The Role Of Individualism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

In Ayn Rand’s book Anthem, The character Equality 7-2521 also known as Prometheus ran into the uncharted forest after being told that his box of light was a sin to create because he now knew more than his brother’s in the uncharted forest he found out that the golden one had followed him. Then the two uncovered homes from the unmentionable times. In the uncharted forest he discovered the unspeakable word “Ego”. Throughout the book he expressed traits of an Egoist. But in the book because prometheus had been in a dystopian society where they had to think of themselves and their brothers as a whole they were not allowed to think of themselves. So was Prometheus really a egoist? Or was it just his little bit of selfish coming out after not ever being allowed to think about himself?

This quote it symbolizes how once Equality 7-2521, now Prometheus because it describes him as a single person, knows what it is like to be an individual, he realizes how messed up the word "we" is. He sees how the word shames people, makes people feel invisible, and how the word shouldn't be used to describe an individual. He then knows that the one word that should be used to describe a single person in a society is "I". "He will be taught to say "I" and to bear the pride of it" (Rand 98). He wants to make a society where people can be individuals and he believes he is the spark for this society.

In Ayn Rand’s Novel Anthem she displays an orwellian type of dystopian society with the thoughts of the protagonist, Equality 7-2521, guiding the way of the anecdote. Throughout the book many discrepancies arise between modern day societies and the one depicted within Anthem. Such as how the word “ego” is recognized in these contrasting societies. To Prometheus the word “ego” is held to a holy standard, while on the other hand to be a self-centered person, in today’s modern societies, it is usually seen as erroneous and as an act of folly. When referencing Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem and the passage “The Soul of an Individualist” from her alternative novel The Fountainhead one can conspicuously certify that Equality 7-2521 is an unrepentant egoist. Being the egoist he is holds a

In Ayn Rand’s novella, Anthem, it is stated from the start that individuality is a threat to the society of collectivism that is trying to be accomplished. Humans, by nature, tend to express preference in all aspects of life, whether consciously or subconsciously, leading them to favor one choice over another. Preference is a show of individuality, and from the beginning of the novella, Equality 7-2521 makes it clear that his work “is a transgression, the great Transgression of Preference.” In the society illustrated in Anthem, having a preference for one’s job is considered a transgression against the forced collectivism. The “Council of Scholars shall prescribe” each person a job and that is what they must do.

In the novel it states, “My dearest one, it is not proper for men to be without names. There was a time when each man had a name of his own to distinguish from all other men. So let us choose our names. I have read of a man who lived many thousands of years ago, and of all the names in these books, his is the one I wish to bear. He took the light of the gods and he brought it to men, and he taught men to be gods. And he suffered for his deed as all bearers of light must suffer. His name was Prometheus.” Equality 7-2521 continues on and says, “And I have read of a goddess,” I said, “who was the mother of the earth and of all the gods. Her name was Gaea. Let this be your name, my Golden One, for you are to be the mother of a new kind of gods” (Ayn Rand 99). Equality 7-2521 grows to understand his true meaning in life and who he actually is. He finds that “we” and “they” should refer to a group of people, and “I” and “you” should refer to one person. As he discovers that, he finds his own name, Prometheus and names his new wife,

Prometheus lived in a society where there was no "I" or "me," instead, "we" and "they" were used. While living in a world like this people could not have their own opinions and be individuals. While being that restricted in a society, how could one even become an egoist when you don't even refer to yourself as a single human being. In he book it states "We are nothing. Mankind is all. By the grace of our brothers are we allowed our lives. We exist through, by and for our brothers who are the state. Amen" (Rand 21). By reading this quote it is exemplified that egoism is not a part of their society, and they do things for others rather than themselves, which is the complete opposite of being an egoist. Although towards the end of the book where Prometheus breaks free of the society and starts to use "I" and "me," he still does not show any signs of egoism because he has just finally accepted the fact that he is his own person with his own values and

Ayn Rand was a Russian- American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter. She was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia on February 2, 1905. She is known for her very controversial novella showing a fictional, but eerily realistic post-apocalyptic world that has fallen into communism called Anthem. Anthem was published in 1938 and depicts a city that has fallen into now would be considered inhumane acts and laws. The city in the story Anthem features a collectivist dictatorship which holds strict laws that must not be broken, these laws prohibit individuality, creativity, and freedom.

