Collectivism In Anthem, By Ayn Rand
In the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 lives in a collectivist dictatorship where he is deprived of his own rights as an individual. Equality struggles and is challenged in this society but is able to free himself with self-discovery of reality. A collectivist society focuses on individuals as part of a group and that man is chained to a collective action and collective thought for the “common good.” Being associated with a society like this gives individuals no rights to their own life and passion. According to Ayn Rand in The Soul of an Individualist, collectivism “produces nothing but mutual corruption.” The concept of collectivism encourages altruism and that individuals serve no purpose except the sake of serving society. …show more content…
Every struggle and obstacle that Equality is challenged with leads up to his self-realization and discovery that everyone functions independently, human beings have their own individuality, and that freedom leads to happiness. In The Soul of an Individualist, Ayn Rand states how the “basic need of the creator is independence.” Equality is independent long before he discovers individualism. He has his own thoughts, uses his own mind, and does not betray the ideas that he believes in, even if they are rejected and not allowed in society. Equality completes several events of life in his own way, such as talking to a Liberty, though he acknowledges that punishment is involved. Equality also expresses his pleasure in the Science of Things as he creates electricity. Slowly, Equality begins to do whatever will bring him pleasure and happiness, and according to the author, a country is based on “a man’s right to the pursuit of happiness. His own happiness” (Soul of an Individualist 38). Equality displays his integrity as he is true to his principles and beliefs. He realizes that no society can be collectivist without depriving individuals of basic rights, conforming to Ayn Rand’s beliefs: “There is no such thing as a collective brain…collective thought” (Soul of an Individualist 9). Equality 7-2521 can also be seen as courageous, or a risk-taker, as he challenges the beliefs of a collectivist
The Fountainhead By Ayn Rand Anthem Analysis
734 Words | 3 PagesIn Ayn Rand’s book Anthem, the main character Equality finally learns the word “I.” He finally begins to think for himself after years of living in a society where the word “I” was banned. The people in the society that Equality lived in could never think of themselves, but could only think of what would benefit everyone. In an excerpt of a novel titled The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, she talks about individualism versus collectivism. Anthem deals with this topic as well.
Equality 7-2521 In Ayn Rand's Anthem
829 Words | 4 PagesFrom Equality’s point of view, his desires and fulfillment are of more importance than the society’s excessive restrictions. Individuality, Rand claims, is necessary for one’s contentment; thus, the individual must always weigh themselves greater than all else. By emphasizing his independent priorities, Equality is able to rebel against the regulations he believes are
Summary Of Anthem By Ayn Rand
570 Words | 3 PagesThe novel Anthem by Ayn Rand is set in a collective society. Collectivism by definition from Merriam Webster is, "emphasis on collective rather than individual action or identity”. Ayn Rand Was Very against Collectivism She shows this by making the main character, Equality 7-2521 an independent thinker. though he starts out being Compliant to Society's rules he always knew he was different.
Summary Of Anthem By Ayn Rand
1560 Words | 7 PagesThe Individuals Among the Collective Freedom is a difficult topic. All want it, but many don't know what it really means. Definitions of freedom vary from one group or individual to another. In many societies, individual freedom is restricted. Anthem tells the story of a futuristic society such as this where collectivism has taken over and the individual means nothing.
Examples Of Equality In Anthem
586 Words | 3 PagesThe Path Towards Equality In Anthem, Ayn Rand creates a world where unbroken laws erase individuality and displays the plea for control against anarchy in the world. The laws created prohibit individuals from standing out from one another, prevent individuality, and create a uniform “we” in order to keep people from thinking about themselves. Equality envisions a society that will not only destroy this “we” but it will also create a world of choice from the individuality gained with the word “I”. The pride that Equality grained throughout the story and his numerous transgressions will help direct his society in the direction he wants it to go.
Equality In Ayn Rand's Anthem
967 Words | 4 PagesA system of monstrous tyranny holds individuality captive making true happiness rare. When one is muted by society’s harsh regulations, they suffer internally and externally. In the novella Anthem, Ayn Rand creates a character named Equality who feels tremendous sorrow for the way his life is, but will eventually locate the power behind his own voice. He will use his experiences to guide his acts of defiance and overcome opposing obstacles. Dispar and the negative attitude of others pushed Equality to become determined to transform his life.
