The Theme Of Self-Reliance In Anthem By Ayn Rand

Could you imagine living in a world where you were not your own individual? In the book Anthem, by Ayn Rand, everyone is the same and no one can be “better” or more intelligent than each other. In this book, the characters can not even speak the word “I” without getting executed. Think about having rules that restrict individuals from having their own thoughts, ideas, and opinions. In the book Anthem, the readers will discover that these rules and restrictions become a reality.

“To be free, a man must be free of his brothers.” This quote means a lot if you really think about it. This quote has meaning beyond meaning. It puts mankind in their place. It separates “We” from “I”. You’ll never know yourself until you be yourself.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a collectivist society.

Parents are the biggest influence upon their children. From the time a child is born to the time they leave the household, the values that the parents hold are instilled into their children. Parents are required to make crucial decisions about how to raise their children in order to guide them through the inevitable obstacles and hardships of life. In The Glass Castle, many would argue the lack of care and responsibility the Walls had for their children. The author, Jeannette Walls, uses Rex and Mary Walls to demonstrate that their strong traits of non-conformity, self-sufficiency and perseverance are passed on to their children, allowing them to develop to their full potential. Children are dependent on their parents to

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.

In Ayn Rand’s novella, Anthem, mankind is a philanthropic machine. To achieve a common goal, the brotherhood disregards personal ambitions and nobly collaborates. Each decision of the mechanized society is compelled by spurious collective thought, and their so called advancements, by joint action. However, one man in this machine malfunctions: Equality-72521. With an inquisitive nature, an innovative mind, and latent desire, Equality possesses the traits of a visionary. 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 computerized brainwash and eloquent reprogram of Equality’s instinctive mind. But nature tells Equality that his DNA

Is it possible that Equality didn’t make a wise decision during his time in Anthem? Should he have given away his light bulb so the scholars would destroy it?

We live in a society in which conformity is not only encouraged but often rewarded. As my grandfather used to always say, “It’s the [penguin] who is different that gets left out in the cold.” Sure, many try to push the narrative that we ought to lead, and that being divergent is what makes one “special.” But while this may be true in a purely academic sense, socially, those who do not abide by unspoken norms are typically outcast as pariahs; they are considered the “undesirables.” As such, many teenagers change their personality by emulating others in attempt to gain acceptance into certain social cliques. This inevitably eliminates all aspects of their personality that make them unique: their creative thinking, their quirky behaviors, and unfortunately in some cases their innovative ideas.

In 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-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. But nature tells Equality that his DNA is nothing save himself. Nature tells Equality that individuality is man’s birthright. Man’s one true victory. It

The word “I” has a significant impact on our society. Its absence gradually lowers our society to have unjust expectations of people, and allow those expectations to influence our government. The book Anthem, by Ayn Rand, is an example of this occurrence. There is no use of the word “I”, “my”, or any word that implies individuality, as it has been prohibited by the government.

Individuality is defined as the quality that makes one person or thing different from all others. However, individuality does not exist in all societies. Anthem by Ayn Rand, is set in a dystopian society where collectivism is believed to be supreme, and individuality is considered taboo. Equality 7-2521 is a Street Sweeper who questions the collectivist society that he lives in. Equality 7-2521 is a gifted individual who is different from his peers in the fact that he has personal interests. Equality 7-2521 wants to be in the Council of Scholars so he can pursue his interest in science. However, the Council of Vocations gives him the job of Street Sweeper. During the novel Anthem, the Council of Vocations assigns the profession of Street Sweeper

Some people believe they are able to naturally live their own lives while others believe they need to prepare for it. The authors, Jon Krakauer and David Epstein provide two contrasting examples about the topic. The author of Into The Wild, Jon Krakauer, talks about a student that makes his own choices to live on his own. The author of The Sports Gene, David Epstein, argues that innate talent has given an advantage on athletic practice. Krakauer answers the prompt “How much of what happens in our lives do we actually control?” more convincingly than Epstein because of stronger evidence, rhetoric, and logical reasoning.

more than part of the group. They do not know the word “I”, and they

Ayn Rand presents an argument against individual rights in her essay, Man’s Rights. She believes that these rights do not actually exist outside of the right to life and the right to property; or less specifically, the right to action. Many critics see flaws in her argument however, finding flaws in her reasoning.

The exterior matters or opinions of others should never constrain us. As Mary Kay Ash, a successful businesswoman said, “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” We can accomplish anything we set our minds to; the sky is the limit. No matter the outcome of my choices, I am determined to passionately follow my heart and make my own decisions.