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Individualism vs collectivism
Individualism vs collectivism in society
Individualism vs collectivism in society
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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 the beginning of the novella, the reader is introduced to a collectivist society that rose up after a era dubbed the “Unmentionable Times” where it is assumed there was great destruction that caused the fear of new society. This society rejects individual ideals, differences, choices, and solitude. This society is meant to be portrayed as unlikable to people who come from where differences and talents are celebrated and encouraged, such as the United States. It doesn’t fit objectivism, and actually is entirely the opposite. The use of this kind of society in the book is only a tool to show how objectivism is much better than collectivism. It is meant to show the troubles of this kind of ideology such as a boring lifestyle, lack of choice, and inadequacy of technology and advancement. This society portray as weaker and less than an individual, while Equality, who is slowly gaining a sense of individuality, progressed beyond them at a much faster rate. This shown by the way they light up their respective worlds. While the society as a whole uses candles, which are primitive, provide small amount of light, and have fragile, naked flames, the light Equality discovers is stronger. It can be made brighter, cleaner, and doesn’t go out with a breath of air. The electric light is also a symbol for Equality himself. He is stronger and taller ...
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...at he wants. Through example, he is also showing the city people that they have a choice too, whether they want to follow him or reject his ideals in favor of their collective ones. Equality isn’t helping anyone unless they want to be helped. He is merely giving them something that they were never given, a fundamental right to make their own decisions about what is best for them in their minds.Giving people a chance to choose for themselves what they truly want is what objectivism is for.
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.
Rand criticizes Marxist ideals throughout her novel, Anthem, as she demonstrates socialist failures to remedy the social issues they oppose. Worsened atrocities within this futuristic world demean the ideals of socialism. Rand demonstrates the innate evils of socialist concepts through denial of life, progress for the betterment of society, and identity to the individual.
Equality deserves the right to be motivated in his own way, and the people in the world today would or would not benefit from being motivated in all the same ways. Firstly, the main character was creating electricity to finally be added into the House of Scholars. Next, he deserves the right to be motivated in this way because he is his own person. Finally, in today’s world if everyone was motivated in the same way we would not be our own person anymore. In conclusion, every man has his own
“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 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
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.
Equality 7-2521 embodies this essential idea throughout the story because of his eternal struggle with not quite being able to conform to society’s expectations. He is physically different from the others (Rand, 1946, p. 2) as well as mentally different as he disagreed with others even as a child (p. 4) and was smarter than the rest (p. 5), and this mental sharpness is carried into adulthood as he is able to discern the feelings of oppression and fear that weigh over all men in this time (Rand, 1946, p. 30). Rather than acting as a machine, he feels preferences and desires within himself. Equality 7-2521 enjoys science, dreams of being a Scholar, likes a pretty girl, and wonders about himself. Since these things are not shared by all, they are forbidden, and despite how simple they may be, they define
To begin with, the knowledge of new information from science can spur rebellion among the citizens, insinuated by the tight control shown in the novella. The Council begins to berate Equality for daring to be different from the rest of society. After Equality presents his light discovery Collective
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.
Ayn Rand's Anthem shows us her view of our world united under what seems to be communist rule. For example their view of right and wrong; which Anthem portrays is a system of very strict rules which mainly make sure that everyone is involved in a collective role within the society in this system no one is considered an individual or that they can even think as an individual.
Rand’s quote, “The word ‘We’… crushes all beneath it, and that which is white and that which is black are lost equally in the tray of it,” implies that the black and white are the independent people in society. It is shown that as people are made on in society by gathering they lose their independence. As one all the minds of the people mix their black and white paint to produce a lost tray. They no longer have their own ideas, but now they have a conclusion of everyone’s ideas All the unique qualities of the people are crushed and the group gets all the credit for being unique. People do not want to be put together and treated equally. People want to be treated with respect for what they have done. In the novelette, Prometheus invents electricity by using his own mind. He wants credit for this invention and wou...
However, this is not an idea that promotes a dictatorship, but an opportunity to control more over what occurs inside American borders. Equality speaks his last words in the novella: “For The coming of the day shall I fight, I am my sons and my children friends. For the freedom of man. For his rights. For his life. For his honor” (104; ch. 12). The previous quotation allows the reader to understand how Equality gained control over his life in the end of the novella. In resemblance to Equality, the American government and citizens themselves can achieve the same kind of control. Following objectivism would allow every American citizen to gain control of their futures, as well as their mental states. In the midst of escaping his life, Equality finally finds the forbidden word in which he wishes to say: “I am. I think. I will.… This earth of mine… What must I say besides? These are the words. This is the answer” (94; ch. 11). Executing the objectivism philosophy into one’s life will open up their eyes much like how Equality enables himself near the end of the novella. Ayn Rand especially implements these values into her life by publicly speaking about the benefits of choosing to follow
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.
Equality has discovered something all by himself and he’s the only one that knows it. Equality would help create a new idea of the period of invention and discovery but only if it was accepted by the Council. (Pg 53 Rand)“We put a piece of copper and a piece of zinc into a jar of brine, we touched a wire to them, and there under our fingers, was a miracle which had never occurred before, a new miracle and a new power.”