Anathem's Society In Anthem Written By Ayn Rand

Societies differ in many ways. The society of Anthem is collectivism, meaning they work together as one unit and are “owned” by a leader of some sort. Our society supports individualism, meaning individuals make their own choices in life and people live for themselves.

In conclusion, in Anthem by Ayn Rand, Equality’s new society will have none of the rules of the old society. The rules were put in place to shun differences and keep everyone equal. Because Equality hated the old society, he encourages differences, and he was an outcast in the old society, he will not allow any of the rules to carry over into his new

The situation in Anthem is closely related to how Ayn Rand lived through the early years of the Soviet Union’s rise to power. The people of Russia were expected to everything for the state, and were expected to put their needs and wants on the back burner with no if ands or buts about it, and this is very much what was going on in Anthem.

The first purpose and the reason to Anthem’s society is because of how the government was trying to make a utopia. In the book Anthem I feel the government is trying to make a utopia because of how they society as a whole is ruled by a government that has completely taken away peoples being as a whole like how instead of names they gave the people numbers. “Our name is Equality 7-2521, as it is written on the iron bracelet which all men wear on their left wrists with their names upon it.” (Ayn Rand Page 18) This quote shows how each person was distinguished by a number and not by a name. Another way that the government in the book Anthem were trying to

Collectivism is a very common theme in Ayn Rand’s writing. From Anthem to The Fountainhead, her opinion is very clear: individualism is the source of freedom and joy, while collectivism is the root of sorrow and slavery. In Anthem, the main character, Equality 7-252, has grown up in a collectivist society that has remained strong for centuries. In that society, no one has had the choice to do what they want to do, love what (or who) they love, and simply be who they are. That society praises the idea that men live only for each other. Living for oneself is evil, a Transgression. The idea of “I”, “Me”, and “Mine” has disappeared, dragging the precious words along with it. Throughout the plot, Equality 7-2521 is seen both unintentionally and intentionally defying his society. At first, he condemns himself, describing his evil acts and mind and labeling his different mindset as a curse. “We were born with a curse. It has always driven us to thoughts which are forbidden.” (Rand 18) He is also condemned by others, for things he cannot control. He is taller than most other people, he has preferences for what he wishes to become, and he has ideas and opinions. Yet when his life assignment is Street Sweeper, he rejoices. He sees that as a way to pay penance for his sins. Later on, however, he embraces his individuality. “I am. I think. I will.” (Rand 94) He is the first to accept the idea of individuality for centuries, and helps others accept it, too.

Rules, some people follow them, others do not. Many people ask why these rules exist, or what they even mean. In Anthem, the rules in their society were created to assure that society would not have another catastrophe, like one before the Unmentionable Times, when the Evil Ones wreaked havoc on the World, destroying everything in their path. Many of these rules limit one's capabilities to think independently. Failure to follow these rules result in harsh punishment. One man, by the name of Equality 7-2521, has defied a numerous number of these laws. This man has made a monumental discovery that could advance mankind. Unfortunately, due to the World Councils stubbornness, he was rejected of his idea. In this moment, Equality finally realized

In the book Anthem, Equality 7-2521 (Equality) lived in a society where everyone was equal and treated with disrespect. The society had no tolerance for being different and having their own opinion and ideas. People couldn’t even pursue the career they dreamed of having. They were punished for disobeying any of these “rules”. Despite Equality’s strict society, his motivations in conducting his experiments are finding individuality, starting a new revolution, finding freedom, and trying to become a scholar.

Equality 7-2521 would sneak away to their secret tunnel everyday when the town citizens were at the town meetings. Equality 7-2521 would steal scrolls and supplies from the House of Scholars, they studied and learned lots of new, different, and exciting things.

An enslaved future in which people in a society are punished for wanting independence. This is the dark future Ayn Rand, author of Anthem, has set in this heart-wrenching dystopia. Ayn Rand sets the protagonist, Equality 7-2521, against his society to find the meaning of individuality and the sacred word “I”. Modern Day U.S society is much more progressive that Anthems’ society because of its’ individuality, education, and technology.

The ways in which the society forces its citizens to refer to themselves as “we” and their similar natured names cause the individuals to view themselves as a group. The first official introduction to the main character is in chapter one when he says, “Our name is Equality 7-2521…”( Rand 18). From the beginning, when Equality says, “Our,” while referring to himself, it is clear that the citizens of the society cannot refer themselves as ‘I’. Excluding personal pronouns, engraves in the people’s minds that they are not individuals. In addition, if citizens were to refer to themselves as ‘I’ they would regard and value themselves as individual people opposed to living for others. As a result, this would defy the basis of collectivist principles. Throughout the story, various characters names are words pertaining to synonyms of brotherhood and togetherness. For instance, while Equality is standing in the great hall watching his brothers while they

In Anthem the Council wants everyone to be exactly the same with no individuality. The Council enslaves everyone physically and mentally. This makes everyone feel like everyone is the same and no one has a different life than anyone else around them. On page 19, it says “ We are one in all and all in one. There are no men, but only the great WE, One, indivisible and forever.” The Council’s plan for that is to brainwash the society to think they live in a perfect world where whatever choice the Council makes is fair.

In Anthem, there is not much freedom, the government controls most of what happens, and there was not much knowledge. “The laws say that none among men may be alone, ever at any time, for this is the great transgression and the root of all evil.” (Rand,17) “But we may never speak of the times before the Great Rebirth, else we are sentenced to three years in the Palace of Corrective Detention.” (Rand,19). These quotes show how the laws are against freedom, they show that no one is allowed act how they want or say what they want to say. The government also has all the control in what people can say and do. “There is some word, one single word which is not in the language of men, but which had been. And this is the Unspeakable Word, which no men may speak or hear.” (Rand, 49) This quote shows how the government restricts what they are

Ever heard of a society that does not have an individual? A society that is completely controlled? The book Anthem by Ayn Rand shows a society without an individual. An Anthem is an uplifting song that is identified by a certain body or cause. Ayn Rand wrote Anthem because she grew up in the Soviet Union, where it was a very communist society where people were supposed to be equal, but she saw that other people were higher above her

In Ayn Rand’s dystopian novella Anthem, she shows us a different view on the aftermath of destruction. Many dystopian books have themes where there is no order and it is survival of the fittest, but in Rand’s book she shows us order and obedience. She shows us a society where man and women are stripped of anything that could make them feel individual, even their names. In Anthem, the council wants to create a perfect society where one must depend on others to be successful. However, throughout the book we see Equality slowly break free from the ordinary.

Rules can exist to keep order but can create collectivism. The rules in the book anthem are extreme and cause people to not be able to be an individual. These rules are what caused Equality to run away. He understood that there was more to life than the rules set before him that were more than extreme. His new society would