The Novel Anthem By Ayn Rand

“Anthem” – one of writing authors Ayn Rand, shows her at her most vicious, hungry, and ambitious reading personality not only as a writer, but as a storyteller as well. The classic hit novel “Anthem” is the predecessor to Ayn Rands later books and storytelling works such as “The Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged”, often tackles controversial themes that are still prevalent within modern America today, such as Family & Love. The grandeur novel “Anthem” is a reflection of such topics, all whilst being told with almost an aura of mystery within the novels plotline / storyline. “Anthem’s” take on things such as individuality and self discovery along with universal, self serving terms such as “I” & the word “We” are the key factors in helping differinciate this author Ayn Rand from other authors that write and compse the same genre of literature as Ayn Rand. Anyways, please allow for me to introduce you to the under the surface, deeper themes expressed in the classic debut novel, Ayn Rands “Anthem”

Anthem, by Ayn Rand, is a book that deals with topics of power, love, and individualism, and societal and personal differences . The theme of anthem, that individuality must be protected, is widespread and prominent, referenced throughout the book, from the viewpoint of the main character.

Ceaseless collectivism is not something that can be forced upon a community. Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem conveys this through the writings of Equality 7-2125, a man willing to stand up to the collectivism of the society he is confined to. Anthem not only shows how dull and lifeless a society can be with a lack of individuality in its people, but also reveals how one person can significantly impact a community. This novel displays the importance of individualism through Equality’s thoughts and actions. This includes when he reinvents electricity in the tunnel, falls in love with Liberty, and when he completely separates himself from society.

“The word "We" is as lime poured over men, which sets and hardens to stone, and crushes all beneath it, and that which is white and that which is black are lost equally in the grey of it. It is the word by which the depraved steal the virtue of the good, by which the weak steal the might of the strong, by which the fools steal the wisdom of the sages” (Rand 66). Anthem is a science fiction book written by Ayn Rand. This book takes place in a futuristic time in which freedom and individual rights have been demolished and substituted by collectivism. Equality 7-2521 has a different perspective on reality than the rest of society and therefore searches to find his way despite many hardships. Within Equality 7-2521’s exploration, he is able to

Anthem is a short dystopian fiction novel written by Ayn Rand. It was published 79 years in 1938 in England. The setting of the novel starts off in a dark tunnel. As we get further in the book we learn that the story takes place in an undetermined point in the future in a City that’s not specified. The main character, Equality 7-2521, narrates his thoughts to the reader throughout the whole book. He feels guilty because he’s breaking the laws by writing down his thoughts but feels it is necessary. It is forbidden for the people to have their own thoughts or do anything by themselves. A long time ago, there was something called the Great Rebirth. After that happened, society started to refer to themselves as “we” and lost the word “I”,

“Anthem” was written by Ayn Rand, and she was born on February 2, 1905 in Russia. Russia at the time was heavily focused on collectivism, which is the idea that people should prioritize the good of society over the welfare of the individual, and was highly influential on Rand’s life. When she was introduced to American history, her ideas of what a free nation should be was America. When she left Russia, she decided to never go back to Russia and 13 years later, wrote Anthem. Anthem is set in the future and is based in a city that has collapsed from modern day society and accepts collectivism. “Anthem” is a novella about a man named Equality 7-2521 and throughout his life, he struggles to find self-identification in a society that has no sense of individualism. Throughout the story of “Anthem” the main themes are the importance of the individual and the value of martyrdom. Ayn Rand wrote “Anthem” as a warning to us westerners about the horrors of collectivism regardless of how it was put in use. She experienced most of the horrors first hand and this was also another reason for writing “Anthem”. Some of the horrors of what she experienced was the Kerensky Revolution and the Bolshevik Revolution which ended in her father’s pharmacy being confiscated and leading to periods of near-starvation. So, based on Rand’s past experiences and her ideas, she wrote “Anthem”.

