ipl-logo

The Pledge Of Allegiance In Ayn Rand's Anthem

576 Words3 Pages

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. At first glance, they seem similar, but the Pledge of Allegiance and the scripture in Anthem are almost entirely opposites. The Pledge of Allegiance is a declaration of our country being united, strong individuals. The first words are, “I pledge…” which acknowledges one’s …show more content…

The entire scripture does not mention any personal pronouns, the same way these are left out in everyday life. It’s based on “we” pledging, removing all sense of self from each being. It’s forced, as pledging from “we” means it’s coming from everyone, so to say otherwise would most likely be deemed evil. They aren’t pledging to much, either. It’s all based on the allegiance to concept of being one. In full, the scripture is, “We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, One, indivisible and forever” (Rand 14). In the Pledge of Allegiance they pledge under god, but there is nothing to pledge under in this society. Ultimately, someone holds the power, but the idea projected by the society’s existence itself is unquestionable equality. This being said, there isn’t much depth to the scripture, as looking too deep will lead you to a dead end. There is little logic behind it, and overall doesn’t make too much sense. An individual pledging for its entire community by themselves without their own identity is one large paradox that doesn’t add up, no matter which way you try to solve

Show More
Related

  • Comparing Ayn Rand's Anthem And Their Society

    204 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the book Anthem their society is way different from ours. They are not allowed to be individual or say the word “I”. They can’t have names, instead they are in groups and have group names. They all have a part in society like their jobs and things they do. For example the equality group belong to the street sweepers.

    Read More

  • Irony In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    170 Words  | 1 Pages

    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".

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Douglass And David Myrdal

    1933 Words  | 8 Pages

    Among the values of the Creed, Myrdal specifically notes “the essential dignity of the individual human being,” “the fundamental equality of all men,” and “certain inalienable rights to freedom [and] justice” (4). These are the values to which both Lincoln and Douglass aspire in their definitions of political religion, despite their joint recognition that the United States had a long way to go in order to truly achieve them. Myrdal contends that the American Constitutional principles that remain in place in the modern era “are liberal and some, indeed, are radical,” but also recognizes that the nation often fails to live up to them; he claims that America has “[kept] to liberalism as a national creed even if not as its actual way of life” (7, 12). This has resulted in a so-called “cult of the Constitution,” something Douglass addresess as both fanatical and misplaced in his invocation of republican religion (12). Douglass mentions the role of ambiguous terminology in establishing this cult in his speech as well, something Myrdal cements through his description of liberty as “a vague ideal” that is thus “easie[r] to reach” than its better defined compatriots

    Read More

  • Allusions In Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

    837 Words  | 4 Pages

    In his Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln employed various allusions to the Bible in order to show that the Civil War was a form of divine punishment for slavery that could only be amended through “the providence of God” (5). His purpose in his address was to restore hope in the citizens of the Union, and he accomplished this by utilizing Bible verses to create an ethical appeal to the idea that through God, America would be able to prosper in the face of opposition. This shows that Lincoln was well aware of the pride that Americans felt in the idea that the United States is God’s nation, and for many people, this firm belief still exists today. A second example that utilizes the idea that the United States is controlled by the hands of God in order to invoke pride and nationalism is Emmanuel Leutze’s famous painting George Washington Crossing the Delaware. In the painting, an aura of light surrounds George Washington and the American

    Read More

  • Significance Of The Collectivist Pledge In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    1186 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Collectivist Pledge Anthem by Ayn Rand tells a tale of a young man, who finds himself in a collectivist society, where the individual is effaced, and replaced with the facade of a perfect whole. Rulers of these oppressive and marxist states unravel the entire concept of “ego” through guilt and the institution of false gratitude, and this method of control remains relevant today through similar societies as seen in Anthem. Ayn Rand has taken my perception of these ideals and societies and has entirely stretched it to the far side of the spectrum of political identities in order to expose me to a often overlooked reality a reality of control and positively interpreted ignorance. Ayn Rand’s depiction of a restrictive collectivist society