In our world today, we are taught that it is very important to be your own individual. We accept others for how they are, no matter how different and individualized they are. In the book Anthem by Ayn Rand, the opposite is taught and we can see the consequences. “We” is a word that includes and connects everyone, bringing them together as a collective whole. But the truth is the contrary.

Ayn Rand gives us a short novel Anthem which shows us a society in which people are too afraid to be themselves. Rand wrote the novel around the base of World War II, during this time the nations had all become narrow-minded in the ways to live. The citizens were being brainwashed into sameness. Rand wanted to show the far-reaching of individuality and how it is more important for your wellbeing than living in the fear of being different. The citizens of Anthem are forced to fit the false beliefs of the worlds council. They are raised in the society to fit the needs of their ways and the things around them. The economy teaches them to do nothing but please the people of power. Rand uses Equality

In the book Equality says, “For the word “We” must never be spoken, save by one’s choice and as a second thought. This word must never be placed first within man’s soul, else it becomes a monster, the root of all the evils on earth, the root of man’s torture by men, and of an unspeakable lie.” (Equality 11.15) This quote indicates that Equality doesn’t like that Society. The tone in his voice shows that the word “we” is evil to mankind and doesn’t help men learn individuality. Equality wants men to use “I” because the word “I” is the

Well- known Russian-American author, Ayn Rand, in her novella Anthem, describes a post-apocalyptic world in which individualism has been eradicated. Rand's purpose is to educate readers about the dangers of communism and to encourage readers to break out of the procrustean society while embracing the sense of self. She adopts a tone of pity for the majority of society while maintaining a tone of respect for the courageous two main characters in order to inform American readers about the benefits of capitalism over Communism. Similarly, English author, E.M. Forster, in his novella The Machine Stops, unveils a futuristic society in which all people are subordinate to the Machine. Forster’s purpose is to educate readers about the dangers of technology

Coco Chanel once said “The most courageous act is to think for yourself, aloud.” Imagine living in a society where decisions and life is already planned out, and no input is granted. This is the society that Ayn Rand has built. In Anthem, Ayn Rand uses the main character, Equality 7-2521, to introduce her major issue - individualism. In Anthem, Ayn Rand uses her character Equality 7-2521 to inaugurate the main theme - individualism. Rand does this by showing the importance of individuality by creating a society that allows no alone time, no preference, and no self expression.

I ask none to live for me, nor do I live for any others. I covet no man’s soul, nor is my soul theirs to covet” (Rand, 96). As he embraces his unique thoughts and aspirations, the tone becomes more empowered, reflecting his journey towards personal growth and independence. In Anthem, we see the main character, Equality, go from following the rules of his society to standing up for himself and his ideas. At first, everyone in his world speaks as one, using "we" to show they're all the same.

They passionately believe that all men are equal and one, but also believe that certain people have the authority to punish, and some to decide who is punished, and some to even decide the futures of children at random when they leave the Home of the Students. In a world where glass was considered cutting-edge, Equality conceived a light bulb. Yet, when he eagerly introduced his discovery to the World Council of Scholars, they duplicitously evaded any acknowledgement of what he had created, because of the massive unspoken caste system the people had subconsciously fabricated. He came upon them and their reactions were undesirable, as follows, “Then it was as if a great wind had stricken the hall, for all the scholars spoke at once, and they were angry and frightened. “A street sweeper! A street sweeper walking in upon the World Council of Scholars! It is not to be believed!” “(Anthem 69). This in particular would not be an issue if not for the human instinct to create a hierarchy between people. Equality’s life mandate as a street sweeper did not bind him nor dissolute his curiosity. He had amassed an unattainable amount of discoveries and new technologies while hiding away in an old subway path from the Unmentionable Times, whilst his brothers were brainwashed further with hymns and other exorbitant propaganda. He was attempting to further the knowledge and ease the lives of his brothers, but the perpetual hypocrisy embedded

Ayn Rand's main philosophy was going against collectivism and communism, believing everyone should care about their own individual rights rather than caring for the people. She called this philosophy, Objectivism. Anthem is set in a dystopia where the people are treated as one being and work together to better their humanity. This may be playing as a sort of depiction of the possible future that Rand thought about because our current society focuses all on what is good for the majority of people and not minorities or specific individuals. Equality in this story is the one attempting to get out of this society and not wanting to be apart of this, what feels like, a single being that works in what seems like a hive mind of sorts which can be