Anthem Essay

It is in a child’s inherent nature to contemplate the meaning of his/her existence. Every child undoubtedly fights the battle to find his/her true identity and their family is a vital element in determining that character. A child unconsciously conforms to ideas exerted around them. A child’s parent exhibits a profound influence, in his/her desire to nurture their child to their apex potential, but it may not necessarily in the best interest of the government. In a society that is based on a totalitarian dictatorship, the government has its own ideal path from which its citizens cannot stray. Therefore, a government curtails the development of a child’s identity by separating the child from its family.

In Anthem, Amy Rand’s inspirational novella, Equality 7-2521 lives in a future where there is no “I” or “mine.” Members of this Orwellian society work together in groups, which answer to the greater good. When Equality 7-2521 is forced to clean the streets, he rebels against this idea of collectivism by conducting illegal scientific activity. He rediscovers electricity, but when he showcases his invention of the light bulb, he is forced to flee. Joined by his love, Liberty 5-3000, he flees to the wilderness. There, he discovers the true meaning of the word “individual,” shattering the shackles of collectivism he has worn since birth. Equality 7-2521 renames himself Prometheus and his love Gaea, and they dream to create a society based on individual freedom.

A family is something a person considers as his/her own. One often identifies themselves with their kin. If one were given to their parents in such a socialist society as the one described in the novella, one would have a “ biased” love for the people who created and...

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...sly follows the orders given by the World Council. A family can destroy this chain of command. When individuals have a family, they have another reason to continue living. They now have people who care about them and now they want to continue to exist for the people they love. With a new reason to continue living, a dictatorship would lose its control over the people who have a renewed sense of self.

A family is, by far, the simplest possible functional social unit. Straightforward and personal, it is in far contrast to the labyrinthine politics and secretive policies of a typical Orwellian government. However, Amy Rand’s novella shows that despite its simplicity, the impact that a family has on an individual possesses the capacity to depose countless such governments, and, fearful of this power, the government of this novella separates children from their families.