After reading the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand, we recognized different aspects of the story such as the overall theme, plot, love theme, and conclusion which tied the entire story together. We can tie these aspect together with the lyrics we hear in the music we listen today. Music is a way for artists to express emotions and/or events that occur in people’s life. For example a song can serve as a love story or a message that shows one’s emotion. Songs and novels relate because of the similar message that both try to imply. The following songs are songs that I believe best relate to the different areas of the story Anthem.
The song “The Kill” by 30 Seconds To Mars from their album A Beautiful Lie (2006) corresponds with the overall theme of the story Anthem. When 30 Seconds To Mars sings the following lyrics from their song “The Kill”, it’s components tie in with the theme on finding out who one really is. Just like how Equality 7-2521 found out who he really was as an individual:
I tried to be someone else
But nothing seemed to change
I know now, this is who I really am inside
Finally found myself
Fighting for a chance
I know now, this is who I really am
These lyrics send a message of how at first he was being someone who he wasn’t but then eventually found out who he actually was. He grew up living in a society where a person couldn’t be their own individual self and everything was done collectively. He never knew about individualism because of the fact he’s been in a collective environment. After learning about the Unmentionable Times and the forbidden word “I”, he knew at that moment who he really was. “I tried to be someone else/ I know now this is who I really am inside,” are two lines that can be used that momen...
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...son, he wanted to make sure that his son would grow up in this world that he wants to bring back. He won’t stop at anything until he has begun this new rebirth of his world. His society had constricted his individual potential to the extent where he couldn’t even use the word “I”. When he ran away from the so-called utopia, he was finally free to do his own will.
We can see how we can connect the emotions and messages implied by different songs can tie into the story Anthem. As we read the novel, we were able to identify the different parts of the story as well was the different emotions expressed by each of the characters. By paying attention to the messages and emotions, we were able to find songs that contained lyrics with similar messages and emotions. By tying in songs that we listen to today with the novel, we can actually connect with the story better.
The opening stanza sets the tone for the entire poem. Updike uses symbolism to portray the sad, disappointing life Flick ...
Anthem is a book full to the brim of symbolism. Some of it is clear to see and others you have to really pay attention to capture. Anthem is not a hard book to understand, but it can still be difficult to grasp the full meaning of it. The meaning of which is elusive at points, slipping between your fingers and resting on the pages in plain view. Unity, we, I, Ego, it all plays a major part in this book along with the symbolism of things.
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, 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
The dystopia depicted in Anthem could quite easily be considered Ayn Rand’s commentary on society. It puts into perspective the downfalls of societal trends and putting others above oneself. The novella itself is a satire of Collectivism, which can be seen in examples of Communism. Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism includes ideas of immutable facts, rationalist mentality, self-prioritization, and a capitalist society (ARI, n.d.). Her ideas are shown in a variety of aspects throughout the novella. Oppression felt due to the collective mentality is the most prominent of the ideas shown. Another aspect that is important to note is Equality 7-2521’s natural tendency to struggle against the restrictions set upon
Anthem, of course has a different writing style, without being able to use the word “I”. Maze Runner does say “I”, and is a lot easier read. I based my essay on the movie of Maze Runner and on the book Anthem. Movies and books are very different, so the book of Maze Runner could have been more like Anthem. Overall, Anthem was a good book and was very interesting because of the no “I” rule. The Maze Runner was a very good movie and also I normally don’t like dystopian novels or movies because I don’t really care for the mystery and misery, but this one was pretty good, I enjoyed both of them
Anthem by Ayn Rand is considered a dystopian novel. The characters live in a society where everything is bad, and they have no control over their life or destiny. The book is about a man, Equality 7-2521, who breaks all the laws of his society and dares to be different. The book is in first person and designed to seem like a journal entry. Equality 7-2521 lives in a futuristic society where people have no knowledge of individualism, and the words ‘I’ or ‘me’ do not exist.
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.
In the story Anthem by Ayn Rand, it takes place during a totalitarian world of the future. The leaders of society of complete control of everything. Equality 7-2521 is the narrator and the protagonist. He tells about his life in this totalitarian world and what it is like to live in it. Equality says “It is a sin to write this.” at the beginning the story, by the end of the story he different moral assessment of his actions. Equality’s assessment of his sin is correct, because he finally realizes that he is smart enough to do things he was told he couldn’t do.
Life has fared well since Gaea and I have lived in this house. There are now others in houses surrounding us. These are my friends that I returned to rescue, International 4-8818 being one of them. He is now called Apollo. We are happy here, all of us. The others are learning, albeit rather slowly, yet they learn to say I instead of we. It is my hope that, before my first child is born, they will all say I so that he or she may only know this and not the cursed we.
The world’s creatures have always yearned for a special peace that would allow all to become equal. This peace may bring about a utopian world but reality may strike and send a message of what life is really about. Some may think of life as a time to form justice and equality amongst all yet, others think of life as a time to become a higher more authoritative person that the rest of the world. The Residential Community at Beacon Hill Friends House provides the sort of utopian community that many imagine achieving. Everything is equal in a small world like this starting from the management of food to the use of the VCR. The Residential Community at Beacon Hill Friends House has set a realistic utopian society and has not yet corrupted the uniqueness of justice and equality amongst the residents as in Anthem.
In the end of "Anthem", Prometheus comes to the realization that his society's teachings and ideas were not helpful in advancement to the society. Ideas like individuality, that the society tried to squash out of its people, is beneficial to the society as a whole because men are meant to think for themselves. In the book Prometheus made the light bulb back when he was in the society, but once he showed it to the World Council, they but him in jail. After this incidence he realized that no matter what brilliant things he invents, it will never be something that particular society can use. At first he is confused, but realizing that he was acting like an individual made him see that maybe society is the evil one and he is the good one. All of this made him realize that maybe he is not meant for this, and he is thrown out into the uncharted territory. He learns that men are meant to think for themselves, and that if they do society will become more advanced and they will be able to move forward instead of staying at the same spot forever. This is how he realizes his "sins" were actually good and that men are supposed to think for themselves.
Prometheus writes: “The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who will seek them.” (Chapter 3) Why does he think that the secrets of this earth are not for all men to see? If he thinks this, why does he decide to show his glass box to the World Council of Scholars? How do these issues relate to the theme of the novel?
Anthem, by Ayn Rand is a classic novel about a man who struggles through life to try and show the positives about a life unknown, unlike the dark and wicked society that he lives in. It shows what collectivism can do to a society and how a community can not flourish without individual identities. Equality is shown as a extremely intelligent young man with great potential to the future of the society, but the Council of Vocations seems him in a different light. Looked down upon by everyone, Equality 7-2521 was given the job of Street Sweeper to make him equal to his fellow brothers and to erase any individuality he obtained.
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.