Mackenzie Alpert Mrs. Mennenoh DCE 152-515 21 January 2023 Cursed Freedom In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, Equality 7-2125 is portrayed as both an independent, benevolent hero and a selfish narcissist. Equality was born with an exceptional intelligence curse in a collectivist society, but this is a sin because no man can be smarter than his brother. To accommodate, Equality sought to hide his curse by purposely forgetting his lessons, pretending to act like others of average intelligence, and intentionally misunderstanding his teacher’s content (Rand 21-22). Equality’s initial attempt to assimilate to his peers portrays his humble, good character. Additionally, his independence shows through his dedication to continue to explore. Although he fears …show more content…
Rather than inventing a transformative piece of technology for the sake of humanity, he invents it for his own personal gain thus demonstrating his selfishness. He initially considered his reinventions of electricity’s benevolence in society; however, he later admits “We had lied to ourselves. We have not built this box for the good of our brothers. We built it for its own sake. It is above our brothers to us, and its truth above their truth” (Rand 76). Besides, the knowledge and materials used to guide his discovery were obtained through burglary. Sneaking out of the City Theatre every night, Equality stole candles, flints, knives, paper, glass vitals, acids, and manuscripts to formulate his reinvention (Rand 35-36). Stealing, sneaking out, and self guided research are all transgressions of the council's society. His transgressive behavior for his own personal interest classifies him as a selfish narcissist. Equally, he feels no guilt in his delinquencies when he reveals “there is no shame in us and no regret. We say to ourselves that we are a wretch and a traitor. But we feel no burden upon our spirit and no fear in our heart” (Rand 37). Because he disregards the council's laws with no remorse, Equality exhibits his narcissistic
In Anthem by Ayn Rand we follow Equality 7-2521 as he goes against social customs to rediscover electricity. He knows that this is a sin because he is merely a street sweeper and isn’t worthy of being a scholar. Equality 7-2521 commits other sins as well, he shows favor towards International 4-8818 and Liberty 5-3000 even naming her the Golden One. After showing his rediscover to the World Council, Equality 7-2521 is disregarded for only the scholars are worthy of innovation. Before he can be fatally punished Equality 7-2521 flees into the Uncharted Forest, and is saddened because he knows that he will never see the Golden One again but also thankful for she deserves better than the Damned.
Everyone is taught very little history to avoid any sort of curiosity. Throughout Equalitys’ childhood, he is looked at very closely by his teachers for having too much curiosity and asking questions of the past. Later on in his life, the Council gives him the job as “Street Sweeper” to try and avoid any source of creative thought that may cause a ‘bigger problem’. The job he was given was of pure sinister motivation, because of his curiosity, his intelligence and the belief that his independence is evil. Growing up, Equality has wondered what is beyond what he has been told.
Equality 7-2521 thinks he is different, and he cannot help but commit the crime of choice. He tries to be like the other men, but he never will be. Equality 7-2521 is not very different from any other man, because every other man is struggling with the exact same thing as him. They all think they are different, and that they will be caught for this. Equality 7-2521 just cannot hide it like how these other men can.
Equality truly believes in what he is told, and he accepts it. He talks about how he feels that he is cursed, and that he is a bad person, “Such would have been our life, had we not committed our crime which changed all things for us. And it was our curse which drove us to our crime. We had been a good Street Sweeper and like all our brother Street Sweepers, save for our cursed wish to know. We looked too long at the stars at night, and at the trees and the earth.”(29).
Objectivism is easy to suppress but one of the hardest things to find. It is the result of doing what one loves, but is often repressed by others’ influence on individuals which is constantly expressed in Anthem, by Ayn Rand, and Steven Weir’s Dead Poets Society. In Anthem, the struggle to find the reason for individuality is limited by the power of the councils. Similarly, Dead Poets Society shows the endeavor to do what one loves being oppressed by the overpowering influence of others. While Rand’s novella Anthem and Weir’s Dead Poets Society are set in different eras in history, both utilize similar concepts of objectivism and conformity to accentuate man’s fundamental outlook of life that man needs to be more independent, acting for
Equality’s greatest strengths and personal qualities were intended to be restricted and abhorred. Indeed, Equality and his gifts were abhorred, but he found a way to circumvent each restriction, consciously or not. And, though he maintained use of his strengths and kept a strong spirit, Equality was never able to permanently influence the society because, as a Street Sweeper, he was no longer part of the great WE. The Council of Vocations mandated Equality to life as a Street Sweeper in order to limit his intellectual opportunities.
Equality-72521. With an inquisitive nature, an innovative mind, and latent desire, Equality withholds the traits of a visionary who advocates for individuality. Every step Equality takes, is one away from the public-spirited system. Another towards personal identity. Each step is an internal struggle, due to the communist machine’s brainwash and eloquent reprogram of Equality’s instinctive mind.
Imagine living in a society with the expectations of doing things solely for the sake of others rather than for one’s self- words, actions, ideas and thoughts that do not fulfill the benefits of everyone else are not allowed. Ayn Rand introduces this concept through the dystopian society in her novel, Anthem. Throughout the novel, Rand shows the lack of freedom and choice within the society which highly resembles the real-life dystopia in North Korea. The country is recognized for disciplined citizens and a strong dictatorship. The great leader controls citizens actions and choices, limiting their self-interest.
The story “Anthem” by Ayn Rand is a dystopian novel that shows how freedom is an important right. The story is based on a character named Equality 7-521 and the society is all about being equal. There is no freedom, every choice is decided for you. You cannot speak for yourself and are not allowed to use the word “i”. If you think highly of yourself it is a sin.
Throughout the novel Equality 7-2521 had been living a sort of double life. He would work his assigned job as a street sweeper, then he would go and work on his electricity box. He finally gathered the courage to present his great finding to the council. The council looked down upon Equality in disgust one member went as far to say, “And if the Councils had decreed that you should be a Street Sweeper, how dared you think that you could be of greater use to man than in sweeping the streets” (72). This is the council's way of humbling Equality in telling him that he is no use to any of his brothers other than sweeping the streets.
When Equality and his friend International 4-8818 discover a hole covered with a metal grate, Equality insists that, even though it is forbidden by the laws, they shall nevertheless explore it (Rand 31). Throughout his underground exploration, Equality comes across tools of the Great Before, and through tinkering with the objects, invents electricity, which should represent a positive milestone; however, his achievement’s value diminishes as he lets his curiosity get the better of him. Regardless of the type or time period of society, stealing is immoral, unfair to others, and simply not allowed; yet Equality pilfers nightly to appease his curiosity. He steals “candles from the Home of the Street Sweepers [...] flints and knives and paper [...] glass vials and powders and acids
In response to the choice of Street Sweeper, Equality thinks, “We knew we had been guilty, but now we had a way to atone for it” (26). With his intelligence and curiosity, Equality would do much better as a Scholar. The government punishes him for being different, and as a result, they can’t see him become advantageous. They are blinded by their beliefs on
With 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
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
The council did everything to make him less of a danger to their society, such as leaving him Street Sweeper that requires no knowledge. As a Street Sweeper, Equality 7-2521 is restricted the resources needed in order to reach his goal of learning. The council also turned away Equality’s glass box because it is “dangerous” to the society. The council is Equality 7-2521’s biggest nemesis resorting in him escaping the