Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise. In a society that functions by this proverb, wisdom is hard to come by. However, for a being longing for this wisdom, with a natural urge of curiosity, this “bliss” is hell. Equality, a being longing for the validation of his differences in a society of group mentality, is spare of individual morality. He accepts the ignorance of total equality that is forced on him, but is contrastingly different from the image of a part of a communal whole.
They placed him in a position where he would be isolated and likely demoralized. They removed him from a society that he wanted to be a part of. These actions and purposes are undoubtedly sinister. But the predominant reason?
Equality reluctantly pursues his ego, as he cannot deny his inherent solitary nature. Equality finally tastes his first experience of freedom when he discovers a tunnel hidden underground with a friend. As Ayn Rand describes, “It was old and rusted by many rains. We pulled
This selfishness is what eventually prompts Equality to look at his reflection in awe, create electrical lighting with his ingenuity, and, lastly, love Liberty. By recognizing and accepting these individual strengths, interests, and desires, Equality is victorious in freeing himself from collectivism. Man only comprehends rigid conformity. Nevertheless, Equality is “not like that of our brothers” (19), with a grand stature, a fascinating face, and straight capable arms resting at his sides. His distinctive features, are however, not just arbitrary.
In their eyes it is a sin to be smarter, prettier, taller, or in any way different. It takes an unconquered odd ball to find the truth of love. When Equality, the main character in Anthem, escapes this society he finds himself living in a life full of false emotions. Equality finds the truth of family love, friendship love, and romance love.
This not only applies to adults but also children, which can be seen in the novel. Golding “...asks how superior we are to savages and he points to the superficiality of our civilization; indeed it seems to be powerless against the innate brutality of man, against his fear which is in fact against the innate brutality of man, against his fear which is in fact the expression of the evil that pervades the world.” (Michot). Humans “good” is just superficial and isn't truly what they are. Inside they are just savages that are trying to conform to society's norm, but inside they are selfish and evil.
Ayn Rand’s Anthem starts by Equality 7-2521 saying “It is a sin to write this.” Throughout the story, Equality’s views and mindset changes, he realizes that he is different from his brothers and its ok to be different. He discovers that if something is legal it is not certainly right. His eager for knowledge taught him the word “I” abandoning the word “We”.
A paradox, or self contradictory statement, is the perfect way for the speaker to express his predicament. He does not “ deserve pleasure”, but he also “does not deserve pain” explains the speaker’s feelings of guilt and remorse for his immense fortune, while the working class can barely get by. In parallel lines in his poem, the speaker uses the words “failed” and “successful.” He uses these words so close together to demonstrate the failure he and civilization throughout history has faced in order to be
Winston is not a person someone can admire, but he does deserve sympathy and pity. His vulnerability makes him so very human. If anything is to go about, Winston is an anti-hero, but at the same time, he is nevertheless the protagonist of the story and an "Everyman" type all at the same time. Julia and Winston both believe that at first, that their minds and their hearts are inaccessible. O'Brien then shows them that they are both wrong at the end and that everything Winston did is the worst type of crime.
While some members of society desire to isolate themselves from the impurities and imperfections that plague the world around them, achieving the societal utopia of truth and perfection is one that stands in contradistinction to the definition of humanity itself. In J. D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye, we are situated inside the mind of Holden Caulfield, a teen who has trouble fitting into the apparent “phony” norms and contours that he is expected to assimilate into. In other words, Holden Caulfield is rightfully marked as a deviant misfit, often alienating himself from the ever changing world around him. In my opinion, it would be of value to look away from society as a whole and begin to problematize the totalizing nature of Holden’s rationality.
In fact, despite living in this regimented society, he seeks individuality, suffers for his idealism, and comes of age despite disillusionment. Equality possesses an inner quality that causes him to seek individuality. To begin, seeking individuality is forbidden in his society, so he is forced
Living as a “normal” citizen of his time, and the growing feelings of uneasiness this brought allowed him to realize the wrongs of his society’s ways and begin to seek life anew. Throughout his search, Montag also comes to know the importance of self-understanding, an essential element to a truly fulfilled life. Although it is common practice for individuals to go through life under the false conviction that “ignorance is bliss,” Ray Bradbury reveals that this notion is far from reality. Without an understanding of the world and one’s personal role in it, one can only go through life living out a pre-packaged lie, a plastic mold of expectation that cannot bring personal fulfillment or
Equality succeeds in finding happiness and meaning in life by learning to be an individual and taking risks that no one in his society dared to do
Anthem Essay Topic 1 Ayn Rand's Anthem depicts a collectivist society where each person is stripped of his/her individuality and forced to do only things that work to better society. The protagonist, Equality 7-2521, has just invented some sort of lighting creation similar to the common lightbulb. Equality knows that his new invention may have a huge, and positive, impact on mankind. However, his knowledge of the prosperity that his creation could have on society is not what causes him to experience feelings of satisfaction and pride while constructing it. Equality's main source of motivation for creating the lightbox is to feel like he has something all to himself that another person is yet to have, and to experience a sense of accomplishment.
In the book Anthem, Ayn Rand uses diction, imagery, and syntax to create a confident tone in Equality 7-2521 to show how he is changing for the better. Equality learns that individuality is ok and states “ I am done with this creed of corruption,” to emphasize that he’s “done” with how the governing body brainwashed him and that he now has his own views on society (55). Equality thought all the things the governing body wanted him to think, but as he broke off he realized that none of it was true. He did not want to live by the standards of the governing body so he broke through the standards and started to individually listen to himself. Equality grew up with the impression of everyone should have the same thought but, the individuality