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ayn rand and anthem comparison
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"If a man is not faithful to his own individuality, he can not be loyal to anything" (McKay 1). The book Anthem demonstrates that individuality is key if one is to learn, love, and be oneself. Though the Council says the world is equal, it is in reality unbalanced and unfair because the Council makes all the decisions for the place. The book shows that people become mindless and "machine-like" because of Collectivism. Equality, the protagonist and the one with different ideas, shows that identity is very important to humanity. Throughout the book Anthem, the theme of individuality and one's own identity, shown through Equality's own ideas, love, and ego, are important to show Collectivism's downfalls.
Collectivism’s barriers and obstacles is seen in Equality’s struggles to become independent by having his own thoughts and ideas in a dull world. Equality has his own place that he himself goes to study that belonged to the Unmentionable times and he alone learned many new things. "...In these two years we have learned more than we had learned in the ten years of the Home of Students (Rand 36). From the book, one learns that this is a great sin—to have one's own ideas because all the "brothers" are equal and should have equal thoughts. In reality, this is not true for the place is ruled by Council. For light in his cave he steals candles and to learn her steals manuscripts. "This is a great offense" (Rand). In a totalitarian society, keeping manuscripts and knowledge hidden is always beneficial to the government because the government can control people easier because they do not have the knowledge they have. On his own, Equality is able to make the light bulb. He then goes and brings it to the House of Scholars, ready to share his n...
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... an individual, he has his own ideas, plans, thoughts, and is his own being and is looked down upon because of it. This book shows us that Collectivist societies do not work and they lead to brainless, incompetent people who have no meaning in life. The book's theme of individuality and identity show the downfalls of Collectivism vividly and very well. Throughout the book Anthem, the theme of individuality and one's identity, shown through Equality's own ideas, own love, and own ego, are vital to show Collectivism's faults.
Works Cited
"Robert Green Ingersoll." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2013. 20 December 2013. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/robertgree165227.html "Claude McKay." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2013. 19 December 2013. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/claudemcka390421.html Rand, Ayn. Anthem. New York: Dutton, 1995. Print.
...nthem, she presents a collectivist society in which a man’s inalienable right of individualism has been revoked, which causes the citizens to render their souls to the strong dictatorship. They conform to part of the programmed group referred to as “We” and compromise their desires to accept the collectivist tenet as true. They possess no free thought and are forbidden to have free will. Gradually, they transform to which they need no palpable shackles because their minds are fettered through the deprivation they suffer. However, she uses the main character Equality to break down the binds of society and form his own individual path. Equality’s story to relates to human existence in which men must lead their own lives or suffer the horrid consequences of interdependence and living for society’s sake.
Anthem, by Ayn Rand, is a very unique novel. It encircles individualism and makes the reader think of how people can conform to society and do as they are told without knowing the consequences and results of their decisions. Also, it teaches the importance of self expression and the freedom that comes along with being your own person and having the power to choose what path to take in life. Figurative language is used often in this book and in a variety of quotes that have great importance to the theme, plot, and conflict of the novel.
“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,
In Ayn Rand’s famous, or in some circles, infamous, story Anthem, the differing ideologies of objectivism and collectivism are pit against each other. With objectivism being so tight knit and different from the society in the book, it seems that it would be almost impossible to truly follow in its entirety. However, Anthem, as a whole, doesn’t violate the ideals of Rand’s philosophy of objectivism.
In conclusion, it is shown that Equality 7-2521 makes his journey from a prisoner of collectivism and extreme social dependence to an exclusive freedom. Ayn Rand portrays a society afraid of change, rebellion, and the idea of any singularity at all. Equality first frees himself from the shackles of his brothers, allowing him to be an individual. Next he discovers that he, as one person, can judge the truth, others change the truth the way they want you to understand it. Finally, the reflection of himself in a stream shows Equality that he is not only mentally, but physically different than what seems to be a shapeless society. Ayn Rand conveys the theme of individualism through the development of Equality's ego, he is able to find the importance of one’s self and help society ameliorate itself for years to come.
The word collectivism often makes people cringe. Overall, there is a general fear of not being able to make personal decisions in America. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, collectivism can be defined as; emphasis on collective rather than individual action or identity (“Collectivism”). In Anthem, Ayn Rand describes an extreme collectivist society. Although Anthem’s society seems extremely surreal, aspects of its collectivist society closely mirror today’s society.
