Introduction: How’d He Do That? Memory, symbol and pattern affect the reading of literature by causing the reader to focus on details of the story that are crucial to the understanding of the literary work itself. Symbolism allows the writer to entice the reader to find a meaning, and it may even be open for interpretation. Pattern is often found when one distances themselves from the details of the story, to see what lies beneath the characters, drama, or plot. Memory is when the reader relates the work to another of sorts in their own respect. My appreciation of symbolism in a literary work was especially evident when I was assigned the book Anthem by Ayn Rand for summer reading my freshman year. As a dystopian novel about a fictional society, this book was chock full of symbolism. The real breakthrough moment for me was at the end of the novel, when it became evident that the reason the pronoun “I” had not been used throughout the entire novel was to symbolize the ideal that in a communist society, or a society similar, there is no sense of self or self-worth due to each citizen working for the “common good of the general public/entire society” instead of working to be better or wealthier as an individual. I was rather confused for most of the book by the use of the word ‘we’ in place of ‘I’, however, but when this detail was revealed, it made the entire story come together and finally make sense. Chapter 1- Every Trip Is a Quest (Except When It’s Not) The five aspects
“Anthem” – one of writing authors Ayn Rand, shows her at her most vicious, hungry, and ambitious reading personality not only as a writer, but as a storyteller as well. The classic hit novel “Anthem” is the predecessor to Ayn Rands later books and storytelling works such as “The Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged”, often tackles controversial themes that are still prevalent within modern America today, such as Family & Love. The grandeur novel “Anthem” is a reflection of such topics, all whilst being told with almost an aura of mystery within the novels plotline / storyline. “Anthem’s” take on things such as individuality and self discovery along with universal, self serving terms such as “I” & the word “We” are the key factors in helping differinciate this author Ayn Rand from other authors that write and compse the same genre of literature as Ayn Rand. Anyways, please allow for me to introduce you to the under the surface, deeper themes expressed in the classic debut novel, Ayn Rands “Anthem”
In this paper, I will be talking about the book called Anthem by Ayn Rand. I will be talking about characters such as protagonists and antagonists and how some characters impacted the story. I will talk about the setting, conflicts, and the plot of the story. I will also talk about literary devices such as point of view, symbolism, mood, tone, and theme.
There has always been a slight apprehension towards being alone or standing alone. Students rarely want to admit to having an answer different from the rest of their classmates; some people do not want to go somewhere and do something by themselves. Notably, with more shy or anxious people, they will often stick around someone they know, so they will not be alone in the crowd. Although that company might help them make it through those nerve-wracking moments, when is the right time for them to walk alone? Should a person ever walk alone? In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, Equality’s internal conflict of conformity versus individuality plays a role that Equality needs to overcome in order to complete their quest for freedom which helps create their outcast archetype and gives significance to the final word of the novel.
Ayn Rand shows her opinions of religion when she wrote Anthem. She believed that religion is what enslaved the people. It is full of many philosophical questions. The first of which is at the very beginning of the book.The book starts off by saying “ It is a sin to write this.” (page 17) At that point in time, Equality 7-2521 believes that it is a sin; however, by the end he has a different opinion.
Imagine living in a society where everything someone does is conforming to someone else. In the novella Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, the author talks about conformity by referring to how all men need to be alike and fit in with each other. Equality 7-2521 the street sweeper, believes in the feeling of individualism and rejects the collectivist society around him. Social conformity becomes dangerous in Anthem because while Equality 7-2521 follows all the rules at the beginning of the novella, throughout the book he begins to break them.
