Egoism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

How would you describe the word ego? What about egoist, or egoism? These words are all related, but do they mean what you think? In Anthem, Prometheus believes the term “ego” is holy, but today many people think differently. Ego is a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance. An egoist is a self-centered, selfish, and arrogantly conceited person. The term egoism is defined to be the theory that one’s self is, or should be, the motivation and the goal of one’s own actions.

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.

Set in a dystopian society in the future, the novella Anthem written by Ayn Rand is all about being a collective society which doesn’t believe in individualism. Ayn Rand constructs a society in which individualism is a transgression. The government enforces the idea of collectivism to the society. They believe that in the human race each person is not single. The protagonist, Equality 7-2521 wants to be an independent person. He wants to be free. As stated in the novel, “To be free, a man must be free of his brothers.” This statement means that in order to be successful, he has to be his own person. As the novel goes on Equality 7-2521 learns to be an independent man and frees himself from the society which forces collectivism.

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.

Throughout the novel Anthem, Ayn Rand shows how having flaws is not always a disadvantage but an advantage. In this novel it teaches us about rebellion and individual responsibility in various amounts of ways. Starting off with going against the current of what everyone else believes in. The main character in this book does so leading him into a life he has unknowingly wished for. Another way this novel educates us about rebellion and individual responsibility is accepting that not everyone will agree with what he believed in. Lastly , leaving the town to access a better life that fits him ideally.

In “Anthem” by Ayn Rand Equality 7-2521 lives in a society where there are many rules and controls. The people in this society exist to coexist. These rules cause them to have no individuality. Everyone is completely equal. Equality knows that he is different and that no person was made to be the exact same as the one before.

Samantha Kay Wieland 7th Hour Mrs. Houselog Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. Elie Wiesel, author of the memoir night, the fictional character, Equality 7-2521 from Anthem, and Ayn Rand, author of Anthem, are three people that I am writing this paper about. They all were subjugated to the atrocities of life under collective/communist rule & surviving such oppression and inhumanity, these three individuals prospered. All three became beacons of hope for countless others.

Coco Chanel once said “The most courageous act is to think for yourself, aloud.” Imagine living in a society where decisions and life is already planned out, and no input is granted. This is the society that Ayn Rand has built. In Anthem, Ayn Rand uses the main character, Equality 7-2521, to introduce her major issue - individualism. In Anthem, Ayn Rand uses her character Equality 7-2521 to inaugurate the main theme - individualism. Rand does this by showing the importance of individuality by creating a society that allows no alone time, no preference, and no self expression.

Anthem Essay Anthem, by Ayn Rand, depicts a futuristic society, an alleged utopia where everyone was created the same, no exceptions. Men in this novel are taught that it is a virtue to agree and be agreed with, when no one praises the creator, the egoist. The protagonist, Equality 7-2521, struggled his whole life to separate and free himself from collectivism, and develop an ego, obtaining victory at last. From a young age, Equality 7-2521 has differed from his ¨brothers¨. He was more knowledgeable when he was younger, more curious in his teenage years, and more futuristic in his twenties than his peers. First, Equality 7-2521 has been more knowledgeable than his brothers in school.

In the book Anthem written by Ayn Rand the main protagonist, prometheus says that the word “ego” is holy. Prometheus or known first as equality 7-2521 starts questioning his roles in the world and how the world works. The word “ego” can be viewed but, is actually good. Prometheus proves this by his causes or action and effects of those actions. The word “ego” is viewed by prometheus as good or holy because of the words true definitions, “the soul of an individualist” speech , Prometheus, and today's times standards.

The novel, Anthem, by Ayn Rand portrays a dystopian society that is characterized by her concept of collectivism and the lack of individualism. Collectivism, in Rand’s view, is the belief that an individual will be subjugated to the group and sacrificed for the greater good (Novels&Works of Ayn Rand). Individualism is described as each individual has the right to do as they please to pursue their own happiness (Novels&Works of Ayn Rand). The narration in Anthem is in first person plural, there is no “I” or “me”, but are replaced with “we” and “us”. This is used because individualism does not exist in this collective state. Rand illustrates

Equality never knew what the word “I” was, but when he found out it would change his life forever. In Ayn Rand's book Anthem she talks explains that singularity is the best thing and being part of a group is absolutely unacceptable. She demonstrates her thoughts about singularity in the changes made withe the relationship between Equality and the golden one. The relationship between Equality and the Golden One evolves because Equality starts to learn about individuality, in the beginning of the novel when Equality is still part of the group they both love each other a lot, as Equality starts to realize more about individuality he stops having so much love for the golden one and the golden one thinks he has some type of power, once Equality finds total individuality he gives zero shit about the Golden One and starts to think of her as just being there. And

In a clash between the collectivist and individualist mindsets, the once Equality 7-2521 and now self named Prometheus had proclaimed that the word “ego” is a sacred word. It is essential to note that Prometheus himself is the true embodiment of an egoist as he worships the word and personifies it in the best way possible. While egoism may be viewed as an awful philosophy to live by, it is the path which true arbors of inspiration and creativity within a society follow.

The world that we live in today is selfish, a polar opposite from the world of Ayn Rand's book ¨Anthem¨. The citizens of her book live in a collectivist/communist society, forced to conform to the Great We by completely letting go of any kind of individuality. From the way they spoke to their lifestyle, they became mindless sheep of humanityś agenda for an ¨equal¨ society. However, one man named Equality 7-2521 rose from the conformed sea of people and dared to speak the unspeakable word: I. Equality wanted to spread slowly his ideals, which were justified by the amount of selflessness needed for each day of his life.

"We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, one, indivisible, and forever." (Rand 19) A golden value, held dear by the entirety of the society within Ayn Rand's novella, Anthem. A simple string of words with the almighty power to shape lives. A phrase repeated whenever temptation is felt. A silver promise lingering through the air at every waking moment, yet so easily broken by a single individual: Prometheus, who tore apart all he had ever known with a series of individualistic acts. However, Prometheus eventually came to realize that these transgressions were not only essentially driven by basic human instinct, but they also exemplified the underestimated capability of man, and initiated a much-overdue pursuit of freedom, though they were viewed to be negative by society, due to contrasting beliefs.