'Totalitarianism In Ayn Rand's Anthem'

To begin with, Equality fights for freedom by inventing a lightbulb and introducing it to the society’s leaders. He frequently explains the struggles of expressing his individuality. Equality cannot

This character helped understand the theme in the story, that individuality must be treasured in our society, since the character is , while struggling to maintain his own individuality.“...and we would work for our brothers, gladly and willingly, ...What is my life, if I am but to bow, to agree and to obey?...” (Rand). This quote helps support the theme in the novel by showing Equality's individuality in different parts of the book. At the beginning, he denied his individuality and tried to blend in with the conformist society, while at the end, he accepts and treasures his individuality. This relates to the theme by showing that his individuality is treasured and valued by him.

The dystopic novel Anthem written by Ayn Rand, published in 1937 and later an American version was released in 1946, offers a perspective on a life that is completely controlled by the government. They offer the population of the area a “freedom”. That “freedom” is actually a false sense of happiness, purpose, and security. However, what if the totalitarianism like government in Anthem is a way to have a stable and effective government? In Anthem by Ayn Rand, the bureaucracy is portrayed as cowardly, controlling, and inefficient; however, the totalitarian government, as it stands in this novel, is actually quite stable, and effective.

The future as we imagine it, is to be filled with hi-tech gadgets and gear. Yet we consistently forget about the past and how the past always catches up, where light is gone and equality is a must were no sight of uniqueness is allowed. If that were the case we wouldn’t not be human. “Anthem” by Ayn Rand explains this world where everyone is the same and everyone is told exactly what to do. Equality 7-2521 is the main character of this story and tries to fix this problem. In this story, there is a dystopian protagonist, and a dystopian protagonist is a character that feels trapped and is struggling to escape his/her society. Equality, the dystopian protagonist in “Anthem”, questions the society he lives in by figuring out that being

The collectivist society in which Equality 7-2521 lives within is similar to the Nazi and Communists states of the twentieth century. The leaders of this society do not permit individual thinking, but to be like a fragment in a group whose purpose is to serve its needs. Equality 7-2521 states, “We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, One, indivisible and forever.” (Chapter 1, Page 19) Individuals have no identity of their own, and come to the realization in their society that they are just part of one, large group.

We have solved secrets of which the Scholars have no knowledge. We have come to see how great is the unexplored, and many lifetimes will not bring us to the end of our quest. We wish nothing, save to be alone and to learn, and to feel as if with each day our sight were growing sharper than the hawk’s and clearer than rock crystal.” (Rand, 22) In other words, Equality 7-2521 has unlocked the secrets to science, forbidden secrets that nobody, not even the Scholars know about. His self-discovery is important, because he finally found who he is. He is not a street sweeper at heart, he is a scientist. He was meant to carry out scientific experiments, but alas, his society disallows it. Although he may be severely punished for his discoveries, he does not care. These discoveries affect him on his perception of life for the reason that he knows that people in this world should be allowed to do what they want, and think for

In my Worldlit class, students were assigned to read the novel Anthem written by Ayn Rand. We were given a choice of three prompts. I chose prompt two, which asks as to why the rules and controls of this new society exist. It then goes on to ask what their purpose is and if the society Equality wants to create would have them or not.

Equality is placed in a society, which he is unique and unlike the rest. He is not like the others he is curious of the unknown, while the rest are carless and do not dare to expand their knowledge. “We looked upon the faces of the Council, but there was no curiosity in those faces, and no anger, and no mercy” (63). Using these words to describe the members of the Council of the Home helps express the society that Equality 7-2521 is living in. The differences amongst Equality 7-2521 and the government show the clash between them. People in the society are hesitant to do the actions that they are told to do, but Equality 7-2521 feels pride in the actions he is not suppose to take part in. “Two men stood by the post, naked but for the leather aprons and leather hoods over their faces” (64). As these men hide their identity from doing an action they would be shameful for, in contrast Equality 7-2521 has no shame for the sins and laws that he disobeys showing the differences amongst Equality 7-2521 and the rest of society. Equality 7-2521 has “evil” in his bones, he is taller then the rest of his brothers. “Our body is healthy and strength returns to it speedily” (67). Not only is Rand showing Equality 7-2521 physical strength but also his strength to be different and be an individual. His physical strength to over come the lashing he went through does not stop him from breaking free, but

Anthem is a novella written by Ayn Rand that takes place in a totalitarian society where all of the citizens are virtually the same. In the beginning of the book, Equality 7-2521 did not know how bad this government actually was. The society that he lived in did not accept individualistic values, they were based on collectivism. Towards the end, Equality became very critical of the world he was living in. He is correct in doing so, he has his own moral values.

While in some extreme situations it can be useful to gain some semblance of unity and organization, totalitarian societies damage one 's individuality and feeling of self-worth; defining people without ever allowing them to make their own decisions. This can potentially cause one to feel ousted or distress. Totalitarianism creates no outlet for personal growth, and as seen in Brave New World. Totalitarian societies strip people of their basic human right, free will. Totalitarian governments impair the success of individuals, ultimately failing society.

Totalitarianism is a form of a government in which all or total power and control are put into the hands of who is in charge. There have been many creations based on dystopian societies, but we remain focused on 2 novels which are 1984 written by George Orwell and the movie V For Vendetta made in the year 2006 by James McTeigue. Totalitarianism has been founded in many movements through history, the first time totalitarianism was introduced was by Benito Mussolini. At the beginning, totalitarianism was brought up and influenced its people that there goals were positive and make the country great again. But as a result of having power, the countries state resulted into being corrupted. So then this leads me to talk about how literature speaks

In the twentieth century many new nations and governments emerged based on totalitarianism. These governments were typically fascist or communist. Some characteristics of such governments were the removal of social freedoms and the consolidation of power into the hands of one person.

Totalitarianism (or totalitarian rule) is a political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to regulate every aspect of public and private life wherever

Two totalitarian regimes which are both political systems and influenced society significantly are Communism and Nazism. They influenced and changed people’s rights, their views on things and people in general. Communism and Nazism are the two totalitarian systems I’m going to talk about. They were spread in different areas, but both of them caused big consequences. Communism started in Russian and spread around in Eastern Europe and Nazism started in Germany and spread in that area. People have gone through many bad times when those two totalitarian systems were in power, but we can’t always say that people’s lives were better before they were in power.

In Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem, the main character, Equality, struggles to free himself from the confines of his society which create an aura of false equality and unity between the people. Equality is naturally curious and thoughtful, and when he finds a hidden tunnel, those characteristics become untamable. He begins to pursue his thirst for knowledge as he conducts experiments every night, and, as time goes on, he begins to rediscover elements of science that have been lost for generations. His most important discovery is electricity and the ability to create light with it. Equality takes this discovery to the Council, the wisest group of people in the society that use their wisdom to act as a government. Instead of reacting with delight and awe as Equality expects, the Council members are purely terrified and angry with Equality for going against societal expectations. Equality, fearing for his life, flees to the woods, a forbidden and mysteriously frightening place where he stumbles upon a house filled with the forgotten knowledge of the past. There, he begins to rebuild the ideas of the past and finally realizes his potential and role as an individual.