...“We strive to be like our brother men, all men must be alike”(Rand 19). In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, the society lacks individualism. However in Equality’s case he constantly feels that “we were born with a curse. it has always driven us to thoughts which are forbidden”(18). Equality only feels that he is cursed because of the standards in the society. The true reason for the “sin” Equality committed was due to the pressure of collectivism from the society he lived in. Although the actions he committed were seen as a sin in his society, Equality has a correct moral assessment of these sins because of his self-individuality and egoism in his own pursuit of happiness. Equality has always stuck out among his brothers when it came to his wits. In...
Words: 827 - Pages: 4
...Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual. Individualism is something thats makes a person one, giving them the right to be an individual, the freedom to equality. In the novel Anthem By Ayn Rand individualism is a central idea explored through the story. The main character Equality 7-2521 is living in a society where the concept of individuality is non existent, he is very curious about the world he lives in and the science and nature that surrounds it. But unfortunately it's a sin to think/wonder such things and that it's not good to be different from his brothers but it is evil to be superior to them. According to the text it states (Rand 6) “We...
Words: 826 - Pages: 4
...Ego is a word that can be considered good or bad. In many ways, it can inspire a sense of individualism in a person. However, too much egoism can make someone into a narcissistic jerk. In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, the main protagonist Prometheus is not an egoist because even though he is thinking of his own wants and needs, he is also always thinking about how he is going to help the others in his society. In a way, it was bad that he thought of his own wants so much, because he ended up getting severely punished for it. However, if he hadn't gone through those struggles then his life wouldn’t be the same. Like in the speech the “The Soul of an Individualist,” from one of Rand’s other books The Fountainhead, Prometheus wanted to show what he made for the good of everyone, but ended up being shunned for being an individual. Even from the very beginning of the novel, Prometheus always seemed to pay attention to others, giving the reader little notes about who they were or what was...
Words: 695 - Pages: 3
...Anthem Theme Essay In Anthem, a big theme is individualism. Because of society, you are not allowed to be yourself. It is like an ant colony; you have to do everything that makes the ruler happy even if it doesn’t fit you. Another way individuality is taken from the people is that they cannot say the word “I”, and refer to themselves as “we”. At the end of this novel, the main character, whose name is Equality 7-2521, breaks out of his “colony” and starts a new life as an individual. In this book society is based off of collectivism. In this system you never get to meet your parents. You are raised by other people until you are 5. From 5 to 15 years of age, you are in the House of Students, where you learn what you need to know. From there you are immediately put into the work force. You have no choice or say in this system. They control you. There is also no personal life because you can’t be alone because it is against the law....
Words: 446 - Pages: 2
...Anthem’s society is dystopian world where all human advancements and technology are absent. Individualism is seen as a sin and is shunned by the citizens. The citizens have been stripped of any solitary rights and only live to serve their brothers around them. Equality was a City Street Sweepers that had always been told that he was different from his brothers; both mentally and physically. Nevertheless, he still worshiped the principles of his world like the people around him. He discovers and reconstructs a lightbulb, thinking that this could be a step forward in the society. So he brings it to the Council of Scholars, who reject his idea and want to destroy it. Equality leaves him home with Liberty, someone who he holds dearly, and discovers...
Words: 1823 - Pages: 8
...The first way that individualism affects Equality’s choices and decisions is Equality chose to steal the manuscripts because he wanted to know and learn more than he was originally taught. Equality knows that stealing these manuscripts is very wrong to do according to the house of scholars but he wants to learn as much as he can and that is the only way. Equality thinks it is worth it and his brother’s will forgive him but he does not as much care if they do. A part in Anthem by Ayn Rand that really shows individualism affecting his choices is when Equality talks about how he stole many manuscripts and does not feel bad about these actions, “We have stolen manuscripts. This is a great offence. Manuscripts are precious...And yet there is no...
Words: 415 - Pages: 2
...The society in Anthem represents more of a modern-day Communist-controlled country. Currently there are only a few Communist countries including: China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam. These countries lack individuality and are controlled under a dictatorship through a one-party system. In Anthem, everything is equal among the residents, on page 21, the author describes their “bedrooms” as “The sleeping walls were white and clean and bare of all things save one hundred beds.” Although Communism does not exalt to these extremities, it does take away each person’s identity and individualism. Individualism is a major theme in this novel, as it is illegal to be represented in any way, even as far as referring to yourself as “I”. Individualistic...
Words: 275 - Pages: 2
...Anthem, by Ayn Rand, is a novel that is very unique in its own ways. It shows a lot of individualism and makes the reader think of how people can just live as they are told to live and do as they are told without even knowing the outcome after they do what they are told. Also, it teaches the importance of self expression and the freedom that comes along with being unique and having the power to choose what path to take in life. The society in this novel, the word “I” is forbidden and humans refer to themselves as “we” instead of “I” to represent equality throughout society. Anything that might spark a thought of being a one of a kind person is forbidden. Children are born from parents that don't even know each other and are being taken away...
