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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 beneficial to humanity.
One reason why the I-society is more desirable is because it allows and encourages freedom.
When Prometheus re-discovers the word “I”, he realizes that “[he is] done with the monster of “We”, the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood and shame” (Rand 97).
In his mind, he has made a connection between “we” and “trapped”, while “I” is equal to “freedom”. He now understands that as everyone tried to simulate being one person, they have fallen into misery and serfdom (essentially the absence of freedom).
After reading that freedom motivated men, Prometheus began to wonder what was freedom and from what would someone be free of? Answering himself, he decided that “there is nothing to take a man’s freedom away from him, save other men.
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To be free a man must be free of his brothers” (101). This is what freedom is to him, and he knows that in an I-society to open the doors of glory, man is moved by the idea of someone’s freedom.
After reading the success of men in history Prometheus firmly believes that freedom was the cause of it.
Following the moment he defines freedom, he notes that in history “man was enslaved by the gods.
But he broke their chains… he declared to all his brothers that a man has rights which neither god nor king nor other men can take away from him… he stood on the threshold of the freedom… blood of centuries behind him had spilled” (Rand 101-102). Though he notes that freedom may cost lives, he reminds the reader that man can get what they want by being inspired by freedom, and because the I-society encourages freedom, humanity will be at the gates of glory and accomplishment.
In addition, Prometheus’ I-society is more desirable because the Council’s we-society’s image of equality is no better than Prometheus’. Even though the Council’s goal is to have a perfectly equal society, its idea of equality is not what true equality looks like, one example being that “if [they] went to the Home of the Scholars, [they] could learn from [the Earth] also. [They] could ask questions of these, for [the Council does] not forbid it” (Rand 24). If the we-society in theory truly believed in equality, all the citizens would be able —in this case— to ask questions and learn with no problem, but instead, the we-society’s ideology is to divide work “equally”. Aside from that, there is a clear class/work division, as seen in the World Council of Scholars when Prometheus announces he is a street sweeper, and scholars spoke at once: “a street sweeper! A street sweeper walking in upon the World Council of Scholars!... It is against all the rules and all the laws!” (69). The scholars cannot imagine someone below them in the working hierarchy dare to walk in where they have all gathered, proving that their version of equality is not better than the I-society.
On the other hand, Prometheus understands that “[he is] not a servant of their needs… [he covets] no man’s soul, nor is [his] soul theirs to covet… [he] shall choose [his] friends… but neither slaves nor masters… and [he] shall love and respect [them], but neither command nor obey” (Rand 95-96). Because Prometheus’ way of thinking is his I-society ideology, it is safe to assume that in theory, in an I-society, all citizens would truly be equal because no one is a slave or a master.
Of course, each ideology has its defects, and it cannot be ignored that the I-society ideology implements, and most probably encourages, egoism. Aside from the fact that the word itself “EGO” is what Prometheus chooses to be his banner, he sneers at his predecessors, stating that “they perished with their banners smeared by their own blood. And they chose to perish… [he sends his] salute across the centuries, and [his] pity” (Rand 103). It could be argued that an I-society makes someone only think about themselves and become egoistic, but it must not be forgotten how the I-society highly wished for true equality for everyone. The reason might be selfish, but the result is not.
Thus, Prometheus’ I-society ideology is more desirable than the we-society. It is important to understand that even though both ideologies are trying to lead humanity to the most successful and comfortable life, the ideas utilized to reach this goal must be compared to see which one is more beneficial. If not, the choice that sounds the most reasonable to several people can end up being the wrong one, such as how the we-society perceives equality with dividing work and not allowing others to ask questions if they are not scholars, or how freedom is completely absent from the ideology’s main points. An I-society as presented by Prometheus will lead his civilization into the gates of glory and honor, not slavery and shame, and society will advance.
We Society Versus I Society. (2021, Dec 03). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/we-society-versus-i-society-essay
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