Throughout the novella Anthem by Ayn Rand it can be seen that the lack of individualism in the society affects the people living in it. The characters in Anthem lack the individuality that is needed for a society to advance quickly. One example can be seen in the main character Equality. He learns very quickly compared to the other students in his class giving him an advantage which he cannot control. The lack of individualism and it’s issues can also be seen when Equality takes the light bulb to the council leaving them in awe and fear.
Equality explains that he wants a society filled with his few secret friends and the misfits of the city he ran away from, that practices the old ways of living from the Unmentionable Times. “Here, on this mountain, I and my sons and my chosen friends shall build our new land and our fort” (Rand 104). This, obviously, eliminates the idea of equality not allowing friendship and love in this new society. The next rule Equality shows that he would like to eliminate is describing one’s individual self as “We,” in fact making it seem shameful to refer to oneself as such. “What brought it to pass?
Equality, in the book, has a preference of International 4-8818, they are friends, even if their society forbids it; In Equality’s new society I believe he will give all men freedom to have friends. I also believe that Equality can see how the differences that each person has can be an asset to the new world because they will all possess different strengths that could be useful to the new world he
Another person that stands out about being Egoistic, is the main character named Equality. When Equality finally gets away from the tainted society he’s finally happy, but when he finds out he’s being followed, the Golden one came, (Anthem Rand) and fault by her she bowed. Equality thinks now he can do what he want to now. So later he name him and her, why can’t she name herself? Equality is a little more justified in being selfish, because not anyone can up and leave their beliefs from when they were very
As soon as he discovers electric lighting, he writes in his journal, “We can light our tunnel, and the City, and all the Cities of the world with nothing save metal and wires. We can give our brothers a new light, cleaner and brighter, than any they have ever known.” (Rand 60). Equality’s selflessness is exemplified when he wishes to share his light, one he believes he’s created and tamed by himself, for the betterment of the world. Throughout Anthem, Equality helps others and wishes to share his knowledge to others. Though Equality starts Anthem with no knowledge of selfishness, raised in a society that forces all to work for the good of all, he ends Anthem by wishing to liberate those oppressed by the lies of the
Someone needs to arouse Equality’s primal instinct that has been buried by his camaraderie, and her name is Liberty. “Their body was straight and thin as a blade of iron. Their eyes were dark and hard and glowing, with no fear in them, no kindness and no guilt. […] They threw seeds from their hand as if they deigned to fling a scornful gift, and the earth was as a beggar under their feet” (49). For the first time Equality feels desire and knows pain.
Judging the morals in life regarding different societies expectations quickly became the focus of Equality’s thoughts, exactly as Ayn Rand had made it the importance of her own efforts. Objectivism is different from what many people live by, but it worked for Equality by the end of Anthem. It is important to realize everybody needs different things, which leads to thinking diversely. Some need self-respect to be able to give respect, and others live their life following instead of leading. It is impossible however, to say objectivism needs to vanish when it never has before, more so, the world would be unbalanced with only equal thoughts from all; there would be no innovation if all thoughts were for the same narrow concept.
Seeing my own family member put their life in danger to save millions of others does not add up to someone kneeling on the sideline during the National Anthem. The flag represents freedom and justice and those who are being oppressed feel as though these certain rights are being taken away and that is why it is okay for someone to kneel during the National Anthem. While many people believe that kneeling during the National Anthem is wrong and is disrespectful to the country’s ideals, what many Americans do not realize is that if they look past their beliefs and try
Individuality’s Role in Society Anthem is a dystopian novel written by Russian author Ayn Rand in 1937. Ayn Rand was avid about the importance of the individual, and she supported a hands off government, where the people define and sustain themselves. Ayn Rand’s interest in the government’s effect on society certainly led into her creation of Anthem. At the start of the novel, Equality 7-2521, the protagonist, writes from a secluded tunnel and shares about the dystopian society he lives in which prevents education, and individualism. The society prevents individuals from learning on their own, having questions, doubting their elders, and threatens any sort of rebellion or individuality with extreme punishment.
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. Being brought up in a closeted, colorless society, Equality knows nothing but what he is “meant” to be. Unfortunately, for him, he is far more than the