Individuality, a thing we all take for granted, but in a collectivist society, individuality is banned in all forms and is enforced with torture and execution in the name of “brotherly love”. In the novella Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, all men are bound to the society and held captive by the government’s beliefs. The Home of Scholars is responsible for all scientific discoveries. A new act is preventing them from releasing their findings into the society. Equality also dabbles in science, and he knows that this is a transgression. Equality wishes only to study the clockwork of the world, and to be accepted into The Home of Scholars. He brings his invention of a light to the council, but is turned down because his technological advancement

Chapter 8 through the end of Anthem by Ayn Rand brings resolution to conflict of the book and fully develops motif into theme. The main conflict in this book is without a doubt conformity versus individuality. This conflict is mainly exhibited by the main character Equality 7-2527 but is designed in such a way that it represents the conformity of all individuals in a society and the lack of thinking for one’s self as a result. Chapter 8 in Anthem represents a drastic shift towards resolution in this conflict because it is during this time that Equality begins to act on his beliefs rather than just think them. Up to this point, Equality has clearly defied the laws of the described society in Anthem by pursuing self interest which may be

A crucial question people often find themselves asking is whether to live for themselves or to live for others and to what extent. Ayn Rand's novella, Anthem, explores a dystopian society that takes the theme of living for others to a whole new level. The sternness of this culture creates an emotionless and a bland society set on fulfilling collectivist principles. Anthem's society manipulates language to enforce collectivist doctrine by excluding words which cultivate a personal identity and merging religious and government views.

a world of collectivism. Equality is a street sweeper which was chosen for him by the Council of

Set in the age where government has become synonymous with oppressor, Anthem by Ayn Rand focuses on the perspective of Equality, a boy who grew up nestled underneath the boot of collectivism trying to find an identity. Equality’s narrative expresses both Rand’s fears and hopes for the society where government threatened to rein all. To comprehend fully what devices and mechanics that Rand did to implement her predictions of civilization under the tyranny, you must take into consideration the rhetorical theories of great rhetoricians like Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero. While Plato and Cicero’s theories explained details and choices, Aristotle’s theories explained how Rand introduced her paramount message and supported it.

“Anthem” is an engrossing novel by Ayn Rand focusing on the character Equality 7-2521’s descent into rebellion against the new socialistic government that has taken all previous scientific advancement out of life, only to leave the ideology of collectivism. His quest to discover, learn, and invent is problematic for those that oversee the progress of the civilization, and from roughly around the age of five, he is punished for his nature. Soon enough, the twenty-one year old is on a journey to learn, not only about nature’s mysteries, but also about what sets him apart from his dead-eyed peers. Equality 7-2521 has many distinctive characteristics that others in the restricted city do not, some of which are relatable, and others that are indeed

In Anthem, a novel by Ayn Rand, depicts a dystopian society where people are categorized into groups and everyone is opposed to individuality. The individuality of ,the main character, Equality 7-2521 and his intrusiveness made him seen as an outcast by society and the council, which is seen through the selection of themes, characterization, major conflicts, and point of view.

“Anthem” is an engrossing novel by Ayn Rand focusing on the character Equality 7-2521’s descent into rebellion against the new socialistic government that has taken all previous scientific advancement out of life, only to leave the ideology of collectivism. His quest to discover, learn, and invent is problematic to those that oversee the progress of the civilization, and from roughly around the age of five, he is punished for his nature. Soon enough, the twenty-one year old is on a journey to learn, not only about nature’s mysteries, but also about what sets him apart from his dead-eyed peers. Equality 7-2521 has many distinctive characteristics that others in the restricted city do not, some of which are relatable, and others that are indeed unique.

Memory, symbol and pattern affect the reading of literature by causing the reader to focus on details of the story that are crucial to the understanding of the literary work itself. Symbolism allows the writer to entice the reader to find a meaning, and it may even be open for interpretation. Pattern is often found when one distances themselves from the details of the story, to see what lies beneath the characters, drama, or plot. Memory is when the reader relates the work to another of sorts in their own respect. My appreciation of symbolism in a literary work was especially evident when I was assigned the book Anthem by Ayn Rand for summer reading my freshman year. As a dystopian novel about a fictional society, this book was chock full of symbolism. The real breakthrough moment for me was at the end of the novel, when it became evident that the reason the pronoun “I” had not been used throughout the entire novel was to symbolize the ideal that in a communist society, or a society similar, there is no sense of self or self-worth due to each citizen working for the “common good of the general public/entire society” instead of working to be better or wealthier as an individual. I was rather confused for most of the book by the use of the word ‘we’ in place of ‘I’, however, but when this detail was revealed, it made the entire story come together and finally make sense.