According to Ayn Rand and her book the Anthem, Having a collectivistic society is a big problem and the world is better off with an individualistic thinking society. I disagree with Ayn Rands’ thoughts to argue that with free thinking what has ever changed? There’s always a discrepancy between freedom of speech and freedom in general but rather are the rules being made by these individualist that Ayn Rand spoke of the cause of more good than evil for the entire society.
In the book the Anthem Ayn Rand tried to show the effects of an individualistic mind living in a collectivistic society. The story revolves around equality who is a street sweeper who wants to become a scholar which is the highest class of the society. But in this society the
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In the story there were many instances that Equality used thoughts outside of the society. “But we loved the Science of Things we wished to know”. We wished to know about all the things which make the earth around us. “We asked so many questions that the Teachers forbade it. (1.21)”. In this society the council didn’t want anyone outside of them to know anything to keep them under control and bring chaos to a society. If you go back into the story even when equality was beaten for not telling he was contempt because he thought he had a chance to join the council. Ayn Rand did a great job telling this story, she told the story of hope and freedom that the idea of what individualism can bring to an individual. In the Anthem Equality was the single person in the society that wanted better for himself and others after finding the tunnel. He risked his life to sneak to the tunnel every day to study their while others in the society just did what they were told. Equality was a street sweeper the lowest rank of the society treated like garbage by the higher ranks. But Equality always stayed humble and respectful to the lower and higher ranks. He thought with the invention he discovered he had intellect and power to climb the ranks and become a council member. But after all his efforts the council rejected and even tried to destroy the invention Equality ran away and found a better …show more content…
When you delve deep into the situation you could think that Equality was somewhat selfish. In the story it was said that the society used candles and wicks to make light for the society. When Equality brought the light bulb invention to the council meeting they explained to him the years of planning and paperwork that had to be done before they could even accept the candle and wick invention to become available to use. Also saying that how much of the candles and wicks had been in production already and even how many more years it would take for the lightbulb to be discussed as the new form of light. Was it right for Equality to even go rogue on the society if he really wanted to help his brothers and sisters? Equality escaped during the biggest event of the society there had to be repercussions for his escape. When Equality escaped from jail there were no guards watching the door so he was able to leave and go back to prepare for the meeting. But when you escape in front of the people who control the society who seen that the lower ranks can think for themselves they had to expand their security and even enslave the lower ranks since they already choose who they have kids with. So Equality becoming an individualistic helped him capture his dream but in the end it may have threaten the people that he cared about. Now this is the big question to ask when referring to the story. If Equality never would’ve
Equality 7-2521 aspires to be a self-proclaimed individual. In the novella, Anthem, Ayn Rand discusses of a dystopian society in which every man and women are set equal to each other. Equality is damned by the World Council after a discovery of light and electricity, and a contradictory belief in individualism. Freedom is an essential factor in the happiness of man. Equality is scorned for his different looks, mental competence, and independent beliefs but laughs when he recognizes that he should be glorified for understanding that his perception of life leads to contentment.
Equality expresses his love for science and aspiration to be a Scholar throughout the book and talks of how he wished to be sent to the Home of Scholars so badly his hands trembled under the blankets at night and he had to bite his arm just to stop the pain of wanting something so much (Rand 24). To want something so badly and have to conceal it everyday with no one to share it with is a very difficult thing for someone to have to do. Equality also struggled with concealing his friendship,“International 4-8818 and we are friends. This is an evil thing to say, for it is a transgression, the Great Transgression of Preference, to love any among men better than the others, since we must love all men and all men are our friends.” (Rand 30). It is impossible to not prefer one person more than the other, which is why all the men are afraid to defy their leaders by committing a transgression such as this. Equality knows he has a connection with International 4-8818, but he has to once again hide his emotions, and only know in his heart that they are friends. Later on in Anthem, Equality takes notice of a beautiful woman named Liberty 5-3000, who he immediately falls head over heels for, which is a transgression. “We stood still; for the first time did we know fear, and then pain. And we stood still that we might not spill this pain more precious than pleasure.” (Rand 39). Equality cannot even pursue the
Many people seem to get entangled into society's customs. In the novel Anthem, the protagonist, Equality 7-2521, lives a period of his life as a follower. However, Equality eventually, tries to distant himself from his society. He is shaped to be a follower, but eventually emerges in to an individual and a leader. On his journey, he discovers the past remains of his community. Ayn Rand uses Equality's discoveries of self to represent the importance of individuality in a functional society.
“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
At this point in the novel Equality does accept the moral teachings of his society. He doesn’ feel shame When Equality and his friend find the hidden tunnel from the past, they knew that they probably shouldn’t explore it, but they do it anyway because curiosity is purely human nature and sometimes you just have to go with your instincts rather than what other people say for you to do.
