting “the word ‘We’ is as lime poured over men, which sets and hardens to stone, and crushes all beneath it, and that which is white and that which is black are lost equally in the grey of it” (156). Creating this form of restriction around speech and words limit what is trying to be said. People cannot vocally express their thoughts and desires without having to use “we”

which ends up crushing the meaning of what is being expressed. All meaning and significance of the statement or phrase is lost and erased and the genuinity of it all falls apart. Allowing such things to happen give way for the community to avoid any large rebellion from the people, giving collectivism and communism the chance to grow stronger. Hence the type of pronouns used enforces collectivist views in the society by creating restrictions in their speech, specifically those that do not represent unity.
Using religious terminology for things that are illegal or are frowned upon in Anthem’s society is another way in which language is exploited to enforce collectivist ideals.

Religion says a lot about someone’s virtues and morals. It unites people over a belief and allows connections to be made. Religious terminology gives the obligation and provides the rules of life. Depending on context, religious wording can make something seem like a bigger power, or it can make things seem as abominations to life and pure evil, such as the “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. It is base and evil.” (10). The word evil has the power to change people’s morals and change their belief. Everyone was raised in a way where if they were different it is unfair making them also evil. This fear of being “evil” stops anyone from defying the collectivist doctrine because of such negative, yet powerful words. Furthermore, religious acts often involve prayer. People unite in order for them to pray in unison. Something like prayer allows for unity and can also allow collectivism to take place. This reminds the people what is vital and mandatory to live in this sort of society. They are taught that “We are nothing. Mankind is all. By the grace of our brothers are we allowed our lives. We exist through, by and for our brothers who are the State. Amen.” (18). The first part of this prayer, “we are nothing” signifies

individual people are not worth enough considering their views on unity and the team concept. The prayer also acts as a reminder that thoughts about self worth is a bad concept and if it doesn’t have to do with the community as a whole, it is not worth the thought. The people serve each other, coinciding with the laws of communism for example, all property is owned by the community as a whole and all people are equal in status and wealth. Consequently, religious word choices enforce collectivist ideas with things that are illegal or not considered normal in Anthem.
Anthem’s use of words promotes communist doctrines with religious terms that allows the society laws to become more about morals, by using specific pronouns that eliminate any form of vanity, as well as names that takes away individuality for those in this society. Ayn Rand’s word choice define the collectivist views within Anthem society, allowing for more of a clearer picture of what kind of place this is and how it is run. The names given to each person not only prevents people from standing out or being unique, it takes away any opportunity of thoughts that support individualism. Furthermore, the specific pronouns that are only known in their form of speech limit the opportunities to talk about self appreciation. Such pronouns are held as chains around their thoughts and further promotes the idea of unity and collectivism. Besides their speech, religious terms discourage people from straying away communist ideas. Specific terms such as the word “sin” and the prayer like anthem that is recited reminds them of what are the rules and obligations of communism is and turns these doctrines into morals. Anthem shows its audience the actual effects of extreme collectivism, which having such an extreme form of collectivism leads to a factory-like society, where everyone must help each other, not themselves.