Identity In Ayn Rand's 'Old School'

If a parent gives a kid a normal name, is that to help them fit in with the society and not be different? Or if a parent gives a kid a unique name, is that to give them a sense of individuality? In the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand, the answer at first was for them to fit in with society and not be different. In the novel, society has to be equal, no one can have an advantage over others. But later on in the novel some of the characters change their name to something that is more unique and suits who they are as a person more.

The satirical novel of Anthem analyzes and articulates the effects of communism. Although a good definition on paper, the actual consequences of this impure form of the original governance, as shown in Anthem, are severe. There is no opposition in this satirical society. There is no argument against the leaders. There is no resistance, no adversity.

Anthem, by Ayn Rand, is a very unique novel. It encircles individualism and makes the reader think of how people can conform to society and do as they are told without knowing the consequences and results of their decisions. Also, it teaches the importance of self expression and the freedom that comes along with being your own person and having the power to choose what path to take in life. Figurative language is used often in this book and in a variety of quotes that have great importance to the theme, plot, and conflict of the novel.

Don't smile! Don't grow taller than your brothers! Don't look at the female gender! All of these rules were forced upon Equality 7-2521. This society that Ayn Rand created in the book “Anthem”, focuses on equality for everyone. The society goes to extreme measures to obtain and equal society. In the book Equality, the main character, was born with a curse of being different than his brothers, he was fascinated with knowledge, and enjoyed to discover new elements and inventions. All of these things are unacceptable in his society. Throughout, the book equality learns what individuality means, with the discovery of the word I. With this knowledge he destroys the word we, this allows him to become free from his old society. Therefore, because of Equality's new belief of individuality he will create his own society that will revolve around the idea of everyone being individual.

Ayn Rand gives us a short novel Anthem which shows us a society in which people are too afraid to be themselves. Rand wrote the novel around the base of World War II, during this time the nations had all become narrow-minded in the ways to live. The citizens were being brainwashed into sameness. Rand wanted to show the far-reaching of individuality and how it is more important for your wellbeing than living in the fear of being different. The citizens of Anthem are forced to fit the false beliefs of the worlds council. They are raised in the society to fit the needs of their ways and the things around them. The economy teaches them to do nothing but please the people of power. Rand uses Equality

“We made it. We created it.We brought it forth from the night of the ages.We alone.” (38) In the dystopian novel called Anthem by Ayn Rand a boy named equality lives in a society in which individuality is inconceivable and he is driven by his curiosity to learn which eventually led him to individuality and solitude when he leaves his society. Ayn Rand use equality's experiments with electricity to show equality develope from group mentality to absurd individuality illustrating her point that individuality rules over groups and that everyone should be entirely and only individual.

In the world created by Ayn Rand, where collectivism is favored by the leaders of society, self-government is denied. In her novel Anthem, the characters are forced to live in an imperceptible prison surrounded by wilderness. Being an individual, having self-confidence, and the freedom to choose are key pieces to a successful society, but some of these concepts are foreign to many. In numerous societies like this one, the citizens are under strict social rule and do not enjoy natural rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. While being independent is important, it is also crucial to be united and act as a group. If there were no common thought, there would be chaos. At the same time, common thought should not be forced upon

Ayn Rand, a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, and playwright wrote the novella Anthem in 1937. During the time Rand was writing this novella, the ruthless dictator Joseph Stalin mercilessly ruled over Russia. Also during this time, the beginnings of World War II took place. These events more than likely inspired the plot for Anthem, a dystopian fiction. Rand's projection of the totalitarianism of Anthem's society is astounding, the book itself has feeling and meaning in correlation to today's world. Anthem depicts a collectivism dictatorship world of the future as in this world there is no "I", these people are forced to follow a strict set of rules, and they are born in bulk, learning and knowing only what their higher powers want them to learn and know.

Ayn Rand's "Anthem" presents a futuristic world in which independence is suppressed and collectivism is accepted as normal. The narrative poses concerns about the destiny of humanity in a society of the future where "we" are valued more than "I." Although some may find the world of Anthem highly unlikely, a closer look reveals disturbing connections to both historical and modern occurrences, indicating that Rand was attempting to caution readers about the risks of ignoring individualism in favor of community welfare.. The main idea of Anthem is the suppression of personal identity by the dictatorial government. The idea of "I" has been banned in Anthem, and it is unacceptable to have personal goals.

The novel is told by Equality 7-2521 in the first person point of view. However, the narrator talks in plural form due to the main message in the novel, “Our name is Equality 7-2521,” (Rand 1). This point of view progresses the plot by allowing Equality 7-2521 to give us readers the perspective of his life as it happens. Equality 7-2521’s life is the main plot in the novel. He struggles for individualism in a society that has forsaken self-identification for togetherness. Throughout the novel, Equality has continuously strived for his own identity, he wanted to be so much more than a street sweeper. But, the collectivism of the society blocked him from it. Until he realized he had to break free to obtain

The book, Anthem, gives us an example of Collectivism by having it be the main way of life for this dystopian society set after the downfall of our present society today. This fictional story highlights many different aspects of their society, and the one that this very essay will be getting into specifics about would be the names.

One of the hardest things to do with characters is to balance them with other characters without feeling like personalities begin to over lap. Early on in a book if the characters don't have a clear voice they tend to blend into other characters and the reader can forget who is speaking. My characters are not blending but one did not have a clear enough voice when I needed to reveal some information with my second main character showing her intelligence without it seeming out of character.

“Never ask people, not about your work.” In a world where individuality is Poisoned by the ends of society, Howard Roark displays a faint glimmer of hope, whereas Lois cook epitomizes collectivism. Roark's demeanor, personality, ideals, and perseverance all pin him as a shining example of individualism. Roark clashes with the concept of conformity, a widespread phenomenon in contemporary American society, which is one of the underlying causes of collectivist dictatorship. Lois Cook is a writer of nonsense who exercises nonconformity and is under the control of Toohey. However, her pursuit of nonconformity, often thought to be the opposite of blind obedience, is merely a variation on the same theme.

Ayn Rand was truly a remarkable woman and accomplished an astonishing feat throughout her career and her philosophy continues to affect many people’s lives. Through her works of fiction and her essays later in her life she discovered a whole new philosophy, a philosophy for living on earth. This vision has inspired countless people to take charge of their own lives.

Ayn Rand’s purpose of writing The Fountainhead was to implore the reader to do and think for oneself. Throughout the novel, Ayn Rand portrays the horrors of living for others and leeching off other people’s ideas. She shows such horrors through characters such as Ellsworth Toohey, a manipulative journalist working for the Wynand Papers, and Peter Keating, Ayn Rand’s prime example of a “second-hander.” She also shows the beneficial outcome of living as an individual through a character named Howard Roark, a talented young architect who refused to conform to the collective way thinking in that time period.