preview

Theme Of Individualism In Anthem By Ayn Rand

Decent Essays

Ayn Rand, the author of Anthem, states, “The mind is an attribute of an individual. There is no such thing as a collective brain.” This statement means Ayn believes highly in individualism. Individualism is a belief in the freedom of action of individuals. Ayn Rand’s theme of individualism is not a sin is developed and supported in many of her works such as Anthem through the characters, Equality 7-2521 and Liberty 5-3000, and their actions. To begin, Equality 7-2521’s actions develop the theme that individualism is not a sin. He does this in multiple ways. However, most of the characters in Anthem believe that individualism is a sin. That is why Equality 7-2521’s actions are significant to the development of the theme. In the beginning …show more content…

Equality 7-2521 does this when he discovers a tunnel with International 4-8818 and keeps it a secret from the council which is considered a transgression. He keeps it a secret because he is curious about what lies inside of the tunnel. Equality 7-2521 writes of his time finding the tunnel, “the earth fell in before us, and we saw an old iron grill over a black hole. International 4-8818 stepped back. But we pulled at the grill and it gave way. And then we saw iron rings as steps leading down a shaft into a darkness without bottom”(Rand 31). This develops the theme because he is so curious about what lies inside the tunnel that he doesn't care that it is forbidden. This shows that Equality 7-2521 is an individual because of his curiosity. Therefore, Equality 7-2521 provides evidence that the theme, individualism is not a sin, through his curiosity in the tunnel that he found with International 4-8818. In addition, Equality 7-2521 continues to develop the theme when he is curious about how to capture lightning. This is when Equality 7-2521 creates a box that contains the energy of the sky which is known to a reader as a light bulb. He does this by discovering how to capture lightning and creating light without it. Equality 7-2521 plans on showing it to the World Council of Scholars and becoming a hero to the society like the people that created the candle were. However, his actions are considered a

Get Access