Bildungsroman In Anthem, By Ayn Rand

Bildungsroman, is a novel dealing with one person's formative years, or spiritual education. Such as, Anthem, a dystopian fiction novella by Ayn Rand, written in 1937. Anthem, is written as the diary of Equality 7-2521, a young man living in a futuristic time, in which people have lost all knowledge of individualism, to the point of not even knowing the word “I.” Throughout the story, Equality longs for individuality in a collectivist society, knowing that it is a sin, he still strives to be who he wants to be, without any care of the government's rules.
Throughout the novella, Equality consciously seeks individuality. He completely understands what his society stands for, yet says “All men are one and that there is no will save the will of all men together” (Rand20). It is easy to see that equality deep down wants to be an individual. Equality finds great pride in individuality. He says “I am, I think, I will” (Rand94). This means that whatever he sets his mind to, no matter whether or not the government thinks it's morally correct, he will still strive to achieve his goal. He will live for himself, and no one else. Lastly, equality seeks individuality with the quote “We

He does this despite many obstacles and disillusionment. “We have broken so many laws, and today we have broken one more” (Rand42). Equality was slightly disappointed in himself, yet overcame that, and escaped the cruel society, that he once lived captive in. He also said “I am a man. This miracle of me is mine to own and keep, and mine to guard, and mine to use, and mine to kneel before” (Rand95). This quote is after Equality overcame his problem, and realized that he is own leader. Lastly, Equality stated, “It shall be my name,” (Rand99) this shows that equality didn’t care what the government had to say about him anymore, and was more than willing to take control over his life. These quotes, show just how much of an overcomer Equality