Anthem “I am done with the monster of "We," the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood and shame (97).” Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, is a tale of future times where the world has come to the most extreme case of collectivism possible. This book has been a contentious subject since it was first written because many believe that Rand took it too far and exaggerated making it hard for some reader’s to take seriously. Ayn Rand’s approach on the novel was indeed appropriate because she clearly showed the flaws in collectivism, highlighted the greatest advantages of individualism, and made her purpose in writing the book obvious. Ayn Rand did a wonderful job helping her readers understand the faults in the idea of collectivism. …show more content…
She used her extreme case of collectivism to force the reader to feel sympathy for Equality 7-2521. This caused an even greater rejoice from readers when the main character discovered the word “I”, and began to use it in his vocabulary for the first time in his life. “It was when I read the first of the books I found in my house that I saw the word "I." And when I understood this word, the book fell from my hands, and I wept, I who had never known tears. I wept in deliverance and in pity for all mankind (98).” This was such a victory for Equality 7-2521 that one could not read this section of the novel and refrain from celebrating with him. Ayn Rand brought to attention that all men yearn some trace of individualism, whether they would admit it or not. Ayn Rand once stated, “Everyone has the right to make his own decisions, but none has the right to force his decision on others.” Rand believes in the freedom to choose. She believes in this concept just as much or possibly more than any man ever has, and she is desperately trying to help others understand the importance that individuality should be in our …show more content…
She kept it interesting and made sure that not one person would ever pick up her book without finishing it until the very last word. Even if one completely disagrees with her opinion and take on this controversial subject, they will still feel the need to read up until the last page of this captivating novel. She creates a universe that is mysterious and holds the attention of her readers, for one will certainly feel urgency to discover how the book is concluded. Rand found a way to take her philosophy and put it into a story that is enthralling to readers of all different personalities, pasts, and beliefs. She courageously stood up for what she believed to be right when she wrote Anthem. She believes that a person is born with the freedom to choose their own destiny, and no man should be robbed of that. In the novel, Ayn Rand takes the reader through a short recap of man’s freedom throughout history to make for a legendary breakthrough. She wrote, “At first, man was enslaved by the gods. But he broke their chains. Then he was enslaved by the kings. But he broke their chains. He was enslaved by his birth, by his kin, by his race. But he broke their chains. He declared to all his brothers that a man has rights which neither god nor king nor other men can take away from him, no matter what their number, for his is the right of man, and there is no right on earth above this right. And
In the book Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 had never seen his physical appearance. He was surprised to see 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 of 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.
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.
At the start of Anthem, Equality is a collectivist who knows there is something wrong with the world he lives in. This allows him to evolve into an individualist. Equality says , “It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see. It is base and evil. It is as if we were speaking alone to no ears but our own” (Rand 17). Equality admits he has committed a transgression and hopes to be forgiven. Equality, at this moment, is living to the standards of others because he lives in a society where no man is to think differently than another. This contradicts Rand’s philosophy because she says that a man is entitled to his own happiness and that you are in charge of it, but since Equality is living to the rules of his society, he cannot find his own happiness, for he is almost forbidden to do so. Likewise, it states in the text, “I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debts from them. I ask none to live for me, nor do I live for any others. I covet no man’s soul, nor is my soul theirs to covet” (Rand 96). Equality realizes that he is not to live nor commit himself to the standards of others. He has come to the understanding, as Ayn Rand says in her interview, “That he cannot demand that others give up their lives to make him happy, nor should he wish to sacrifice himself for the happiness of others.” Equality finds his own happiness because he has found himself, and he has learned that he cannot put his happiness in the hands of others nor put the happiness of others in his own hands. This allowed him to find himself, and to find
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.
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.
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.
I have always loved them and held their ideals and hopes to heart, but Anthem has been one that has opened my eyes to larger world. Rand showed a world of misery and a hope of freedom to me through her books. Her choice of words continued her story in a manner of which I could see, feel, and understand what Equality was experiencing. There was no point where I felt alone in working with my partner. I got to work in a group and experience the book with another; but ,like the ideals of a perfect society, I was able to separate from them to continue my own thoughts. This book required more of my time due to the extra procedures, but it made the story a much more hard hitting story as I experienced Equality’s life and of being the person who passed on the story that may be forgotten in later times to
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.
There has always been a slight anxiety of being alone or standing alone. Students rarely want to admit to having an answer different from the rest of their classmates; some people do not want to go somewhere and do something by themselves. Notably, with more shy or anxious people, they will often stick around someone they know, so they will not be alone in the crowd. Although that company might help them make it through those nerve-wracking moments, when is the right time for them to walk alone? Should a person ever walk alone? In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, Equality’s internal conflict of conformity versus individuality plays a role that Equality needs to overcome in order to complete their quest for freedom which helps create their outcast archetype and gives significance to the final word of the novel.
“I worship individuals for their highest possibilities as individuals, and I loathe humanity, for its failure to live up to these possibilities.” (Ayn Rand). Ayn’s novel lives up to these possibilities by expressing her hope for independence and individuality in the world. Freedom can only be achieved by man’s own ability to think, feel, make choices, and form their own judgement, and that is exactly what the novel is about. In her book Anthem, Ayn Rand presents the philosophy that independence and individuality are very important in a society. This philosophy is true, and can be related to historical and current world events, along with the book Anthem. First, the independence that is gained by the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Equality represents the importance of independence in a society. Secondly, the African-American people who were discriminated upon and Equality’s expression of individuality through being different, both show the importance of individuality in a society. Lastly, the Annual Gay Pride Parade in Toronto and Equality’s journey to individuality represents the importance of it for humankind.
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
The book Anthem by Ayn Rand (1938) is a novel which exemplifies the effects of collective thinking in society; although the book was written almost 90 years ago the ideas about government remain relevant in today's society. Across the globe governments continue to struggle with balancing the power of the individual as well as the collective. Anthem shows the extreme conditions present in society when the government is ruled entirely for and by the collective good. In the society described in Anthem the right to think individually, innovate, show favoritism, or even write is prohibited.
Coming from Russia during the civil war between a collectivist party and capitalism, author Ayn Rand grew up under the exposure of communism. She strongly disagreed with the sentiment of socialism, thus moved to the U.S. to experience the capitalist system. Here, Rand’s books became critically acclaimed through her unique perspective and characters. The majority of these novels is heavy handed and are heavily laced with biases that depict her strong distaste of collectivism. In the particular novella Anthem, Rand gives a warning to readers about the dangers of depending on the ‘we’ of society.