Collectivism In Anthem To The Fountainhead, By Ayn Rand

Collectivism is a word unheard of to many, but it happens to be quite a common thing in many lives. Ayn Rands book, “Anthem”, illustrates how one should break away from the addictive sense of collectivism to then achieve their own individualism.

Ayn Rand’s novel puts Equality in a great position to start his new life with his new family. Ayn Rand’s story gives hope to all who want not to be conquered by their government and to have a say in what they believe in. If your government or society doesn’t like what you have to say, then it shows you can also walk right out the door if you don’t like what is happening. When you become a collectivist, you lose your individuality and almost become a slave and or a robot to the government and society. You lose your creativity and

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.

A captivating novelette in which a man’s priority is to serve only for his brothers, Ayn Rand’s Anthem illustrates a society that has suffered the ghastly consequences of collectivism. She depicts an oppressive culture in which the word “I” is unheard of and men belong to the collective “We.” Men’s lives are determined through the Council of Vocations, a group that maintains a powerful dictatorship by subjugating the public from the beginning of their lives. The idea that “If you are not needed by your brother men, there is no reason for you to burden the earth with your bodies” (Chapter 1) has been forced into average mindset of the vehemently maintained society. In contrast, Rand mocks the totalitarian civilization through the main

In the novel, Anthem by Ayn Rand, it conveys a deep understanding of collectivism. The citizens do not have a voice and freedom, they stay in a tiny bubble in which they can not escape from. The main character Liberty, is different than any other girls by her looks and her thoughts. She is fearless, curious, and determined. Liberty symbolizes change, in the society that does not accept individualism and relies on collectivism. Without Liberty, Equality would not have the courage to explore more of the Uncharted Forest and not give up. “Don’t be afraid of change, it's leading you to a new beginning.”

Like other collectivist rulers, leaders in Anthem rely on the consciences of their vassals to promote their agendas. They associate instinctual concern for oneself with narcissism and selflessness with divinity. Those who pursue selfish goals face condemnation -- collectivism ostracizes those who go against the grain. Members of these societies bear perpetual burdens; all carry an intolerable anvil of guilt on their shoulders as a result of the supposedly impure self-regard they forced into repression. In the speech “The Soul of a Collectivist” from Rand’s novel, The Fountainhead, Ellsworth M. Toohey, the

In today’s world, there are many disagreements on whether a collectivist society or an individualist society would be better and more beneficial for each country. Depict a world with no choice, no freedom, and everyone is equal. There would be no new discoveries, no creative ideas, nothing new. This doesn’t seem like a beneficial and enjoyable society to live in, so therefore, an individualistic society would be preferable. In Rand’s book Anthem and Shakespeare’s infamous play Romeo and Juliet, both stories contradict individualism and collectivism.

Individuality is held captive by people who have conformed. Development into a individual takes plenty of strife but will lead to finally discovering one's true self. Equality from Ayn Rand novella Anthem is broken down by others, but eventually will come out victorious and empowered to walk his own path. Others negativity and lack of knowledge pushed Equality to reach for his goals and never give up. He is extremely motivated to establish a world where information isn’t limited and people are able to live the way they want to. Equality has finally uncovered his purpose and is willing to fight for it. Equality’s mindset generated as a reaction from the nurture he received made it capable for him to defeat any opposition that came his way.

The collectivist society in which Equality 7-2521 lives is similar to the Nazi and Communist states of the twentieth century. The rulers of this society do not permit any individual to think freely; all must subordinate themselves to the state. "Collectivism," Ayn Rand notes, "means the subjugation of the individual to the

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.

“It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see. It is base and evil… We have broken the laws” (17). Thus begins Anthem by Ayn Rand, a novella about a future collectivist society and a man named Equality 7-2521. Though the story takes place in the future, all technology that came after candles and glass has been taken away. The word “I” has ceased to exist in anyone’s vocabulary. Every person must agree on everything and feel like everyone else. To accomplish ‘cleansing’ the evils of mankind, society lead its people to believe that nothing can be done independently. The story is told through the eyes of Equality as he purposely defies the laws

In the novel, The Fountainhead, the author Ayn Rand introduces her philosophy of Objectivism as Rational Individualism. Rational Individualism is the self-realization of one’s worth and how to go about life in the most logical and beneficial way for one’s own well-being. In The Fountainhead, the protagonist, Howard Roark, is depicted by Ayn Rand as the epitome of objectivism. A common theme that has been brought up multiple times throughout this novel and plays a major role in understanding rational individualism, would be integrity. Through Howard Roark, Ayn Rand demonstrates the difficulty that most find with relying on one’s own integrity and not relying on others to make choices for you; which ultimately shapes who you are as an individual.

The Fountainhead written by Ayn Rand primarily revolves around the protagonist Howard Roark and his struggle to maintain his individuality and morals in the face of opposing forces. Howard demonstrates this struggle in the act of dynamiting the Cortlandt Homes and fighting for his freedom in court. Throughout the novel, Howard’s ego stands firm against public opinion, he does not waver despite opposition in instances such as the construction of the Stoddard Temple, the building of the Aquitania Hotel, and the erection of the Enright House. Howard’s attitude correlates to a main theme in the novel, which was that individualism is the more rational lifestyle. However, Howard’s rationale behind his actions was that moral law super secedes secular

“What is the basic, the essential, the crucial principle that differentiates freedom from slavery? It is the principle of voluntary action versus physical coercion or compulsion” (Ayn Rand). In this quote Rand demonstrates the fact that the only difference between a dictatorial society and a free society is their actions. This seems to be Rand’s premise, but the “actions” of a society are merely expressions of the basic philosophical foundations. A totalitarian society forces the citizens to do what the government wants them to do.

Howard Roark is a Compelling character in the Fountainhead. He encompases all that is all that is an individual and overall represents the main point of the theme. Roark is Ryand’s absolute vision on what a perfect human should be and she uses her novel to represent through an array of characters how all different personalities and beliefs can be interpreted in a society; but her main point that only way to have a true sense of self is make your own decisions and be a complete adult. One of the most protruding themes throughout the novel is collectivism versus individualism.