Symbols In Ayn Rand's Anthem

The Paragon of Freedom Equality is something strived for by society, to liberate ourselves of oppression and be ourselves unconditionally. But, equality cannot be achieved by the oppression of others, it will only cause others to retaliate or resist. This can be seen in Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem, where she depicts this exactly, the protagonist, Equality, is a young man who has been assigned the job of a street sweeper by his society. Equality has grown up being wrongly taught that the individual is subordinate to the whole society, therefore being oppressed by a collectivist society; due to his inquisitive nature, sense of self, and desire for self-improvement, he is able to break free and practice individualism rather than the oppression he faced during his time in collectivist society.

There are many examples of irony in Anthem that the author uses to carry the plot and deepen the story and an example of irony that some people don't get until later in the book is the idea of "we". Therefore it is ironic that a person wouldn't know the word for one's self. The definition of irony is "the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. " The use of we is to really push the idea that Equality 7-2521 only thinks as a group. This example is dramatic irony because the readers of Anthem know that Equality 7-2521 is an individual yet still calls himself "we".

Unlike during the Unmentionable Times, when men created “towers [that] rose to the sky,” it is an affliction to be born with powerful intellectual capacity and ambition in Ayn Rand’s apocalyptic, nameless society in Anthem. Collectivism is ostensibly the moral guidepost for humanity, and any perceived threat to the inflexible, authoritarian regime is met with severe punishment. The attack on mankind’s free will and reason is most evident in the cold marble engraving in the Palace of the World Council: “We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, One, indivisible and forever” (6). Societal norms force homogeneity and sacrifice among all people.

Moral codes are very important in a society. In order to have a great society, the morals must be clear and have a sturdy foundation. By the end of the Anthem, Equality 7-2521 has become very critical of leaders in his society, denouncing them in moral terms. Equality 7-2521 is correct in judging the leaders in his society. Equality 7-2125 would agree with Ayn Rand’s article, "How does One Lead a Rational Life in an Irrational Society?”

Based on a man named Equality 7-2521, Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, tells his story as a captive. He was not ordinary like everyone else but was very different in many aspects. He was said to be cursed due to his great height, his intelligence, and his forever wandering mind. Equality 7-2521 was smarter than the other students he learned with. According to the Councils over the captives, everyone should be one or in unity.

Anthem by Ayn Rand is about a young boy named Equality 7-2521, age 21. Who had recreated electricity, and wanted to show the council to get himself into the home of the scholars. He terrified them all and ran off into the uncharted forest. Where he sees a house full of books. It all finally leads him to believe that you are not free, if you’re not free of your brothers.

Throughout Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem, numerous objects and occurrences symbolize much more than what they are presented as. Of the more obvious symbols, light has the largest impact on the course of the story. The most important instance of light centers around Equality 7-2521’s re-invention of the light bulb. Rand uses light to provide a religious, mythic feeling to the acts of Equality 7-2521 and how he symbolizes light himself. In a society where all men and women are one equal and single minded being; Equality 7-2521 becomes the lone source of individuality and a beacon of light to the people of this oppressed civilization.

In "Anthem" by Ayn Rand, there's a big similarity between the society of The Brotherhood and the Declaration of Independence. In the Declaration of Independence it says that all men are created equal and in Anthem all men are really created equally. The men in Anthem are created so equally that they refer to themselves as "we" because, almost is as if they're an individual. Although the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence was the Americans separating from the British after realizing that the British country is small,we can see that some of the ideals in the Declaration of Independence are tantamount to those in Anthem. Anthem reveals that Equality isn't the same to the others in the story which makes him stand out in being the equal to all of them, which is quite ironic because his name is Equality.

An individual in an authoritarian socialist society has no ability to prosper because it is in the best interest of the government to keep the people down. This allows for easy control over the people by the government. In Anthem, you are held back as an individual and are not allowed to prosper because goes against your brothers. If you have “What is not done collectively cannot be good”(Rand 73). The quote was said by a scholar in anthem.

The United States of America is one of the most prideful countries in the world. We dedicate July 4th to our independance, proudly wear red, white, and blue, and we join together in many rhymes of patriotism. The Pledge of Allegiance is one of the many ways we show our pride towards our country. In the novel Anthem, by Ayn Rand, a scripture reminiscent of the pledge is repeated by the narrator in times of temptation. The scripture, however, sends a very different message.

He searches for development of individual morality, but is struck dry by the restrictive society, by which he is forced to be, think, and live like everyone else, average and accepting. However, throughout, Anthem, by Ayn Rand, Equality’s view of morality transforms from group mentality and collectivism to individualism and independence due to the discovery of his true purpose for living; himself. Through the control of their citizens, Equality’s initial society forces him to feel guilt and loneliness through his differences, but as he discovers the rationalisation of his independence, he begins to develop a moral existence. In the beginning of the novella, Anthem, Equality is bound to his “brothers”, in a society of total equality, for which he is forced to sacrifice his intelligence and curiosity to fit the ideal of the equal being.

If they don’t like what somebody does, they push them deeper, until they cannot see who they are. For an example let us go to page 63. Equality hides a secret from a council member, and through the bare of bickering, Equality is then sentenced to being lashed bare. Because a person utilizing what would be known as freedom of speech, they get whipped? What world is this to ask for the basic human right to be stripped from the humans themselves?

As hateful as the world is, humans tend to admire one another. Whether it is because of beauty or positive character traits, most people have role models. An excellent example of a role model is Liberty 5-3000, a primary character in Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem. She is pursued by the main character, Equality 7-2521, and they share a forsaken bond in spite of their society’s laws. While Liberty is a criminal in her society, she is a beautiful, resilient hero in modern society.

Anthem’s opening line, “It is a sin to write this,” creates a significant theme of guilt within Equality’s own mind, and it injects the theme of the importance of purity and morality by provoking Equality’s eventual assessment and recognition that society’s view of sin does not reconcile with his

His primary motivation was making his invention alone even though it was against the law. Equality is right to feel motivated this way because he has put the time and effort into his light bulb and he has invented something that the House of Scholars fear. He takes pride and joy for the work he has done. The world would not be the same if everyone had the same motivation! There will be no competition, you will not be able to motivate yourself to achieve your goals, the world would turn into a dictatorship, and people will not be unique and different from their