Analyzing The Character Equality 7-2521 In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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In Anthem by Ayn Rand, the character Equality 7-2521 is rebellious, intelligent, and curious. Equality 7-2521 is rebellious. If a person is rebellious, he shows a desire to resist authority. This authority is most commonly a government that runs its territory in a way which the rebellious person does not support. Rebellious people argue for changing or replacing this authority because they often view it as corrupt or ineffective. Due to their desire for change, these people are often the most dangerous to governments that wish to retain power and control. Equality 7-2521 shows this desire to defy authority in Anthem. The society that he lives in forbids writing unless it is first approved by the Council of Vocations. However, he has done exactly …show more content…

People who are inquisitive ask questions about why or how something is the way it is. They are not satisfied with a simple explanation of how something works, but always search for a deeper, more involved answer or explanation. Curious people question everything that interests them, even if the circumstances are not right to do so. In Anthem, Equality 7-2521 possesses these traits. As a child, he questioned everything about the world that his Teachers did not teach him, even if the Council of Scholars told him that there were no mysteries about those topics. He wanted to know everything about the world he lived in. He demonstrates his curiosity when he says, “And questions give us no rest. We know not why our curse makes us seek we know not what, ever and ever. But we cannot resist it. It whispers to us that there are great things on this earth of ours, and that we can know them if we try, and that we must know them. We ask, why must we know, but it has no answer to give us. We must know that we may know” (24). This is a desire which is never satisfied, since there is always more to learn about the world. Equality 7-2521 is naturally curious, and yearns to learn more at all

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