Individualism in "Anthem" by Ayn Rand Essay

“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”

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 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.

Set in a dystopian society in the future, the novella Anthem written by Ayn Rand is all about being a collective society which doesn’t believe in individualism. Ayn Rand constructs a society in which individualism is a transgression. The government enforces the idea of collectivism to the society. They believe that in the human race each person is not single. The protagonist, Equality 7-2521 wants to be an independent person. He wants to be free. As stated in the novel, “To be free, a man must be free of his brothers.” This statement means that in order to be successful, he has to be his own person. As the novel goes on Equality 7-2521 learns to be an independent man and frees himself from the society which forces collectivism.

Throughout the novel, Anthem, and a speech from Fountainhead, written by Ayn Rand, it expresses the argument between individualism vs collectivism. An individual is a person who has control of his or herself, while a collectivist is someone whose hard work benefits their society. Although, another ideology that Ayn Rand mentions in her literature is egoism, throughout her books the significant meaning of being an egoist is considered a good thing, but in our modern society today we consider it a trait reflected by a selfish person.

brought them for a civilization where the word ?I? did not exist to a world

What fire represents in Fahrenheit 451 is, as established, strongly connected with the development of the main character. From it having the sole purpose of sabotaging not only objects but thoughts as well, to it being the reason why society will once again have the ability to live long and prosper. Ultimately, fire stands for newly found hope and an opportunity for improvement, even if it means destruction in the

“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

Set in the age where government has become synonymous with oppressor, Anthem by Ayn Rand focuses on the perspective of Equality, a boy who grew up nestled underneath the boot of collectivism trying to find an identity. Equality’s narrative expresses both Rand’s fears and hopes for the society where government threatened to rein all. To comprehend fully what devices and mechanics that Rand did to implement her predictions of civilization under the tyranny, you must take into consideration the rhetorical theories of great rhetoricians like Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero. While Plato and Cicero’s theories explained details and choices, Aristotle’s theories explained how Rand introduced her paramount message and supported it.

Egoist; A self-centered or selfish person. This term is mistaken for being narcissistic and wrong. Self-motivation and individuality should never be seen as a bad thing. There is a difference between bragging and being an egoist. Bragging is rubbing one's pride in another's face and Egoism is being proud of oneself. Egoism is seen as self obsession in today’s society, when the reality is it promotes difference and self-motivation.

When most people think of the forthcoming, they think of the evolution of technology. Yet, the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand contrasts your thoughts of the impending. This future date in the story is a dark age where technological advancements are planned out and individuality is nonexistent. The protagonist, Equality 7-2521 is a noble an independent young man who challenges the rules of the Society, who is the antagonist of the novel. Being that Society opposes self freedom and voice, Equality 7-2521 is in a constant battle to hide his true feelings throughout the plot. Equality 7-2521 progresses the plot by showing the readers how he chooses to deal with the Society's rules. Also demonstrating how he decides to break away from the Society when it becomes too overwhelming.

Throughout the novel Anthem, Ayn Rand shows how having flaws is not always a disadvantage but an advantage. In this novel it teaches us about rebellion and individual responsibility in various amounts of ways. Starting off with going against the current of what everyone else believes in. The main character in this book does so leading him into a life he has unknowingly wished for. Another way this novel educates us about rebellion and individual responsibility is accepting that not everyone will agree with what he believed in. Lastly , leaving the town to access a better life that fits him ideally.

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.

Losing Individuality in Anthem is an everyday thing that the society people must deal with. Anthem is different, because in its society where a person has no voice, the town’s government expects the people to have no free rights. Losing individuality comes from strict laws, loss of family, and control of education.

Sharing is caring. This we are taught from a very young age, that if we do not share with our peers then we do not care about them and, therefore, are despicable human beings. However, members of modern western society are not the only ones taught this, as it is also ingrained in the heads of Anthem society members. “All things on Earth belong to all men” (p.46). I high key want to die