Essays on Anthem By Ayn Rand

Published 1961, Anthem by Ayn Rand was thought to be written against socialism/collectivism, but in turn, was nothing like that. Of course, it cannot be ignored how Rand explores different ideologies through her protagonist, Equality 7-2521, later known as Prometheus. In Rand’s novella Anthem, Prometheus is constantly debating whether his I-society is more desirable than the council’s we-society ideology, until he realizes that the I-society ideology is more profitable because it allows freedom and its version of equality is more…

Abstract This examination lays out the fine line in between paradises and dystopias. It examines the subject of when and how the shift from an utopia to a dystopia can occur, examining the characteristics that comprise an utopia and a dystopia. This investigation will take a look at 2 utopian/dystopian narratives. In both books, we will see characteristics of a dystopia, and be further exposed to two different lives under a "utopian" neighborhood. We will examine The Provider by Lois…

The Great Rebellion to Declaration of Independence Independence has always been a desire and something worth living for. Along with independence comes rebellion. Gaining independence not only requires courage and strength, but also rebellion to go against authorities and do the unimaginable. In the future societies portrayed by four different pieces of literature, life is lived based on a collective society. In the world that many live in today, independence is granted. However, in the world of Anthem, Antz, Fahrenheit…

A look at the use of archetypes in Ayn Rand's "Anthem" "Anthem" QUOTATION COMMENTARY (p. 18) "The walls are cracked and water Water represents the mystery of creation, the runs upon them in thin threads without cycle of death, and rebirth. The color black sound, black and glistening as blood." is a color of mystery and the unknown. The Home of the Street Sweepers is a mystery to Equality. He doesn't understand why things happen. The water and the color…

The word "Ego" can be described as one's individual possession, one's conscious mind or the identity of one's self. Your ego is every single part of you. It is your body, blood, brain, and mind. It is ultimately you as a person. In Anthem by Ayn Rand, a futuristic society is displayed where there is no "I"; there is only "We". Equality 7-2521 discovers the truth to his shattered world and truly realizes what the word "I" really means. In…

No “I” and no “you”, just “we. ” How could we live in a world like that? Ayn Rand’s book shows a twisted and different form of collectivism. Everyone is told what they have to do for the rest of their future. Children are not even allowed to know who their parents are and are never given the chance to meet them. Although, only one shines in the society that no one else may see until now. Equality finds it…

Anthem by Ayn Rand is a political satire that makes one appreciate how fortunate the citizens of a country with so many freedoms, like America, are. Freedoms to choose one’s own destiny and explore the untouched frontiers of the scientific world are gifts that should never be, but often are, taken for granted. Rand’s bold novel that pokes fun at the stringent laws of communism reveals that her own political stance would be greatly supported by the first and second…

Early twentieth century literature saw the invention of the dystopian literature genre, which is characterized by a society that has become dysfunctional due to a particular philosophical flaw, in this case, altruism and collectivism. This essay investigates how the themes of individualism and collectivism are portrayed in two early twentieth century works: Yevgeny Zamyatin's We and Ayn Rand's Anthem. We was selected as the subject of investigation due to its originality - Zamyatin was considered the inventor of the modern…

The book Anthem by Ayn Rand expresses the true meaning of the word “ego.” The definition says its meaning but the story itself shows it with actions. Ego means the self aspect of an individual that thinks, forms values, and makes judgments. In Anthem it refers to the need individuals have to be liberated from collectivism, free to use their own minds and express individual uniqueness. This word has a lot to do with the book and the purpose of…

In the book Anthem, Equality 7-2521 (Equality) lived in a society where everyone was equal and treated with disrespect. The society had no tolerance for being different and having their own opinion and ideas. People couldn’t even pursue the career they dreamed of having. They were punished for disobeying any of these “rules”. Despite Equality’s strict society, his motivations in conducting his experiments are finding individuality, starting a new revolution, finding freedom, and trying to become a scholar. Equality’s inspiration,…

Individualism is one of the most wondrous themes of literature because of its contribution to the pursuit of human dignity. Individualism is a moral stance and a philosophical concept which puts emphasis on the moral worth and the supreme and intrinsic value of human beings (Lukes 51). Literature has proved to be an outlet for an artist's own definition of individualism. Due to the fact that such philosophical concept is associated with so many aspects of life including society and…

1.The sins/ wrongs that Equality 7-2521 accuses himself of are •Sin to write •Sin to think words no others think and to put them down on paper no others are to see •We have committed a greater crime, and for this crime there is no name •We are alone here under the earth. The laws say that non among men may be alone, ever and at any time. •We were born with a curse. It has always driven us to…