Anthem is written in first person plural: the concept of self is rendered void. Collectivism is the belief that the group has a higher priority than each individual. The protagonist says “there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone.” Everyone is expected to be uniform in mind and body. This idea is etched into the soul of every young child. In primary school, children are reprimanded by their teachers if they are in any way different from their peers. For example, the differences could be height or intelligence. In this environment, many scientific developments and new technologies are developed by the Home of the Scholars. The evidence can be seen by the following quote “All the great modern inventions come from the Home of Scholars.” (Rand 23) For example, scholars study the earth to invent the candle, glass, and string. However, the speed of scientific development is slow. And many scholars seem inept at
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.
Anthem is a short novelette written by Ayn Rand in 1937 and vividly expresses the Rand’s beliefs in praising the human being’s ego and rationalism that never changed during her life. From the literary point of view, Anthem could be compared with Neil Peart’s 2112 album as its basis can be observed in the song. Both works show a grim vision of a world of dark ages in the future where their main characters suffer from lack of free choice and struggle to find out their individuality in a fearful and ignorance society. Since there are many similarities between the novel and the song, this paper will compare and discuss the conflicts, discoveries, accomplishments, and the common theme of both works that involve the protagonists in their way to individualism and
“He who loses individuality, loses all” (Good Reads, 2012). This quote said by Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most recognized leaders of the 19th century, can easily be used to acknowledge the importance of a society possessing unique individualistic traits and characteristics as individuality is the fuel needed to run a society. In a world, where even a mere speck of individuality is not present, that society is likely to shatter into utter destruction. Moreover, individuals should possess the ability to embrace their own uniqueness through which they will have the ability to understand distinctive phrases such as that said by William Channing, “no one should part with their individuality and become that of another”. The concept of individuality being vital to society is explored within Caitlin Tom’s essay Individuality vs. Fitting in, the American novel Little Women by Louisa Alcott, and the romantic yet empowering dramatic film Jane Eyre. The concept presented in these three works portrays how it the essence of individuality is a fundamental component for society as it aids with the recognition of societal barriers, allows the ability to empower change, and permits appreciation of the invoked change.
Equality’s internal conflict throughout Anthem provides an obstacle in their quest for freedom. The detail creates their outcast archetype and helps create the powerful ending that closes the novel. In a world of conformity, Equality managed to find their own individuality, their own
In the society which the characters live in, individuality is forbidden and collectiveness is absolute. Throughout the course of the story, the main character is propelled forward into finding his own individual personality, separate from the dull hive mind of the rest of the City. Anthem stresses the importance of the individual while urging readers to be mindful of the dangers of a collective, mindless society that fears
While Equality and Liberty take a hike in the Uncharted Forest Equality reflects on what he was taught back in his society as being one and not caring for your life, but the lives of their brothers, this is another realization he encounters of collectivism striping away his indivduality and joy. “If this is the great evil of being alone, then what is good and what is evil Everything which comes from many is good Everything which comes from one is evil This have we been taught with our first breath.” While walking in the forest Equality trips, falls, rolls, and then begins to laugh, this is his moment of joy. “Then our body, losing all sense, rolled over and over on the moss...And we heard laughing as if there were no power left in us save laughter.” While reading the manuscripts Equality comes across the word “I” for the very first time in his life, and for the first time he speaks as one person instead of two or more. “It is my will which chooses, and the choice of my will is the only edict I must respect.” Equality comes to the realization that collectivism takes away individuality and
His discovery of the word, “I”, helps him to understand that he is one individual and does not have to be controlled by anyone else. The Virtue of Selfishness, from Ayn Rand, truly describes this first step Equality takes towards autonomy by saying, “The first step is to assert man’s right to a moral existence — that is: to recognize his need of a moral code to guide the course and the fulfillment of his own life. . . .” In the context of Anthem, one can take this quote to mean that man, more specifically, Equality, deserves to have full control over himself and his actions. Equality realizes this during what could be considered the most climactic point in the novel: “Many words have been granted me, and some are wise, and some are false, but only three are holy: ‘I will it!’” At this moment, Equality takes responsibility for himself and therefore rejects the morals of the society he was raised in. He embraces an individualistic point of view where he and only he is responsible for the path his life takes. The United States of America shares a similar view by encouraging young people to take control of their own lives and shape their own