Equality In Ayn Rand's Anthem'

In the beginning of Anthem, we the audience, have a tough time understanding what the author means by “we” and “they”. Soon, it becomes clear that these are the words the main character, Equality, uses to refer to himself, and other people. This in itself is a major theme throughout this book. In the story, we meet a young protagonist by the name of Equality. He is very curious about the world that he lives in. A world that is very different from the one we dwell in. This is a world where words such as “I” and “ego” are not in Equality’s vocabulary. And a world in which both creativity and individuality are shunned. Everyone in this society most conform or be killed. In this society, Equality tries to ignore his curiosity

Because of this expression of free thought, the world council has him exiled into the forest outside of the city. Here, he is able to discover himself. He has many revelations about the world, himself, and all mankind. In this forest, he and the Golden one express their love for each other. The culminations of these events eventually result in Equality becoming free in both body and mind and realizing that every human has rights and are individuals. In this, he and the Golden One find what they have been looking for since birth, which include “I” or the word “Ego”. They have finally found what word separates them from their oppressed brethren and frees them from the shackles of their society. In my opinion, this book is in some form, a reference to the communist Russian state and Fascist German state during World War 2. Although this book is set in the future, I can imagine the author drew these ideas from the world around her during the time she was writing her book. There are similarities such has the denial of individuality and the “All for the good of the country” mentality. To me, it is a clear reference to the times the author was living in, but told in a different