Individuality In Ayn Rand's Anthem

Throughout Anthem by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 is an embodiment of defiance and independence in a society where it is prohibited.

In Ayn Rand’s book Anthem, the main character Equality finally learns the word “I.” He finally begins to think for himself after years of living in a society where the word “I” was banned. The people in the society that Equality lived in could never think of themselves, but could only think of what would benefit everyone. In an excerpt of a novel titled The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, she talks about individualism versus collectivism. Anthem deals with this topic as well.

In Anthem, citizens are constantly presented the idea that preaches collectivism and extreme loyalty to the state. The protagonist, Equality 7-2521, has grown up in this restrictive civilization and believed all he was told. Equality is exceptional in many aspects that are prohibited, and he has a tendency to disobey the society’s laws. Equality slowly embraces freedom as he discovers his own ego. The author demonstrates humanity’s need for ego through Equality’s futile attempts to be alone, to separate himself from his peers, to escape his restrictive society, and his desperate endeavor to discover a word for his ego.

The Prime Directive In the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand the society that she portrays lives under one injunction, or prime directive, for everyone to be equal. There are numerous rules and controls instituted to help keep the citizens’ in order and while some of them seem to be beneficial, others are constricting the basic rights that every person should have. The one thing that all of the rules do share in common is the restriction of a person's freedom, individuality, and life in general. Ayn Rand knew that by writing this novel, it would spark many conflicting views about equality and liberty in today's world.

The novel “Anthem” by Ayn Rand was a short heartwarming story that was set in the future presumably after World War 3. In Anthem the society uses Collectivism; they live in groups and put the group above individuals. These people live similar to an ant colony their only purpose for existence is for the overall good of the whole. With this being said, people are not to see themselves as anything more than part of the group.

In Ayn Rand’s novella, Anthem, mankind is a philanthropic machine. The brotherhood nobly works together to achieve a common goal. In doing so, each man is asked to disregard his own personal means and goals. For every decision must be a collective thought and every advancement, a joint action. However, one man in this machine malfunctions.

Commonly mistaken as being an ideal way of life, Anthem, by Ayn Rand, emphasizes the negative impacts collectivism has on society. Collectivism, an oppressive concept of prioritizing a group over each individual in it, is practiced and enforced by the Council of Vocations and few citizens question it. The protagonist, Equality 7-2521, rebels against his collectivist society as he discovers individualism, the belief that “individual’s needs are more crucial than a whole society’s needs” (), and its enlightening effects. He quickly recognizes that he is different from others in terms of intelligence and that he is in fact an individual, not just a fragmented piece of a group like he was led to believe. Ayn Rand’s novella, Anthem, highlights the

One of those reasons may be that society discourages individuality. Forcing others to fit the predesigned mold of what a person should be whether that be intelligence wise, personality, or physical appearance. Society would want that all to be the same, and Anthem shows how this aspect of society can upset people. This is seen when the novella states, “It is a sin to think words no others think…” (Rand 17).

Moral Assessment of Anthem In Ayn Rand’s novel, Anthem, Equality lives in a communist society that believes everyone must work for and be exactly like one another. For much of the novel, he believes what the Council of Vocations tells him, despite his intelligence and independence. By the end of the book, he realizes that the idea that everyone is the same and must work for each other is flawed. He deserves to live his own life and enjoy himself.

Individuality allows every person to be themselves and be different from each other. However, In Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem, Rand describes a society where the people were not allowed to openly be themselves, or else they would be punished for being different. The main character, Equality, notices he is different slowly throughout the novella, but kept continuing to be like everyone else for awhile. These rules exist in this society to strip human individuality in order to achieve total equality.

“We say to ourselves that we are a wretch and a traitor,” (Rand 37). Rand provided the inner thoughts of Equality to show that society has ingrained being different as a sin into its citizens. Equality struggled with a moral dilemma of what is truly correct. He had to choose between what he was told to feel and what he truly felt. Equality was supposed to feel ashamed, in actuality, Equality felt clarity.

The novel "Anthem" by Ayn Rand explores the concept of individualism versus collectivism through the story of Equality 7-2521, a young man living in a dystopian society where the word "I" does not exist. In one particular scene, Equality expresses his happiness in living for his brothers, to which they respond, "Indeed you are happy. How else can men be when they live for their brothers?" This statement plays a crucial role in the story and its themes, as well as its relevance to our own lives. Brotherhood is a central theme in "Anthem," as it is the driving force behind society's collective mentality.

Collectivism and Selfishness in Anthem Imagine living in a world where everybody's lives are completely mapped out by the government. Where every decision is made without the input of the citizens it affects. In the novella Anthem, Ayn Rand depicts a completely collectivist society, where every idea, action, and invention is purely for the benefit of society as a whole. Everything is done with the entire population in mind, and individuality is extremely frowned upon.

One of Rand’s quotes, “Don’t hesitate to sacrifice” (Ayn), is very well shown by Equality 7-2521. Ayn Rand beautifully expressed this idea of collectivism versus individualism in Anthem with her character Equality

Every person is unique and have their own opinions on certain topics. In the novel, Anthem, by Ayn Rand, she talks of the struggles of an egotistical individual with greater curiosity than his society allows. This man, Equality 7-2521, creates the invention of electricity, and instead of being applauded, he is condemned. He struggles through the various rules and laws of his society, for he is completely different from all of his brothers. In an excerpt called “The Soul of an Individualist”, Rand elaborates on the idea of an individualist, and allows the reader to get a better view at how passionate she is about one’s self.