Anthem is a novella by Ayn Rand, first published in 1938. The story takes place at an unspecified future date when mankind has entered another Dark Age as a result of the destruction of the industrial civilization. Anthem describes a new society where individuals are not allowed to think or act independently, and where there is no concept of individual rights.
Anthem depicts a world where the government controls everything and where people live in fear and oppression. However, the main character, Equality 7-2521, refuses to accept this fate and fights back against the government. Anthem is an important work of dystopian fiction that demonstrates the importance of individualism and freedom.
In the darkest period of history’s future, a totally collectivized world becomes apparent. This society has reverted to those of Ancient Greece and the European Dark Ages. At the center of terror and subordination, one individual stands alone. Equality 7-2521 is not like his brothers because he is able to think, create, and defy authority. He holds the potential for change in his hands and will do everything possible to keep it away from others.
It takes place at some unspecified future date when mankind has entered another dark age characterized by irreversible collectivism and socialized organizations. Technological advancement is now carefully planned and the concept of individuality has been eliminated. Anthem describes a new society where people have no names, instead referred to by numbers assigned to them at birth.
Despite this condition, the main character Equality 7-2521 rebels against society and chooses to use his mind for its own sake rather than following orders blindly. He also discovers electricity and eventually falls in love with a girl named Liberty 5-3000, which is highly forbidden in his society.
Equality’s individualism stands in stark contrast to the collectivism that pervades Anthem. The novella promotes Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism and is considered one of her most important works. It has been translated into multiple languages and published in several different formats. Anthem remains a popular and well-regarded work, with many schools and colleges using it in their curricula.
Because others in the society are afraid of someone undermining the existing order, he is suppressed by equality. Intelligence is a significant driving force for change. At a young age, Equality shows signs of greatness. “We, Equality 7-2521, did not enjoy living at the Home of Students,” says Equality (Rand 16). In Equality’s world view, it is sinful to be different from one’s brothers or to surpass them intellectually. He is admonished at an early age to be ashamed of his superior intellect.
Anthem is the story of one man’s rebellion against a collectivist society. Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem takes place at some unspecified future date when mankind has entered another dark age. Technological advancement is now carefully planned (when it is permitted to occur at all) and the concept of individuality has been eliminated. Society, in an attempt to keep everyone equal, has forced individuals into a life of conformity and ignorance. Anthem tells the story of Equality 7-2521, a young man who rebels against his society’s oppressive rules.
In Anthem, Ayn Rand promotes her philosophy of Objectivism through the use of protagonist Equality 7-2521. Anthem illustrates Rand’s belief that collectivism stifles individualism and discourages innovation, two values she considered essential to human life. Anthem is not only a warnings against the dangers of collectivism, but also a celebration of the human spirit and the importance of individualism.
Equality’s journey toward individualism begins with his discovery of an underground tunnel. This tunnel leads him to a secret place where he can think and work without being observed by the Council of Vocations. It is here that Equality discovers electricity and begin working on a new invention: a lightbulb. He also meets Liberty 5-3000, a young woman who has also been hiding from the society. The two eventually fall in love and plan to escape together. However, their plans are discovered and they are forced to flee into the forest.
In the forest, Equality and Liberty build a new life for themselves. They live off the land and discover new technologies, including a way to create fire without matches. They also have a child, whom they name Prometheus. Eventually, they are discovered by the authorities and Equality is captured. He is sentenced to death for his crimes against society.
Equality’s story ends on a hopeful note, however, as he realizes that his individualism has inspired others to rebel against the collectivist society. Anthem shows that individualism is essential to human happiness and progress. It is a powerful story that promotes Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism and celebrates the importance of the individual.
He confirmed their worries as he rose to prominence. He made a slew of new discoveries and revelations throughout his life. His most significant achievement was the invention of electricity all over again. We, Equality 7-2521, have discovered a new force of nature. He invented a rudimentary light bulb.
He wanted to make the world a better place with his invention. To the peril of his people, they despised this new ability. If they had accepted his concepts, Equality would have been the literal and figurative bringer of light (Gladstein 43). Unfortunately for Equality, as well as his society, his research was met with violent opposition and he was unable to share it with his brothers.
Anthem is a story of one man’s rebellion against a collectivist society. In Anthem, Ayn Rand promotes her philosophy of Objectivism through the use of several literary devices. Ayn Rand was born in Russia in 1905 and emigrated to the United States in 1926 (Gladstein xiii). Anthem is a novella that was written while she was living in Russia and published in England in 1938 (Rand Anthem 1). It is set in the future where the world has been destroyed and rebuilt as a collectivist society. The main character, Equality 7-2521, is a young man who rebels against his society’s rules.
He discovers electricity and wants to use it to improve his world, but his society does not want him to use it. They believe that it is evil and will bring them harm. Equality 7-2521 is forced to flee from his society and live in the wilderness. He meets a woman named Liberty 5-3000 and they fall in love. They live together in the wilderness and start a new life.
Ayn Rand uses several literary devices to promote her philosophy of Objectivism in Anthem. One of these devices is the use of symbols. The most important symbol in Anthem is the light bulb. The light bulb represents Equality’s discovery of electricity and his desire to use it to improve his world. The light bulb also represents the hope for a better future.
Another symbol that Rand uses is the word “I”. Equality 7-2521 uses the word “I” when he is thinking about his own thoughts and feelings. He does not use the word “we” when he is thinking about himself. This shows that he is an individual thinker and that he values his own thoughts and feelings.
From the days of ancient Greece to today, geniuses have been suppressed. Past geniuses were persecuted, fined, and even killed for proposing ideas that improved their civilizations in history. Equality is no exception.
Equality’s culture is based on the following premise: “It is evil to be different from your fellow men” (Rand 9). This belief leads to the stifling of all creativity and individuality. The Anthem novella takes place in a society where people have no names, but are referred to by numbers assigned at birth.
Equality 7-2521 lives in a world where books are forbidden and the word “I” does not exist. This lack of individual identity results in a lack of individual thought. People in this society are only concerned with serving the greater good, rather than pursuing their own happiness.
Equality develops his sense of self-identity and individualism through his love of learning and his ability to think for himself. Despite the fact that he is constantly told that his love of learning is wrong, he cannot help but to be curious about the world around him. This curiosity leads him to discover electricity, which is strictly forbidden in his society. When he tries to share his discovery with others, they refuse to listen to him because they are too worried about following the rules.
Equality’s individualism is further developed when he falls in love with Liberty 5-3000, a fellow novitiate in his reeducation class. He breaks the rules by writing her a poem expressing his love for her. This act of defiance shows his commitment to individualism and his willingness to stand up for what he believes in, even if it means going against the norms of his society.
Equality’s individualism eventually leads him to reject the collectivist society he lives in and to start a new life in the forest, where he can live according to his own values. This decision is not an easy one, but Equality knows that it is the only way he can be true to himself.