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Individualism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    393 Words  | 2 Pages

    Friedrich Ludwig Jahn said, “The secret of living in peace with all people lies in the art of understanding each one by his own individuality.” To find peace and live in harmony, people need to know and embrace each person’s individuality. Although the people in Anthem are supposed to be happy and peaceful, they are not permitted to have a sense of individualism. Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem illustrates the importance of each person in society having an individual identity to true peace and happiness. Rand expresses this philosophy through the main character Equality who discovers freedom and self-worth for himself.

    Read More

  • Anthem Vs Declaration Of Independence

    208 Words  | 1 Pages

    Even today in our society we still follow The Declaration of Independence. The quote "All men are created equally" for us mean that, All U.S citizen are the same, we have have the same equal rights and no one is differently when it comes to laws. In the novelette equality

    Read More

  • Should The Pledge Of Allegiance Be Mandatory

    481 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Pledge of Allegiance has been a national tradition to recite in America since it was first invented in 1892. In just a few small sentences, Americans have recited this short poem in baseball games, schools, and even small or large conferences. However, there is one controversy that has been fought that is based on the national poem. The original pledge was shorter than what most American's know today. The original pledge did not have the part “Under God” in its passages and has become a controversial topic for a long time.

    Read More

  • Liberty As A Role Model In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    842 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis Of Equality 7-2521 In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    237 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the beginning of the Anthem written by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 was always told to act like his brothers, he was punished and disciplined as a child. They even state the same saying before bed each night, “We are all and all for one, there is no we only the great we, one indivisible and forever. ”(Chapter 1, Paragraph 8) Equality 7-2521 even states “We repeat this to ourselves, but it helps us not. ”(Chapter 1, Paragraph 9), basically he is saying that he has said this saying his whole life before he goes to bed, but he doesn't believe in what he states.

    Read More

  • Figurative Language In The Book Anthem

    352 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the book anthem by Ayn Rand starts off by saying that “Its is a sin to write this.” Why does he start the character by saying these words? in the book the main character is named equality 7-2521 and in his society they have taught him differently than ours. in mentioned in pg 19 “we are one in all and all in one there are no men but only the great we , one, indivisible forever.” The people in equalities society were taught by using the word “we” not

    Read More

  • Explain What The Pledge Of Allegiance Mean To Me

    317 Words  | 2 Pages

    We are one nation under god. It means that we are all given liberty and justice. It doesn’t matter what skin color or what religion you are, we all have liberty and justice. The words “One nation, under god” means a lot to me.

    Read More

  • Individual Rights And Freedom In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    749 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the novella Anthem, individual rights and freedom do not exist. The word “I” is prohibited to be spoken by men. Equality 7-2521 is a street sweeper of the city and he is different from the others in the society. Equality is more intelligent, taller, learns quicker, and he enjoys learning about science; especially how things move and work. Since the word “I” is the unspeakable word, Equality uses the word “We” to resemble that he is doing these actions .

    Read More

  • Losing Individuality In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    530 Words  | 3 Pages

    How could losing individuality affect a society? The novel Anthem by Ayn Rand is about a guy named Equality 7-2521 who is trying to find himself in a society where everything is controlled and different. Later, he finds himself even though he will have to go through many obstacles to get there. The process behind losing individuality in an Anthem’s society are in forcing strict laws, brain washing of their citizens, and removing of family. The Anthem society in forcing of strict laws made it easy for everyone to lose their individuality.

    Read More

  • Do We Need God In The Pledge By Jay Sekulow Analysis

    666 Words  | 3 Pages

    The very first line is proof of this “It’s a statement of patriotism not religion” (Sekulow). Sekulow is saying that if a person does not believe that the words “under God” belong in the Pledge that they are not patriotic

    Read More

More about The Pledge Of Allegiance In Ayn Rand's Anthem

Open Document