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Theme Of Happiness In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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As one race in one kingdom sharing one phylum, it is easy to think that everyone is the same. That people have no difference and it would be better if every human was all the same. From head to toe, there are differences, different clothing styles, different hair, and yes, even different skin color. Looking even deeper there are different likes, dislikes, passions, and humor. As humans we think individually, making us unique. As humans, we are all struggling to be happy. Often one is too confined within the walls of society, trapped by what the world tells one to do, to chase what makes one happy. Pursuing happiness can often be unconventional in the eyes of society and that it is also important to break away and be different. The novel Anthem by Ayn Rand demonstrates society …show more content…

Ego means one's self-importance. At the end of the book, Equality says “The sacred word: ego” (Rand 105). With using the word ego he is mocking the society. He is saying that I don't fear my self-worth because that does not make me conceited. He is saying that he will explore what he wants, think how he wants, and be who he is because that brings him happiness. By mocking society he is allowing himself to be an outsider; but in his eyes that's the best way to live. His primary motivation allows him to come to his conclusion, and he is finally able to find out his true self. He also starts using the forbidden word “I am” (Rand 94). He is not wrong in his actions if he is happy in them. This use of “I” illuminates the fact that the light bulb gave him joy and the power to walk away. It expresses how he is no longer afraid to conform. That he is happy and that exploring the light bulb was a positive thing and that his motivations were pure. The motivations were pure because of the fact that he it wasn't out to change society. By exploring the light bulb he did find what he was looking for:

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