Imagine a world where everyone is equal; living a life that feels almost programmed. Humans may not realize the impact freedom, technology, and independence has on our daily lives; however, Anthem by Ayn Rand demonstrates the importance of these rights. The story portrays the life of a young man, Equality 7-2521, living in a society that is built on severe rules and laws. These laws are designed to eliminate individuality, resulting in an extremely controlled environment. Due to the laws, Equality 7-2521 rebels against the society. For example, Equality 7-2521 was given the job as a Street Sweeper but realized life was unchallenging for him, and was punished for going beyond his limitations. Equality 7-2521 understands that solitude is
Anthem is a short dystopian fiction novel written by Ayn Rand. It was published 79 years in 1938 in England. The setting of the novel starts off in a dark tunnel. As we get further in the book we learn that the story takes place in an undetermined point in the future in a City that’s not specified. The main character, Equality 7-2521, narrates his thoughts to the reader throughout the whole book. He feels guilty because he’s breaking the laws by writing down his thoughts but feels it is necessary. It is forbidden for the people to have their own thoughts or do anything by themselves. A long time ago, there was something called the Great Rebirth. After that happened, society started to refer to themselves as “we” and lost the word “I”,
Ayn Rand's Anthem shows us her view of our world united under what seems to be communist rule. For example their view of right and wrong; which Anthem portrays is a system of very strict rules which mainly make sure that everyone is involved in a collective role within the society in this system no one is considered an individual or that they can even think as an individual.
The story’s settings of the novel, Anthem, greatly influences the plot. The novel’s setting takes in a Dark Age where there is no creativity, technology, progress, or optimism. The “society” is completely controlled and manipulated by a central group of leaders. The story primarily centers around a young man named Equality 7-2521 who is a street sweeper. This occupation does not offer him opportunities to expand beyond his small controlled world. Equality 7-2521 take his readers on an adventurous life journey as written in his own journal. Readers feel his oppression and personal desperation as they travel through the dark tunnel and live each day in the shoes of Equality.
A. Authors work: Ayn Rand has written many novels, including The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, Night of January 16th, The Virtue of Selfishness, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, and her first novel We the Living, Which was written in 1934 and was published in 1936.
brought them for a civilization where the word ?I? did not exist to a world
“My happiness is not the means to any end. It is the end. It is its own goal. It is its own purpose” (Rand, 95). Anthem is written by American author Ayn Rand about Equality 7-2521 on his quest for happiness. The novel is set in an unspecified time and place in the future. Years after human civilization has gone through a deconstruction in which all knowledge was lost and a new society established with no concept of the individual. “The novel describes the efforts of the main character, Equality 7-2521, to reestablish a sense of personal identity and restore the knowledge of the past by objective scientific inquiry. In doing so, he must face many dangers and privations” (Anthem). Anthem is a dairy of the Equality
Today in our society having a big ego is looked down upon, and if someone has a large ego they are often seen as selfish and ignorant of everyone around them. But if someone has no ego at all they can start to lose their sense of self, because they are always focused on everyone around them and they never take time for themselves. To both care for yourself without becoming self-centered and care for others and still have a sense of self, you have to have a balance.
Imagine a government so powerful or so fearful that its citizen consider the government as a God. In Anthem by Ayn Rand, the main character, Equality- 72521, lives in a society where everyone was part of the group and the main character was starting to defy this society. In the end of chapter two, the main character was talking about the “Unforgivable” word and how someone among the group, who Equality named the Saint of the Pyre, was publicly executed by fire. When the Saint of the Pyre was burned at the end of Chapter two, this referenced to when Jesus Christ was Crucified and with this allusion, Ayn Rand spread the message that a government can be so powerful that, to the citizens of that government, it is consider to be
Vision a lifestyle where one perceives it as a sin to comprehend data more efficiently than of one’s peers; a felony to long for things that others do not wish upon. Where floods of white tunics and austere minds obliterate the Earth. A colony built upon leaders who asphyxiate anyone from infatuation of any object or significant being; moreover, a world suffocating in collectivism. Through exasperated transcription, Anthem brings about such a community; nevertheless, a world of black and white. Ayn Rand does not overemphasize the effects of totalitarianism, but amplifies it so that it is more effortless for one to enlighten he or she’s notion on the particular proposal. First, by analyzation of “Equality 7-2521”, and