Summary Of Anthem By Ayn Rand

The 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. Anthem tells the story of Equality 7-2521, a Street Sweeper, who defies and triumphs over the repressive nature of his collective society. The book’s author, Ayn Rand, utilizes many strategies to show the evolution of the theme of individual freedom as the plot progresses. The most effective of these are philosophy and style. She explains some of her basic principles

This violates the principles of Objectivism by mankind being taught to be irrational, although rationality is a natural quality of any human. In addition, “‘... he must work for his rational self-interest, with the acheivement of his own happiness as the highest moral purpose of his life.’ Thus Objectivism rejects any form of altruism- the claim that morality consists in living for others or society” (Rand 261). So, Rand’s opposition to altruism is shown by the beliefs of Equality’s society by them also violating her philosophy. By creating a corrupt society that puts the group ahead of the individual, Rand explains her opposition to and the consequences of collectivism or altruism. Later, when Equality discovers electricity and presents it to the Scholars, he still doesn’t completely know of the nature of them and expects them to be amazed by and embrace this knowledge (Novels for Students). However, when they ferociously reject his idea, he finally sees that the Scholars are truly not as wise as it is said and that these leaders pull society as a whole down to their lower level of both strength and intelligence (Novels for Students). Through this display of

A major component of this is the point of view she used: telling the story from Equality 7-2521’s perspective. It helps to set up the story by showing his society’s effect on individual lives. Because it teaches that “‘We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, one, indivisible and forever’”, one may only refer to themselves as “we”, another as “they”, or something of theirs as “our” (Rand 19). This is a result of the collective ideas that “there are no men” and individuals are entitled to nothing; only the collective is. It can be seen how this brainwashing has affected Equality early in the book as he says, “Our name is Equality 7-2521… We are twenty-one years old. We are six feet tall…” (Rand, 18). This aspect wouldn’t be recognized as easily if the story had been told in third person; the significance of “we” would not be as powerful. Also, through Equality’s view, the reader can hear his voice and the “archaic language” Rand used for a futuristic setting in order to show the regression of humanity by forming to a completely collective society (Short Story Criticism). The importance of “we” becomes especially profound when, near the end of the story, Equality discovers “I”. The reader instantly sees a change when he says, “I am. I think. I will. My hands... My spirit... My sky... My forest... This earth of mine... What must I