Essay on Anthem: An Explanation of Three Quotes

Life has fared well since Gaea and I have lived in this house. There are now others in houses surrounding us. These are my friends that I returned to rescue, International 4-8818 being one of them. He is now called Apollo. We are happy here, all of us. The others are learning, albeit rather slowly, yet they learn to say I instead of we. It is my hope that, before my first child is born, they will all say I so that he or she may only know this and not the cursed we.

“It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see. It is base and evil… We have broken the laws” (17). Thus begins Anthem by Ayn Rand, a novella about a future collectivist society and a man named Equality 7-2521. Though the story takes place in the future, all technology that came after candles and glass has been taken away. The word “I” has ceased to exist in anyone’s vocabulary. Every person must agree on everything and feel like everyone else. To accomplish ‘cleansing’ the evils of mankind, society lead its people to believe that nothing can be done independently. The story is told through the eyes of Equality as he purposely defies the laws

The story of Anthem takes place in dystopian future in which freedom and human rights have been obliterated. Equality 7-2521, the protagonist, is a street sweeper who finds a tunnel where he conducts his science experiments which are considered a sin. Throughout the book we see him change and discover how capable he is through a multitude of literary devices. In the novella , Anthem, Ayn Rand utilizes vivid imagery and a profusion of diction to frenetically emphasize the idea of love.

| |that it was from then, that is, if they know it was the past. |

Ayn Rand's novella, Anthem, displays a dystopian and totalitarian society that is in opposition to individualism. As shown in Anthem and many other real and fictionalized totalitarian societies, children live apart from their families. Why? Because dictatorial leaders enforce this living arrangement among the kinsfolk.

In the stories, Anthem, by Ayn Rand, and By the Waters of Babylon, by Stephen Vincent

Inch by inch and little by little does Rand’s hero move from collectivism in the beginning of the story, to egoism in the end. From putting himself second and wanting to please his brothers, to saying he owes nothing to his brothers and everything to himself, one can definitely see how Prometheus’ heart and mindset has changed from the start. When Prometheus hears that he will be a father, he tells himself that his son will be raised to be become a real man. A man who takes pride in who he is as an individual, and one who lives for himself and not others, as he should of his entire life. Throughout the story, Prometheus never worshiped his brothers or god. Instead, he worshiped himself and kept the sacred word near and dear to his heart.

brought them for a civilization where the word ?I? did not exist to a world

In Ayn Rand’s book Anthem, The character Equality 7-2521 also known as Prometheus ran into the uncharted forest after being told that his box of light was a sin to create because he now knew more than his brother’s in the uncharted forest he found out that the golden one had followed him. Then the two uncovered homes from the unmentionable times. In the uncharted forest he discovered the unspeakable word “Ego”. Throughout the book he expressed traits of an Egoist. But in the book because prometheus had been in a dystopian society where they had to think of themselves and their brothers as a whole they were not allowed to think of themselves. So was Prometheus really a egoist? Or was it just his little bit of selfish coming out after not ever being allowed to think about himself?

     “I think. I am. I will.” A quote by Ayn Rand that is similar to Rene Descartes quote, “I think therefore I am.” This quote tells society that Prometheus can do anything by himself. He does not need the “we” of society to complete a task. Prometheus can think independently and wants to express himself as one individual. “I will,” illustrates that he will and can do anything. Prometheus believes, just as Rene Descartes does, that if he can think by himself, he is able to live by himself. As he is alone he is thinking by himself, therefore he is alive and able to express himself as he truly is.

“Change is certain. Progress is not.”, in the so-called perfect society, there is no progress and they are yet to develop, although, there are some people who defy these odds and develop into different people (Carr). The main character, Equality, has many obstacles to overcome but has yet to discover who he truly is. Although, as the story goes on, he starts to discover new things about himself, his purpose, and starts to realize he is not a part of this “perfect society”. The word “I” makes one an individual, however in Anthem, the word “I” is lost and there is no individual, just the collective people working for a common goal. Equality is set on a journey to find out who he truly is while

No “I” and no “you”, just “we.” How could we live in a world like that? Ayn Rand’s book shows a twisted and different form of collectivism. Everyone is told what they have to do for the rest of their future. Children are not even allowed to know who their parents are and are never given the chance to meet them. Although, only one shines in the society that no one else may see until now. Equality finds it difficult to find individualism in his life and in the rules of his society. Equality eventually finds individualism in escaping, to a haven of his own, from his odd society. Equality can then find peace with himself and can live in a more individualistic life in his newfound house with “The Golden One” in the forbidden and

The society would be unsuccessful considering at any sign of similarity to his current society, he would attempt to change it. Individualism is the main priority of his society. Prometheus would attempt to be such an individual that he would overlook his brothers’ well being. Prometheus would also aim to assure it is known that he broke the society’s chain of collectivism by making himself and his loved ones superior to others. “We shall never leave this house," we said, "nor let it be taken from us. [...] This is your house, Golden One, and ours, and it belongs to no other men whatever as far as the earth may stretch. We shall not share it with others, as we share not our joy with them, nor our love, nor our hunger. So be it to the end of our days.” (Page 101) According to that quote, He would not care for anyone else's well being except for himself and

“I am done with the monster of “We,” the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood, and shame.” (Page 97). In relation to the novel Prometheus is reaching an enlightenment of his own beliefs. He realizes very early in the novella that he is very different from his brothers surrounding him. Prometheus states that he is no longer using the word “We” because it is a word of Collectivism rather than a word of Objectivism. The quote closely relates to the overall theme of Individualism by him saying that he no longer wishes to use the word we. Prometheus closely supports and strengthens the Individuality he has within

The ethical issue Anthem faced is that employees felt they were betrayed and that Anthem violated their relationship which was built upon promises. This happened as result of a company decision and its communication thereafter.