Ayn Rand's Anthem
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.
From the day that Equality 7-2521 were united as one they have been considered freaks, because they were all about six feet tall and looked down upon by the other groups within the society. After their schooling, Equality 7-2521 were sent to the "Home of the Street Sweepers" and there they were assigned a certain sector of the city to keep clean. They were probably made street sweepers because they were abnormally tall which says a lot about the society's views about discrimination.
There is a very strict rule on individualism that is enforced in the harshest of ways.
If someone says the forbidden word EGO or any individualistic vocabulary their tongue would be cut out, that way they couldn't tell anyone the word and at that time they are sentenced to death and then they were burned at the stake. Saying the forbidden word is the only crime punishable by death in the society. Another rule is if someone thinks individually or acts individually they will be sent to the House of Detention, there they were beaten and locked up for a vast amount of time. The rule was very importan...
The book Anthem is a book that can be perceived many various ways. To me, Anthem is about an outstandingly smart young man, named Equality 7-2521
Ayn Rand, in Anthem, illustrates a futuristic, socialist society. In the novel, Rand destroys any sense of individuality and describes the social setbacks endured after living ‘only for the brotherhood’. The individual person fails to exist and is but a ‘we’ and recognized by a word and a series of numbers rather than a name. Additionally, she describes the horrors encountered within this different system of life: from reproduction methods to punishments. Through the life of Equality 7-2521, Rand demonstrates a person’s journey from obedience to exile in this socialist society. Throughout the entire novel, Rand criticizes Marxist theory as she demonstrates socialism’s failure to suppress revolution, thwart material dialectic, and its detriment to humanity.
The Society of Anthem is a striking instance of a dystopian society in which daily life is dominated by fear. The society is headed by a group of elders, who attempt to destroy the concept of individuality and promote the idea of collectivism. The society controls all aspects of life including roles and profession, emotions, mating and the freedom of choice. Equality 7-2521 undergoes a transformation that is contrary to the principles of Anthem’s society. In Anthem by Ayn Rand, Prometheus (formerly Equality 7-2521) should not feel guilty when he writes “why the best in me had been my sins and transgressions; and why I had never felt guilt in my sins.” because what he learned about himself over the course of the story.
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.
When Equality 7-2521 turned fifteen, he writes that he was told that “you shall do that which the Council of Vocations shall prescribe for you” (Rand, 22). He says that although he knew it was sinful, he had a desire to become a scholar and learn the “science of things.” In Equality 7-2521’s world, it was immoral and illegal to prefer one subject or person over another because everything was supposed to be equal. Equality...
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
You and I do not exist; government deems it so. We are one, a single body functioning for the collective good of society. Ayn Rand’s Anthem speaks to this collectivist doctrine while highlighting the implicit contradictions that impede its successful implementation. Collectivism is any philosophic, political, religious, economic, or social outlook that emphasizes the interdependence of every human. Collectivism is a basic cultural element that exists as the reverse of individualism in human nature (in the same way high context culture exists as the reverse of
Have you ever read a book or seen a movie set in a dystopian society? Well the book “Anthem” written by Ayn Rand is about the main character Equality 7-2521 breaking away from the teachings of his dystopian society and finding his true identity. Ayn Rand is a brilliant writer. Equality realizes that collectivism is a way to strip him, Liberty, and all their brothers of their individuality, happiness, joy, love and freedom. Equality comes to this realization from internal conflicts he has with himself.
Anthem by Ayn Rand is a soul-shifting and mind-blowing novella that explores the dangers of a collective, dystopian society. As a man named Equality 7-2521 stumbles through life, he realizes that he has a burning desire to learn and explore, traits discouraged by the society he lives in. In the City, there are many rules, and all of them shadow the idea that “we are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE. One, indivisible, and forever.” (3) Equality 7-2521, with his passion for learning and science, slowly breaks away from this iron rule set by society, and in doing so, learns of the importance of individualism and freedom. In Anthem, Rand’s use of literary devices such as symbolism, characterization, and imagery help develop and present the tone of the importance of individuality and the dangers of a collective society.
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.
Imagine living in a dystopian society where the world that once thrived was completely forgotten. Individualism and freedom cease to exist. Equality 7-2521 finds himself living in this society in which he soon realizes he does not belong. Anthem, by Ayn Rand, portrays the theme of freedom versus confinement through the eyes of Equality 7-2521 as he struggles to free himself from the restricting society in which he lives.
The purpose for these rules and controls are to keep the society collectivist. Fear is what runs this society. “... our brothers are silent, for they dare not the thoughts of their minds. For all must agree with all… and so they fear to speak” (Pg. 47). A Transgression that Equality would commit while being in the Home of Infants is he fought with his brothers. “There are few offenses blacker than to fight with our brothers, at any age and for any cause whatsoever” (Pg. 20). The purpose for this rule is to stop violence. If you look at the world around us all you see is violence. Guns, knives, people killing with bare hands. Ayn Rand’s reasoning for the rule of no violence would be a rule that I personally think would work, if
Ayn Rand’s novella, Anthem, shows a totalitarian society that suppresses the ideology of individualism. Within these societies children live apart from their families and grow up without any inherited characteristics of being an individual person. Anthem is an example of this kind of society because it showcases the link between a totalitarian dictator’s powers to the oppression of individualism found in children that live apart from their families. Totalitarian dictators enforce the arrangement of children living separate from their families because it oppresses individualism and allows for a better grasp of beneficial control over the society.
In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, the citizens live in a communist society. It is seen from many points in the story. In Anthem no man is higher than the other. It even goes as far as to what job they have and who they talk to is chosen for them. This is supported by the thoughts in the main character's head and the words he uses to write, his everyday life, and the many other examples of communism in the story.
"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.