Anthem By Ayn Rand: Character Analysis

873 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Defined freedom

Every individual’s motivations can vary in numerous ways. All the characters in Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, face many struggles, but have their primary sources of motivation to help them continue through the hard times. The main character, Equality, accidentally creates an invention without knowledge that it would lead him towards his new style of life. Although his creation isn’t his primary motivation, it opens up his eyes about other aspects of life that are missing from his lifestyle. Equality himself, and his curiosity are his own primary motivation, he has the right to be motivated in this way because his curiosity is what ables his mind to wonder what his life could be like if it wasn’t controlled by other people. Equality’s curious thoughts about his controlling society lead him to …show more content…

He had every right to let his mind wander outside the barriers that were put up by the council and all other forms of authority. His curiosity and new occupation led him to find a tunnel where he can study and do as he pleases, unwatched and uncontrolled. Equality then creates his main creation, electricity or the light bulb. This makes him wonder what else he can create if he sets his mind to it. “We Equality, have discovered a new power of nature. And we have discovered it alone, and we are alone to know it” (Rand 52). Although he can’t tell anyone about his new invention, it gives him the confidence that he can create more without the council finding out. If Equality encountered a different mindset in Anthem, the storyline would be completely different. His curious mindset is like how food gives people energy, it gives him the energy to continue studying the Unmentionable Times and why his society is the way it is. Equality’s curiosity led him to form his new creation, electricity. Today’s world uses electricity like it has always been around, very different from

Show More
Related

  • Equality 7-2521 in Anthem - Ayn Rand

    967 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the book Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 had never seen his physical appearance. He was surprised seeing such a strong individual staring at him. One day after escaping into the woods, he finally met himself at a flowing stream and gained new confidence. This was an essential part to the theme of "Anthem." This shows how Equality finally found himself as an "I" in order to help others see themselves as an "I." This is an important part of "Anthem" since it reveals Equality 7-2521's determination, bravery, and development as a person.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis of Equality 7-2521 in Ayn Rand's 'Anthem'

    824 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis Of Equality 7-2521 In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    1061 Words  | 3 Pages

    Equality is different from the other men in his world, and because of this he has lived most of his life concealing his emotions, being outcasted and punished by the leaders and teachers of his society, and stripping himself of his talents and uniqueness, therefore he has every right to criticize the leaders who kept the real Equality trapped inside for so very long. 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.

    Read More

  • Equality, S Self Journey In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    975 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Equality's Motivation In Anthem, By Ayn Rand

    793 Words  | 2 Pages

    “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

    Read More

  • Essay On Equality In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    955 Words  | 2 Pages

    “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,

    Read More

  • Altruism In Anthem By Ayn Rand

    1126 Words  | 3 Pages

    In a year that remains undefined beneath a small city lit only by candles, a young man is working. He works without the council to guide him and without his brothers beside him. He works for his own purposes, for his own desires, for the dreams that were born in his own steady heart and bright mind. In his society, this is the greatest transgression. To stand alone is to stand groping in the dark, and to act alone is to be shamed by one’s own selfishness. The elegantly simple society that Ayn Rand has created in the novel Anthem has erased all segregation and discrimination by making every man one and the same with those around him; only Equality 7-2521 defies the norm with his ruthless

    Read More

  • Identity In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    1085 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • The Theme Of Equality 7-2521 In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    764 Words  | 2 Pages

    “An inventor is a man who asks ‘Why’ of the universe and lets nothing stand between the answer and his mind”( Ayn Rand). In the novel Anthem, by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 is seen as an outcast compared to his brothers; different. Equality is the inventor, he questions the council and the world around him. When we take a closer look at the protagonist of the novel, Equality, we can see that he is intelligent, unique in his own way, adventurous, and curious. Some might say his curiosity is what drives him to to be the way he is and seek out the unknown. To most, these characteristics, proves Equality a prophet that stresses the idea of Equality for all.

    Read More

  • Corruption In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    424 Words  | 1 Pages

    Equality 7-2521 struggles in the Home of the Students because he is too intelligent and deft at absorbing information. The ability to think quickly and easily was looked down upon by the teachers and the government. Equality notes, “It was not that the learning was too hard for us. It was that that the learning was too easy. This is a great sin, to be born with a head which is too quick. It is not good to be different from our brothers, but it is evil to be superior to them. The teachers told us so…” (21). The students are taught that being intelligent is evil and that they cannot be superior in knowledge than the officials in the government. Equality’s intelligence leads to his job as a Street Sweeper because the government wants to suppress radical ideas by assigning him to a socially lower job and authoritative status. As literary critic Tore Boeckmann states about Anthem, “[Equality] belong[s] at the pinnacle of any rational social hierarchy, yet [he is] thrown (at least temporarily) to the very bottom” (135). Overall, the public citizens in Anthem are extremely selfless and lack a sense of self-worth because the government wants them to put the good of the community above the

    Read More

  • What Does Ayn Rand's Anthem And What Does It Mean To Be Free?

    427 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the Anthem, by Ayn Rand Equality 7-2521 wants to be a free man, but he must be free of his brothers first. Equality 7-2521 has a lot of primary focuses. His most primary focus that is motivating him is becoming free and loving Liberty 5-3000

    Read More

  • Response To Anthem By Ayn Rand

    548 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to Dictionary.com freedom means “the state of being uncontrolled by another, or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint.” Freedom. What does freedom mean to you? Even though freedom means the state of being uncontrolled by another, or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint, I believe that freedom means being able to accomplish what you desire and when you desire it without anyone saying anything, by reason of the comparison and contrast of our society and the society in the book Anthem by Ayn Rand, the negation of the word freedom, and synonyms of the word freedom. I believe that you should accept the consequences of the actions you take when you have your “freedom” as well.

    Read More

  • The Themes Of Individualism In Anthem, By Ayn Rand

    815 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the novel, Anthem, written by Ayn Rand takes place when mankind has entered another dark age. A man named Equality 7-2521 lives in a society where he struggles to live equal within the brotherhood. In the world he lives in people are told they exist only for the sake of serving society, and have no other purpose. Therefore, each individual is assigned a vocation as a permanent life career which determines who they socialize and live with. However, Equality being very different from his brothers, believes in individualism and rejects the collectivism society around him. The concept of individualism vs collectivism is portrayed in the story because individuality is unknown to the people where no one is unique or excellent in any way. The people

    Read More

  • Theme Statement For Anthem

    425 Words  | 1 Pages

    Anthem proves this theme to be true because he has his own ideas that Equality 7-2521 decides to follow and runs away from conformity. Equality, unable to think, act, or speak freely, has many ideas and decides to put them to use. He could not ignore his creative

    Read More

  • Individualism in "Anthem" by Ayn Rand

    814 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

More about Anthem By Ayn Rand: Character Analysis

Open Document