Anthem, by Ayn Rand, is a book that deals with topics of power, love, and individualism, and societal and personal differences . The theme of anthem, that individuality must be protected, is widespread and prominent, referenced throughout the book, from the viewpoint of the main character.
This will go over the character, the time, and the setting in the book, helping to show and understand the theme because the author can convey plot points and themed information better through the components of the book themselves, rather than outright stating it in the book.
The character helps understand the theme in the story, that individuality must be treasured in our society, because it shows what the emotional and physical links to the society in the book, as well as the mental states and feelings influencing the text.
The main character is named “Equality 7-252”. He described himself as 6’, and he had always been more interested in the scientific attributes of nature, rather than the job at hand. He held little regard for the rules of the society, as shown by his disregard to law. “The laws say that none among men may be alone, ever and at any time, for this is the great transgression and the root of all evil. But we have broken many laws,” (Rand )
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 character and the setting work together to help find the theme in multiple ways. The characters lives and works in the setting, while the setting and society helps influence the main character. The setting shows where the character lives in the world, and how the culture in
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
Character Development of Equality 7-2521 in Anthem In Anthem the author highlights a first person point of view through symbolism and light and dark imagery to establish how the protagonist becomes more of an individual after escaping his collective society. Throughout the passage, Ayn Rand frequently incorporates symbolism to emphasize the first person point of view, in turn establishing Equality 7-2521’s character development towards embracing its originality. This passage of Anthem takes place shortly after the protagonist, or the narrator, makes his escape from society and finds himself in the “Uncharted Forest”. This place is off limits, making it a prime spot for him to run to so that the Counsel does not go looking for him.
“Anthem" by Ayn Rand and the dystopian movie "2081" offer contrasting yet complementary explorations of dystopian themes, highlighting the dangers of oppressive societies and the power of individualism to overcome tyranny. Both works portray cultures where authoritarian rule and obedience are the norm, nevertheless, they diverge in how they show the heroes' journeys to freedom and what ultimately transpires in their own realms. An important resemblance between "Anthem" and "2081" is how they both portray dystopian societies in which individuality is stifled and conformity is mandated. The main character of "Anthem," Equality, lives in a world where it is illegal to use the term "I" and where people are stripped of their individual identities in favor of group identity.
Equality 7-2521 also gives the impression of being rather self-absorbed, which is not necessarily a negative feature when all one has ever known is “we” and not “I.” In the novel, Rand expresses Equality 7-2521’s struggle to realize his own importance as an individual through many different points in the novel, particularly once he comes across what he feels gives him purpose, such as his adoration for science and his partner, who he calls “The Golden One.” When the possibility of losing either one surfaces, he begins to deny what he previously knew and instead firmly believes in putting himself before anybody he deems unworthy of his time. In the line “I am done with the monster of ‘We,’ the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood and shame,” it is clear to see that Equality 7-2521 is now conscious of
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.
Rand had an infatuation with a French author that influenced her life’s work much like Equality. He became incited by the acts of the Transgressor of the Unspeakable word. Rand wrote, “There was no pain in their eyes and no knowledge of the agony of their body. There was only joy in them, and pride, a pride holier than it is fit for human pride to be”(51). The acts of the Transgressor planted the idea in Equality that dying for what you believe in is worth more than sercoming to society.
“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
The oppression used in the novel “ ANTHEM”, Ayn Rand demonstrates that you should always follow your goals no matter the obstacles along the way. The main character “Equality 7-2521” decides to do a sequence of events even if the actions taken are against the government. The decisions taken by Equality 7-2521 at the beginning of the novel affects his life at the end of the novel in a positive way. The main character went through many obstacles to achieve happiness. Rand uses imagery and diction to convey the oppression of her novel “ANTHEMS” setting, which conveys to the reader the theme that “Speaking your mind and following your true desires bring happiness.”
It is tragic to think about we do not want to be unique in ourselves and keep chasing to be like others. We like to be beautiful like others, smart like others and so on. In this literature, the government sets the handicaps for people to end chasing each other not to be inferior. It could be a brilliant idea but as readers, we could notice the adverse side of being equal. The characters are equally living.
¨It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and put them down on a paper no others are to see¨ - Equality 7-2521 (17). This quote grabs the reader's attention right of the bat. The Anthem, written by Ayn Rand is about Equality 7-2521 who lives in a world where ¨I¨ does not exist. It is forbidden to think about something not everyone thinks.
Ayn Rand's Anthem shows us her view of our world united under what seems to be communist rule. For example their view of right and wrong; which Anthem portrays is a system of very strict rules which mainly make sure that everyone is involved in a collective role within the society in this system no one is considered an individual or that they can even think as an individual.
Equality slowly becomes his own person and therefor gradually starts to break the laws. In the very beginning he know his breaking he law but does not stop “It is a sin to write this… it is base and evil”(Rand 17) shows he is no a slave to the government and has his own mind. He wasn’t told to do this and came up with it his self, shows uniqueness and independency.
Literary elements are the “universal constituents of literature”(literary devices, n.d.) and be found in any oral or written story. Plots, settings, and characters are a necessity and needed if a story is to work. The plot is a series of events and character actions that relate to the central conflict. The character is a person, animal, or item who takes part in the action of a short story or
The characterization of the people and world surrounding the main character creates a connection to the
The writing of the author’s work depicts the author’s purpose in the novel. With the tragic society that Equality 7-2521 survives in, it not only proclaims the major conflicts in the story, but also passes along Ayn Rand’s writing on how it contributes to expressing the conflicts even further. The prime conflict is individualism itself in a world that doesn’t follow the philosophy of one’s attributions to be upheld. It doesn’t exist because of a society that sways the course of people’s lives, coming in the way to maintain an atmosphere with no higher power than another. "We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, One, indivisible and forever."(Rand, 1) This is shown in the novel because Equality 7-2521 cannot go ahead with what he wants to have for himself in life which is to be in the Home of the Scholars but instead is assigned to become a Home Sweeper. Moreover, the style that Ayn Rand uses in her writing gives the readers the better awareness of how strict the society is that not even the narrator can speak and refer about himself. It is a sin for anyone to fall in love and choose their own mate as Equality 7-2521 wants and des with Liberty 5-3000. He went to prison for writing, doing scientific experiments inside a hidden tunnel, falling in love and most of all presenting to the council an invention that doesn’t exist in a world without advanced technology. The manner that she uses helps to spread across the message about a society that