Summary Of Anthem By Ayn Rand
“We, Equality 7-2521, have discovered a new power,” (Rand 52). Ayn Rand’s dystopian novel, Anthem, the society in the book is taught from birth to think only in plural which has gone so far that the words such as “I” was abolished and anyone who would say or do anything alone would be punished/ burned. The main character, Equality 7-2521, discovers light for the first time. Equalities discoveries and experiments helped him first start to question his existence. After the discovery of light and electricity he brings it to the house of scholars where it gets turned down which sends him on a path of running away and a steep slope to selfishness.
In the beginning of the book Equality does not argue much with the society and their rules, he is very
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When equality goes to give the light box to the house of scholars, he shows them it and they become afraid. He then starts to try and persuade them to take the gift for the better of his brothers. When he is talking to them he starts to shows signs of selfishness, “let us be one of you, the humblest among you” (Rand 71). How Ayn Rand showed that Equality was moving on to becoming selfish because when he told them that he would be the, “humblest” among them they replied in a very negatively and also saying that he is evil way which shows that no one has ever said that before because of the way they acted so surprised to him when he said that statement that makes him think that he’s better than his brothers. When he is in his cave playing with the light box, he turns it on in the dark and see his hands, he then goes to think to himself in a more self aware perspective, “we wish it were possible to us to know the likeness of our own person”(Rand 62). When equality becomes self away because of his light box because when he looked at his hand he then asks what he looks like which makes him a lot more selfish in this society because in that society they don’t wonder or question their brothers to what they look like. Since Equality thought about what he looks like and how he told the house of scholars that he is better than them, he then starts to take a very steep slope down into
Theme Of Conformity In Ayn Rand's Anthem
1180 Words | 5 Pages“Conformity is the jailer of freedom, and the enemy of growth” (John F. Kennedy). The novella “Anthem” written by Ayn Rand expresses the battle between one's self and conformity through the character Equality 7-2521. Equality 7-2521 struggles to conform within the collectivism of his society. As he grows through life he realizes how divergent he really is from his fellow brothers. Through his actions Equality slowly discovers the importance of egoism in a society.
Equality 7-2521 In Ayn Rand's Anthem
665 Words | 3 PagesIn the book, “Anthem” we explore inside the mind of Equality 7-2521 and how his mindset changes from “We” to “Me”, making him a very dynamic character. Equality 7-2521 is in a sense a more “Superior” being to his peers and those around him. He possesses a bright and adventurous mind; it’s almost like he doesn’t have any weaknesses at all. The only visible trace of weakness is the guilt inherited from his society about pursuing his own happiness. As the story progresses Equality starts to evolve beyond the guilt which he has endured for so long.
What Does The Uncharted Forest Symbolize In Anthem
1190 Words | 5 PagesEquality has always been one step ahead of his superiors, and understands that the others in his previous society are the real Damned ones. Equality is able to continue growing from the harsh experiences he suffers through in his previous society. Equality continues to chuckle at being Damned, since he ran away with his invention into the Uncharted Forest, all the while free from living in a society burdened by altruism and conformity. Not only can he quench his lifelong thirst for knowledge, Equality can continue to bring back the advancements of the Unmentionable Times. Equality learns to think for himself, and to not let others creep into his mind and prevent him from achieving what is deemed as impossible.
Summary Of Anthem By Ayn Rand
570 Words | 3 PagesEquality was assigned to be a street sweeper, he starts out with the attitude of a person brainwashed to work for the collective. He expresses this by saying, “we would accept our life mandate, and we would work for our brothers, gladly, and willingly” (Ayn Rand 26). It isn’t until later he truly realizes that the society is stuck in the past. He re-invents the light bulb, to not only try and move up in the world and impress the council, but also to change the way society worked. Equality feels a sense of pride even though he is no longer only working for the good of the
Summary Of Anthem By Ayn Rand
1560 Words | 7 PagesThis 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.
How Is Equality Revealed In Anthem By Ayn Rand
740 Words | 3 PagesEquality being a miserable Street Sweeper wished to be part of something more important in his society. This was understood to be the Council of Scholars. He believed that, “No single one can possess greater wisdom than the many Scholars. ” (Rand, 54) Equality always had a burning thirst to join the Council of Scholars since he was a little boy, but was very shocked, in the beginning of the story, when he was placed in the position of a Street Sweeper.
Summary Of Individuality In Ayn Rand's Anthem
1128 Words | 5 PagesIn Ayn Rand’s novella, Anthem, mankind is a philanthropic machine. The brotherhood nobly works together to achieve a common goal. In doing so, each man is asked to disregard his own personal means and goals. For every decision must be a collective thought and every advancement, a joint action. However, one man in this machine malfunctions.
Equality's Quest For Freedom In Anthem, By Ayn Rand
970 Words | 4 PagesFrom the beginning to the end of the story Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, Equality is limited to any type of freedom in his strict society. He was limited to writing, interacting with others, and even self expression, for they are looked upon as sins. Although Equality believed he sinned at the beginning of the story, he realized his society was limiting him to any type of discovery, this including the Unmentionable Times and the Unspeakable Word. This gave him the push to be his own person and take a stand against the people whom he calls “his brothers.” Equality’s final actions are correct, for his actions speak more as an act of curiosity, rather than a sin.
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.
Anthem By Ayn Rand: Character Analysis
1024 Words | 5 PagesEquality has an internal conflict within the novella, which is, the mind must be free to act and think about its own findings. In Anthem, Ayn Rand shows her character, Equality 7-2521, of being critical of the totalitarian society
'Freedom In Ayn Rand's Anthem'
923 Words | 4 PagesThrough the stimulation of questioning, Equality makes brazen discoveries and challenges the beliefs of the society, which draws him closer to the liberation of his
Anthem Essay On Equality
559 Words | 3 PagesWith all of his experience that nobody has known in at least a century he is extremely capable of deciding whether of his choices are right. His personality keeps him from giving up hope and giving up on his society and his companion but keeps him curious enough to keep searching for something better in life. Equality has aged to the point where he thinks he needs to change the world and will try to do so. Most would believe that Equality’s actions were righteous and could not contemplate that his actions were
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.
The Importance Of Equality In Anthem By Ayn Rand
1598 Words | 7 PagesEquality can be a wonderful thing in kindergarten. However once an individual passes the tender age of five it is time to begin learning the lessons of the world. The first of such lessons is that nothing in life is equal or fair. Not all people have the same talents or weaknesses, therefore, true equality is near impossible without limiting other people 's freedoms. In the novella Anthem by Ayn Rand, they have created a society with total equality, and total unhappiness .
Collectivism And Selfishness In Ayn Rand's Anthem
594 Words | 3 PagesThere's so much emphasis on putting others before oneself that people often forget to look out for their own needs, as shown in this book. Ayn Rand successfully captures the negatives of an overrated ideology and presents an unorthodox perspective on the matter. In conclusion, Equality's true motives behind his work are much more selfish than they first appear to be. Equality strives to fulfil his own personal desire rather than contribute everything to society, and this isn't necessarily a negative thing.
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