Main Theme) The novel The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, has many themes that are represented throughout. However, one of the most prominent moments in the novel which relates most strongly with the themes of The Fountainhead was when Ellsworth Toohey confronts Howard Roark and says, “Mr. Roark, we’re alone here. Why don’t you tell me what you think of me?” To which Roark replies, “But I don’t think of you.” This brief exchange of words between the two men tells all there is about the themes of Ayn Rand’s novel. Roark’s statement conveys the themes of the nature of reality, integrity, and individualism.
To start with, Howard Roark’s statement to Ellsworth Toohey really conveyed the theme of the nature of reality. The nature of reality fits in with the main theme of Ayn Rand’s objectivism. This idea of the nature of reality is certain and absolute. Howard believes that facts are facts. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Nobody’s goals, fears, hopes, or needs matter. Howard believes that his thinking and thoughts must be practical and everything he does is based on this philosophy. Howard doesn’t care about what societies
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Howard’s integrity has a direct link to his sense of individualism. In the novel, it is virtually every man for his or herself. The only opinion that should matter is their own, and they must reject everyone else’s opinion, hence refusing to conform to society’s opinions. When Howard states that he does not think of Toohey at all, he is embracing his individuality. Howard finds him irrelevant, and his opinion of him doesn’t matter at all because the only thing that matters is what Howard thinks of himeself. In order for Roark to be his own person and not conform to society’s standards, he must act selfishly. Howard’s sense of individuality is one of the greatest virtues he can possess along with his
“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”
The theme is reflected through the people in the book, and events that take place in the
By the conclusion of the story Anthem, Equality 7-2521 has changed his mind and become very judgmental of the leaders of his society, denouncing them in many terms. Because of what the leaders made equality do, his actions were very understandable. The way they controlled his life and made him do things he did not want to do were very harsh. I feel as if equalities actions were correct. And here are some reasons why.
At first glance, the book Anthem by ayn rand is pretty good. The book flows nicely and makes you want to stay up reading it instead of sleeping(at least that’s what I did). But there is a lot more hidden in the writing than you might think. In this essay, I will be discuss the topics of the unspeakable word, Objectivism, Rand putting her life into her work, and the possibilities of a connection between Anthem and the book “Uglies” by Scott Westerfeld. Ayn rand is a really smart author, and she has hidden many secrets in her book.
Ayn Rand chose to rename her main characters to give an understanding of her philosophies, which are shown from the comparisons. She strongly exemplifies her disbelief of collectivism by forcing her main characters to disobey their society, making them realize that they have a right to be different and that they want more knowledge about the times before the Great Rebirth. She demonstrates her belief of individualism and the right of having your own freedom by the Character Equality and how his thought process is contradictive to his
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”,
Character development is vitally important in Anthem. As we watch Equality 7-2521 change from a state of guilt and unhappiness to a state of pride and self-worthiness, the process creates the bulk of the story elements. One of the most important instances that show how much Equality has changed occurs in Chapter 8. At the end of this chapter, Equality bursts into laughter after thinking about what has happened. Equality laughs when he remembers that he is the damned because he feels liberated, not ruined.
Collectivism is a very common theme in Ayn Rand’s writing. From Anthem to The Fountainhead, her opinion is very clear: individualism is the source of freedom and joy, while collectivism is the root of sorrow and slavery. In Anthem, the main character, Equality 7-252, has grown up in a collectivist society that has remained strong for centuries. In that society, no one has had the choice to do what they want to do, love what (or who) they love, and simply be who they are. That society praises the idea that men live only for each other. Living for oneself is evil, a Transgression. The idea of “I”, “Me”, and “Mine” has disappeared, dragging the precious words along with it. Throughout the plot, Equality 7-2521 is seen both unintentionally and intentionally defying his society. At first, he condemns himself, describing his evil acts and mind and labeling his different mindset as a curse. “We were born with a curse. It has always driven us to thoughts which are forbidden.” (Rand 18) He is also condemned by others, for things he cannot control. He is taller than most other people, he has preferences for what he wishes to become, and he has ideas and opinions. Yet when his life assignment is Street Sweeper, he rejoices. He sees that as a way to pay penance for his sins. Later on, however, he embraces his individuality. “I am. I think. I will.” (Rand 94) He is the first to accept the idea of individuality for centuries, and helps others accept it, too.
Ayn Rand’s ideology centralizes on the idea that total human individuality is absolute and is obtained only by means of reason, self-esteem, and total worship of virtues. Atlas Shrugged ideal hero, John Galt, is the major example of objectivism and its complex layers. He is the symbol of no guilt, no fear, no submission, and no doubt in the value of the mind. Henceforth, John Galt is the reality that lies behind any human; the use of reason and self-interest as the motor for the improvement of the world; and, in consequence, the natural right to live by the power of thinking.
“My happiness is not the means to any end. It is the end. It is its own goal. It is its own purpose” (Rand, 95). Anthem is written by American author Ayn Rand about Equality 7-2521 on his quest for happiness. The novel is set in an unspecified time and place in the future. Years after human civilization has gone through a deconstruction in which all knowledge was lost and a new society established with no concept of the individual. “The novel describes the efforts of the main character, Equality 7-2521, to reestablish a sense of personal identity and restore the knowledge of the past by objective scientific inquiry. In doing so, he must face many dangers and privations” (Anthem). Anthem is a dairy of the Equality
Imagine if you lived in a society that was filled with terror, where you feel the inability to do anything? What you imagined could be described as a dystopian society. In the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand the main character, Equality 7-2521 experiences the struggles of living in a dystopian society. Equality 7-2521 always felt alienated due to his difference in physical appearance and mentality. In the society he lived in it was wrong to be different. Those who are in the this dystopian society have to live by strict rules. In the novel Rand uses literary devices such as setting, mood, tone, point of view, climax, themes, and symbols to express this dystopian society environment.
In this paper, I will be talking about the book called Anthem by Ayn Rand. I will be talking about characters such as protagonists and antagonists and how some characters impacted the story. I will talk about the setting, conflicts, and the plot of the story. I will also talk about literary devices such as point of view, symbolism, mood, tone, and theme.
“When one acts on pity against justice, it is the good whom one punishes for the sake of the evil; when one saves the guilty from suffering, it is the innocent whom one forces to suffer.”
Theme is an integral part of this story and is mostly presented through the narrator. One of the major themes of the story is conscience, in which many of the conflicts in the
How should we live our lives? Do you live for others or for yourself? What do you deem to be the ideal: selflessness, or selfishness? Why? Ayn Rand’s novel The Fountainhead addresses these issues and her philosophy behind it called Objectivism. Her rebellious rhetoric is to convince us that the only true virtue is selfishness and that we should abide by its standards and live for ourselves.