Analysis Of Anthem By Ayn Rand: The Ego Of Equality

The Ego of Equality We are told today in society's teachings that being an egoist is a fallacious act. The book Anthem by Ayn Rand is the story of one man fighting for individuality in the collectivist society he lives in. It depicts Ayn Rand's philosophy against a collectivist society and supports more freedom for all men. The book advertises the way Ayn Rand believes society should be and promotes happiness for everyone “And my happiness needs no higher aim to vindicate it. My happiness is not the means to an end. It is the end. It is its own goal. It is its own purpose.” Prometheus displays the ways of an egoist by having high confidence, having a clear vision of how it can be good and bad, and clear evidence from a speech in the Fountainhead.

“That man, the unsubmissive and first, stands in the opening chapter of every legend mankind has recorded about its beginnings”(The Soul of an Individualist). The quote can be related to Equality, he was the first person to object to the moral teachings of his society. “Whatever the legend, somewhere in the shadows of its memory mankind knew that its glory began with one and that that one paid for his courage”(The Soul of an Individualist). When others saw Equality’s new invention they took the same steps that others took to seeing this new invention, they all wanted to burn him at the stake. “Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision. Their goals differed, but they all had this in common: that the step was first, the road new, the vision unborrowed, and the response they received—hatred”(The Soul of an Individualist). The quote shows that so many men have taken steps towards new things only to have their dreams taken down by the distaste of others. “His vision, his strength, his courage came from his own spirit. A man’s spirit, however, is his self. That entity which is his consciousness. To think, to feel, to judge, to act are functions of the ego”(The Soul of an Individualist). This shows that a man's spirit is himself to act of anything are functions of one's own self centeredness. This can be related to Equality and the way his journey followed through. He had a vision and he was brought down by the World Council. He then took his vision and took to somewhere better where it would be more appreciated. He thought and felt his dreams better than ever before. This can be known as his