Ego is currently thought of as a cruel trait to have in a person, but is it really as demonic as people make it out to be. The novel Anthem by Ayn Rand contains the character ,Prometheus, who has been debated as whether he is an egoist or not, but is he evil for it. Ego can be a complicated friend. On one side of the scale it can be a great ally or a cruel enemy. When Prometheus created the light, he didn’t make it for his fellow men he made it on his own, for himself. He eventually showed others and punished for it. Similar to the man who first created fire in the “Soul of the Individualist”. He made it to help himself survive, to see in the dark and to protects himself from enemies. He only chose to be kind when he showed it to his
Imagine a world that has lacked in society and acted as if no one should be given freedom or opportunities. Placed in the future, is a community full of people who have been beaten by the word “we”, has been taught as if freedom does not exist, and has been stuck in the ways of the past. The place with such limited amount of imagination is Anthem. Anthem has many rules to follow and to obey, such as to not favor one person over another, and those who dare to disobey any of the rules will be beaten or sent to Palace of Corrective Detention. The people are to wear a bracelet that has their name carved on it and are to call themselves we instead of I.
Unlike during the Unmentionable Times, when men created “towers [that] rose to the sky,” it is an affliction to be born with powerful intellectual capacity and ambition in Ayn Rand’s apocalyptic, nameless society in Anthem. Collectivism is ostensibly the moral guidepost for humanity, and any perceived threat to the inflexible, authoritarian regime is met with severe punishment. The attack on mankind’s free will and reason is most evident in the cold marble engraving in the Palace of the World Council: “We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, One, indivisible and forever” (6). Societal norms force homogeneity and sacrifice among all people.
An individual in an authoritarian socialist society has no ability to prosper because it is in the best interest of the government to keep the people down. This allows for easy control over the people by the government. In Anthem, you are held back as an individual and are not allowed to prosper because goes against your brothers. If you have “What is not done collectively cannot be good”(Rand 73). The quote was said by a scholar in anthem.
The United States of America is one of the most prideful countries in the world. We dedicate July 4th to our independance, proudly wear red, white, and blue, and we join together in many rhymes of patriotism. The Pledge of Allegiance is one of the many ways we show our pride towards our country. In the novel Anthem, by Ayn Rand, a scripture reminiscent of the pledge is repeated by the narrator in times of temptation. The scripture, however, sends a very different message.
What is happiness? Everyone has a different answer. Some people say that happiness is eating delicious food in superior hotels; some people say that happiness is dancing in beautiful halls, and other people say that happiness is sitting in BMW cars. However, when I read Prometheus, I think happiness is selfless dedication. No matter in the myth or in the real life, there are many selfless people such as Yang Shanzhou.
Firstly, he did care for his own things like his own knowledge, his own life, and his own invention. In fact, he once said, “So long a road lies before us, and what care we if we must travel it alone!” (Rand 54). But he soon counteracts these thoughts later into the story. He then wanted to show his brethren what he created and he wanted to share his life with Gaia, also known as Liberty or the Golden One, and when she was lying next to him in bed, he soon admits “This is our home” (Rand 88).
Edison invented the lightbulb in 1879, and today it powers more than 20 million appliances(LED). In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, the government enforces “fairness” forbidding any distinct skills keeping their citizens dull. Equality 7-2521 the main protagonist, wants to escape from this norm even if the government forbids it; leading to the discovery of remnants from the unmentionable times, and then fully betraying the government as a whole. Equality throughout the book starts to slowly develop an understand about individuality, during his work with the box, representing Rand's beliefs of individuality being ultimate power when compared to a group. Equality thinks the unmentionable times would help prove himself worthy even if it defies the great truth.
When one is confined to society and held captive against their ego, it is imperative that they learn to eulogize their own individuality, and learn to improve themselves. In Ayn Rand’s novella, Anthem, Rand uses Equality 7-2521 to communicate the importance of the individual. Equality has always had his own sense of individuality that causes him to stand out and defy the social norms. His individuality allows him to persevere and diverge from collectivist society.
In Anthem by Ayn Rand, there are many uses of symbolism throughout the entire novel. Specifically, the quote (found on page 52) “The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but for those who will seek them.” is a great example of this. Equality 7-2521, a street curious street sweeper discovers a new way to create light and control electricity while working underground late at night. Equality then returns several times, experimenting and improving this newfound power.
Anthem is a story written by Ayn Rand as a propaganda piece portraying the evils of communism. The book takes place in the future in a undisclosed city surrounded by forest. In this city a collectivist society dwells. The conflict of Anthem is character vs. society where one man by the name of Equality decides to go against his broken government. Equality took a stand against his broken society, he has defied the council of scholars and his government, had a relation with a women, and escaped the city to The Uncharted Forest.
To fully control a man, dictators must not only enslave his body, but also destroy his mind. The leaders in Anthem seek to accomplish this tyrannical end by putting the new born generation in schools where all of there education and freedom are limited. Those who are old enough to have there own opinions are either convinced to agree with the council are are punished for opposing the council. Equality is an example of a person who gets punished for being to smart and also being taller than the others. When Equality discovered electricity he was punished for it.
The passage, Anthem, is a science fiction novel written by Ayn Rand. It is mainly about the protagonist, Equality 7-2521's, futuristic journey on rediscovering various aspects of human’s nature. Concepts such as individualism and freedom have been lost due to the oppressive rule of the government, serving as the main antagonist of the novel. Throughout the passage, Anthem, the author uses the literary element of theme. The theme is the main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work.
In the novella Anthem, individual rights and freedom do not exist. The word “I” is prohibited to be spoken by men. Equality 7-2521 is a street sweeper of the city and he is different from the others in the society. Equality is more intelligent, taller, learns quicker, and he enjoys learning about science; especially how things move and work. Since the word “I” is the unspeakable word, Equality uses the word “We” to resemble that he is doing these actions .
Ayn Rand’s Anthem takes place in a strict, collectivist society. The protagonist in the novel is named Equality 7-2521. He has always felt as though he is somewhat of an outcast in his society. Freedom and individual rights, including individual thought, have been outlawed. Equality 7-2521 is a Street Sweeper of the city.
Anthem is a very symbolic novel that reinforces and expresses Ayn Rand's beliefs. The novel Anthem focuses on collectivism which is the thought that everything should be done for the good of the group. Great examples of symbolism is the uncharted forest, the name prometheus and the light bulb. The uncharted forest is in part a symbol of the unknown.