Collectivism In Ayn Rand's Anthem
641 Words | 3 PagesIn the case of Bill Gates, who is listed in an issue of this year’s Forbes as the richest man in the world, yet spends a decent amount of time attending to charity, we see that the ideals of collectivism can exist within the ideals of independence. Furthermore, in the U.S., our government provides us with social and entitlement programs which benefit many people and are thus beneficial to the common good. Proponents of extreme individualism and capitalism may argue against these programs, but when they or a family member suddenly need these services, it becomes beneficial to them to keep these programs alive. In the public school system, community service is generally encouraged, if not mandatory. This clearly benefits the common good, as it ensures there is a force out there working to fix up or perform services for the community, but many individuals who participated in these programs would contend (perhaps begrudgingly) that these programs benefited them mentally, intellectually, emotionally, physically, or any combination of the
Summary Of Anthem By Ayn Rand
1067 Words | 5 PagesIn the final chapters of the book, after Equality and The Golden One have discovered their new house and proposed to build a new life, they read books in its intact library and so discover the forbidden word, “I” (94). This discovery prompts Equality to radically overhaul his entire way of going through life, aligning it to Rand’s Objectivist philosophy. His focus on himself, illustrated through his obsession with the word I is show in the last two chapters of the book, where he latches on to the idea that devoting one’s life to only oneself is the only appropriate way to live life. Rand shows this with statements from Equality such as, “I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debts from them”(96). Equality is proclaiming that his life will be best lived in a purely selfish manner, where he will not take care of anyone else, but will not ask anyone to take care of him either.
Examples Of Individuality In Anthem By Ayn Rand
705 Words | 3 PagesIndividuality allows every person to be themselves and be different from each other. However, In Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem, Rand describes a society where the people were not allowed to openly be themselves, or else they would be punished for being different. The main character, Equality, notices he is different slowly throughout the novella, but kept continuing to be like everyone else for awhile. These rules exist in this society to strip human individuality in order to achieve total equality.
Equality's Desire For Knowledge In Anthem, By Ayn Rand
889 Words | 4 PagesEquality was motivated by a desire for knowledge and created a great invention because of it. Equality wanted to “harness this power”(page 71) and because of that and because he wanted to learn he achieved something great. Equality knows that with his invention he can “give our brothers a new light, cleaner and brighter than any they have ever known. ”(page 60). If everyone was as motivated as Equality the technology we would have would be amazing.
Equality 7-2521 Anthem Quotes
448 Words | 2 PagesExplain the following quote: “To be free, a man must be free of his brothers.” How does this quote exemplify a theme of anthem? In the novella Anthem by Ayn Rand, Equality is learning that men had freedom and individual names. Equality 7-2521 had his brothers and the council holding him back from his freedom and self-ego, equality 7-2521 is learning the people from the unmentionable times had names and not numbers, in the novella Anthem
Collectivism And Selfishness In Ayn Rand's Anthem
594 Words | 3 PagesCollectivism and Selfishness in Anthem Imagine living in a world where everybody's lives are completely mapped out by the government. Where every decision is made without the input of the citizens it affects. In the novella Anthem, Ayn Rand depicts a completely collectivist society, where every idea, action, and invention is purely for the benefit of society as a whole. Everything is done with the entire population in mind, and individuality is extremely frowned upon.
Use Of Light And Dark Imagery In Anthem By Ayn Rand
216 Words | 1 Pages17).In this quote Ayn Rand implies how equality is the only one who thinks differently from the community he lives in. and suggests that the light is his individuality and the darkness is the sameness in society. Another piece of evidence to support this is, “We can give our brothers a new light, cleaner and brighter than any they have
Essay On Equality And The Golden One In Ayn Rand's Anthem
948 Words | 4 PagesEquality does this by when he first falls in love with Liberty, he is obsessed. However, when his invention is rejected by the council, he starts to realize he doesn’t need to be in a group and in result, starts to love Liberty less. When he understand individuality fully, he becomes very selfish and doesn’t care for Liberty at all and thinks of her as an object. Equality felt he needed to be with a group and with Liberty. Through his journey he discovered that he doesn’t need to be with a group and can be independent.
Examples Of Collectivism In Anthem
1219 Words | 5 PagesVictory Over Collectivism “I”, one of the only one-letter words in the English language. Yet its power and meaning do not match its quantitative value. In the collectivist dictatorship found the in the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand, this word has disappeared and consequently, society has fallen into a dark age, all because of the loss of a single-lettered word. However, the hero of this time, Equality 7-2521, breaks down the barrier of the collectivist society and allows him to make advances that show him the power of the word “I” and the idea of individualism in government and in society. Although the word “I” has vanished from society, Equality is able to free himself from the collectivist government through the use of science and free thought,
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