“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,
Ayn Rand wrote Anthem as a critique of Communism, yet along with that she demonstrated her own belief system of individual ideals. Objectivism was aptly shown throughout the entire novella with the thoughts and actions of the main characters, Equality and Liberty in contrast with the universal thought of the city and society. Rand clearly showed her philosophy well in this story.
Ayn Rand, a contentious woman, the new favorite author to multiple people’s list. People who have read her magnificent book, Anthem, understand how exquisite and meaningful her words are. Books like Anthem are worth reading because it gives the reader more knowledge about controversial topics and it takes the reader to experience new places and new adventures. Equality, the main character, is a symbol. He represents many people today, living in countries like his society. Equality has to find his true identity first before helping the others. People are not allowed to believe in individualism, they should not have a identity of their own. Each person has a monotone routine to follow every single day of their lives. Each step a person takes
Ayn Rand’s Anthem is a politically satirical novel set in a future society that is so highly collectivized that the word “I” has been banned. The world is governed by various councils who believe that man’s sole reason for existence is to enforce the Great Truth “that all men are one and that there is no will save the will of all men together” (Rand, 20). Any indication of an individual’s independent spirit is swiftly and brutally put down, with the transgressors being punished with severe prison sentences or even death. It is this dysfunctional world that Equality 7-2521 is born into. The novel begins with Equality 7-2521 alone in a dark tunnel, transcribing his story.
The dystopia depicted in Anthem could quite easily be considered Ayn Rand’s commentary on society. It puts into perspective the downfalls of societal trends and putting others above oneself. The novella itself is a satire of Collectivism, which can be seen in examples of Communism. Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism includes ideas of immutable facts, rationalist mentality, self-prioritization, and a capitalist society (ARI, n.d.). Her ideas are shown in a variety of aspects throughout the novella. Oppression felt due to the collective mentality is the most prominent of the ideas shown. Another aspect that is important to note is Equality 7-2521’s natural tendency to struggle against the restrictions set upon
Anthem is a novella written by Ayn Rand, in which Equality 7-2521, the protagonist, struggles for self-identification living in a collectivist society. Equality believes that individuality is an eminent aspect of one’s life because individuality defines and outlines who man is. He endures all the hardships in his life living with people who support collectivism, and who reject his ideas. For example, when Equality 7-2521 invents and exhibits the light bulb, the World Council rejects it and tells him that it is selfish to work on something alone instead of working with his brothers. The World Council threatens to destroy the light bulb but Equality does not let that happen and rebels, so he is forced into exile from his society. Equality realizes that he is different from others because he cares about his happiness unlike others who are convinced to believe that a group’s happiness counts more than an individual’s happiness.
People in every Society are placed in categories according to gender, religion, race, and age from which one of these categories includes social class. In the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand, people are placed in social classes according to the government's liking and instead of race, age, gender etc their social class depends on the job they are given by the government. This was done to treat everyone equally in order to keep peace in the society. However, sometimes equality can cause rebellion and this idea is portrayed through the protagonist of the novel, Equality 7-2521. Ever since the unmentionable times had caused destruction to the society of Anthem, the government had taken away all the free will and individuality of its people.
It is a rare conception where a human being is completely and utterly alone. One problem we tend to overlook due to our primitive ideals of staying as a group, is the fact of us becoming solely to that group. In the book Anthem ,by Ayn Rand, a man named Equality 7-2521 sees this problem evolve and how it becomes a nuisance to his society. The book has made me open my mind up to the ideals of doing things for yourself and not always for those around you. The feeling of the story showing a world where many are brought down for being unique and talented hurts me as I imagine a time where all are mere specs of the world. The book hits the hard points of what can easily go wrong with our society if we decide to go over the line. I can see a life
In Anthem, famous Russian-American novelist Ayn Rand , describes Equality as being young, beautiful, tall, strong, fearless, and brilliant, which would be great characteristics to have if it weren’t for the upside down , dystopian world that he is forced to be a part of. The people in this world like to live by one quote: “ WE ARE ONE IN ALL AND ALL IN ONE. THERE ARE NO MEN BUT ONLY THE GREAT WE, ONE, INDIVISIBLE AND FOREVER.” This quote suggest that this society is to live as one which seems like a really great idea until you start taking peoples individual rights away. Equality 7-2521, who is the protagonist of the story, defies this quote by being his own person, or individual . Equality has a brilliant mind but because of this mind, he was “lashed more often than all the other children.” Although equality views this world of being negative he does find a couple of positive aspects of life , one of these being the Home of Scholars. The Council of Vocations quickly
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.