The Character Of Equality In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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Anthem by Ayn Rand tells the story of a dystopian society in which individuality is prohibited: “We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, one, indivisible, and forever” (19). The main characters in the book are Equality 7-2521 and Liberty 5-3000. Both are very original characters with constant, well-developed traits. Throughout the story, Equality is curious, mindful, courageous, and independent. Equality was born with the curse of curiosity. To be curious means to want to learn just for the purpose of knowing. Along with being curious, Equality is also mindful, meaning that he is aware of and knows things that others do not. Of his curse, Equality states, “Our curse makes us seek we know not what, ever and …show more content…

But we think that the Council of Scholars is blind. The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who will seek them. We know, for we have found a secret unknown to all our brothers… No single one can possess greater wisdom than the many Scholars … Yet we can. We do … So much is still to be learned! So long a road lies before us, and what care we if we must travel it alone!” (52; 54). From a young age, Equality thought that the Earth held mysteries that not even the Scholars knew about (23). He seems to know that there is more to the world than just what he has been taught. He is mindful of the unknown. Equality claims that he has learned more in his underground tunnel than in the Home of the Students and knows things that the Scholars do not (36). He understands more than what they are taught and is aware of concepts no others have even …show more content…

He endures thirty days of isolation, imprisonment, and torture so that he can protect his discovery. Equality is willing to face danger in order to stand for his knowledge and belief. After thirty days, he escapes the Palace of Corrective Detention so he can bring his light to the Scholars (67). He has one goal in mind and does all he can to reach that goal. The next day, Equality brings his light to the World Council of Scholars (68-74). He bravely faces the Scholars without knowing how they will react because he wants to share his knowledge with others. When they threaten to destroy the light he created, Equality escapes into the Uncharted Forest (74-77). He knows that he will likely die but does not fear the future because he is finally free from the City. He manages to survive in the Forest and makes it to a house from the Unmentionable Times, which he is not afraid of (74-89). Through his bravery, Equality is able to persevere. He prepares for a new life in this house, one full of endless possibilities (99-105). Equality is brave enough to leave behind all he has ever known to create a new life in the Unknown. It is his curiosity, mindfulness, independence, and courage that have led him

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