Words: 1254 - Pages: 6
...During World War II, the Berlin Wall blockaded Berlin’s citizens from both the outside world and restricted people's access to information. Very similarly, Ayn Rand describes this culture in Anthem. Rand purpose to write Anthem is to represent the effects of society if people's basic rights are taken away and no one can innovate on anything. Rand uses symbolism to illustrate the ideas between happiness, curiosity, and exploration which all represent light in the new land discovered by Prometheus offered through individualism compared to the dark, dreary, dismal environment where majority of the population is being controlled by a higher power called the World Council. Rand carefully uses diction to outline the framework of the society being...
Words: 1056 - Pages: 5
...“We strive to be like all our brother men, for all men must be alike.” The quote from the Anthem by Ayn Rand sums up a society completely polar opposite to our own. The society in the Anthem is a world filled with sameness and a very rigid social structure that oppresses individuality in an extreme way. There is no bettering of one’s self, no having a family, no free will. The men and women in the anthem are taught from birth, they all work together as one unit and there is no such thing as being different. People work not for themselves, but for the great of the city. This idea is so deeply seeded within their minds, they can’t even conceive the meaning of the word “I” This word is unspeakable and for the rare few that do speak the word are put to death. Later in the book when the escape the city into the forest, they have trouble expressing...
Words: 628 - Pages: 3
...The novel, Anthem, published in 1938 by Ayn Rand is set in the future when society is a collective dictatorship.In this society there is no “I” or “Me”, only a we. Rand wrote this novel during the great purge in Russia when everything was changing for them. Anthem tells us our individualism is an important part of our lives. Ayn Rand wanted to show us how important individualism is in society and what life can become without it. You may find yourself asking,” what exactly happens in this society?” This society basically enslaves the mind. It is illegal for them to do anything as an individual . For example Equality says “we know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone” in chapter 1 on page 11 to show it is a horrible crime to commit. Acting or even thinking as an individual is a crime punishable by death. The society believes that nothing good can come from one man, that a single man cannot think the same as several minds together. The society depicted in Anthem is not one you would want to live in, due to the lack of individualism in the community....
Words: 497 - Pages: 2
...In the book Anthem by Ayn Rand the society present is a terrible system that steals any sense of individualism. Although the world they live in is opposed to anything that is separate from the group, there is almost no opposition from any of the people that live in this society. The community allows the government they have to rule over them with no resistance. The different members of this society may allow this to happen to them for different reasons. Some people in a society like this don’t want to fight the system because they are afraid of what may or may not happen. If these people fought back then they may be imprisoned, whipped, or even burned at the stake. They may be kicked out of society and sent to the uncharted forest. They have no idea how they would survive or what they would do when they were there. They would be alone for the first...
Words: 609 - Pages: 3
...Equality’s belief of rational individualism or Objectivism is drastically different, almost opposite from the belief of the common society in Anthem because of wanting freedom, happiness, and love. He believes in making himself happy before others instead of being happy for being part of mankind. He shows that he identifies happiness individually saying that his happiness is his own purpose and goal (Rand 95). Equality 7-2521 intends to keep his happiness and shows pride in not being a servant and at the same time not treating his brothers as lesser beings (Rand 95). He treats people like Liberty 5-3000 different than anyone else. When Equality finds a house that people from the Unmentionable Times used to live in, he and his dearest one...
Words: 364 - Pages: 2
...To control the population, the leaders in Anthem, by Ayn Rand, impose a tyrannical regime, disguised as the perfect form of society. They attempt to enslave their citizens bodies and minds through government-given names and jobs. Also, they control through cruel punishments for small problems and the total destruction of the concept of individualism. Beginning at birth, people are indoctrinated to follow an ethical code of society that goes as follows: “We are one and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, one, indivisible and forever” (Rand 19). They are also given a generic name and a number code which lack any sort of individuality. Their names are written on a bracelet that “all men wear” (Rand 18). People are also assigned...
Words: 308 - Pages: 2
...As I read the book Anthem, I recognized many social differences and similarities. The book is set around a time period after the supposed “Unmentionable times”, were a new society was born and was based on collectivism rather than individualism. Yet, in the times of this lifestyle, there were some similarities that do relate to our way of life. In our life we believe in individualism because everyone is free, not like in the novella Anthem were people are controlled in a collectivism society. First of all, Individualism can be described as, “a social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control”. When people are following individualism, like our society, people go their own way and act like they want to. They are not controlled by one person. People who are individualist, don’t always act the same as others they act the way they think is right. In the book, towards the end, Prometheus and Gaea had settled in a house form the forgotten times and gave themselves names...
Words: 512 - Pages: 3
