Anthem For The Underdog Analysis

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

The novel Anthem by Ayn Rand and the novel/movie The Giver written by Lois Lowry and produced by Neil Koenigsberg are both dystopian fiction novels with a similar story line. They both take place in a dystopian society that has many similarities. The main character in each of these goes against the rules and shows individualism. They both have different decrees to follow but they broke them remotely the same way. Some of the things they have in common are not only broken rules but things that the society influences on the people or opposes against a certain way of life.

In the memoir A Long Way Gone, author Ishmael Beah describes his survival journey as a lost child in his country, because of the civil war in Sierra Leone, then becoming a child soldier facing war daily, afterward the process that Beah went through during rehabilitation and finally in fear escaping the civil war. Ishmael Beah emotional journey has three stages of development in which Beah utilized music. In the first stage, Beah uses music as a survival mechanism to keep sane and safe. In the second stage, begins when he loses his brother and friends, Beah reaches the lowest point with the loss of his entire family again, some friends, music, and being forced to join the war. In the final stage, is the process of rehabilitation where Beah connects with music once again. Ishmael Beah exposure to music at a young age stayed with him throughout his life. (Beah, 2007, p. 5-218)

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

Conform. Do not deviate. The only joy that one may experience is the happiness one shares with one's brothers. These phrases illustrate the world of Anthem, in which a young man struggles to find his place in a world of collectivism. Ayn Rand's dystopian novella Anthem employs effective metaphors and well-placed diction in order to ardently claim that individuality holds the key to separating those who justifiably earn the joys of life from those who demonstrate unworthiness.

“Anthem” In the book “Anthem” by Ayn Rand the main character, Equality, is assigned the job as a street sweeper by the Council of Voacations. The reason that he is placed as a street sweeper is a more sinister motivation that the council has. The Council of Vocations had a more sinister motivation when assigning him the job.

Anthem Essay The book anthem explores the ideas of collectivism and what collectivism would change for everybody. There would be no such thing as the word I. You would never be worrying about yourself, but you would be worrying about us even if you were by yourself. Anthem shows that collectivism can be escaped but lots of sacrifice, a reasoning mind, to defy altruism, and an ego would be needed.

In order to understand the message conveyed throughout both novels, one must understand the context in which they were written. Anthem and Brave New World were written during the 1930’s, when the world was experiencing the negative effects of communistic ideology. Dictators like Joseph Stalin, and Adolf Hitler showcased the horrors of too much government control. These dictators left millions dead in the name of evil, greed, and a lust for systematic power. During this period of unrest, authors like Ayn Rand and Aldous Huxley realized the importance of individualism and freedom to a society. As a result, both books share a common message; individuality is the most important freedom we have, and the government has various ways to hinder that individualism.

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.

The dystopian novella, Anthem, is set in an age in which every aspect of life is controlled by oppressive leaders. In this society, everyone was deemed equal to each other, meaning no new ideas were allowed and the past could not be discussed. Individuals are told they exist only for the sake of serving society and have no other purpose. Strict rules were put in place involving everyone’s daily lives, their partners, and even when they were allowed to smile. The goal of this controlling environment is to be completely free from conflict and maintain peace and order by giving citizens little freedom.

The story of Anthem takes place in some unspecified future in which freedom and individual rights have been obliterated. Equality 7-2521, the protagonist, is a street sweeper who finds a tunnel where he conducts his science experiments. Throughout the book we see him change and move towards individualism as he discovers how capable he really is. Ayn Rand uses vast amounts of literary devices to describe the evolution of Equality 7-2521. In the dystopian novella, Anthem, Ayn Rand expresses epochal symbolism and poetic personification in order to passionately display the individual’s superiority over the collective.

“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

In the play Topdog/Underdog, Suzan-Lori Parks tells the audiences a story between to African American brothers. Both of the brothers who are living a hard life of poverty. So both brothers are doing what needs to be done to make ends meet. This plays shows how two brothers struggle for success and respect as the “topdog”. This play goes to show how jealously can lead to horrible outcomes in the long run.

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.

“Music helps me when no one does.” I chose my anthem because it inspires me to fight through the pain, not let things get to me and work really hard so I can succeed. This song to is about one of the singers who has Ankylosing Spondylitis, it is an inflammatory arthritic disease affecting the spine and large joints. He said in an interview, “I have a month that would be great, like no pain for a month and then I might have a week where I start to feel a flare-up,” Reynolds reveals of his condition. “But for the most part this last year, I’ve had it under control via my diet and exercise. It’s different for everybody, I’ve found the balance within that the last year that’s worked for me, but next month I could have a really bad flare-up and