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Analysis Of The Dystopian Society In Anthem, By Ayn Rand

682 Words3 Pages

The novella, Anthem, by Ayn Rand is solely based on a dystopian society. The main character, Equality 7-2521, was born into a society where everyone was to think and look alike. “All expressions of individualism have been suppressed in the world of Anthem...” (aynrand.org) Individuals have absolutely no identity of their own in this society. In Equality’s society, the word “I” is completely banished from their vocabulary. Equality, along with his brothers, only speak in the first-person plural, we. Speaking the word “I” is forbidden and can lead to punishment. “We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, one, indivisible, and forever.” (Rand 8) Equality’s society has this motto, which proves that the only identity …show more content…

Compared to his brothers, Equality shows a difference physically. He is much taller than his brothers, about six feet, and has a very quick mind. “We are six feet tall, and this is a burden, for there are not many men who are six feet tall. Ever have the Teachers and the Leaders pointed to us and frowned and said: “There is evil in your bones, Equality 7-2521, for your body has grown beyond the bodies of your brothers.”” (Rand 5) Any form of difference, physical or mental, was not allowed in this dystopian society. As a student in school, Equality discovered he was smarter than everyone else. He tried to hide this superior intelligence, but did not succeed. Although Equality had no control over how is mind functioned and how he looked, these actions were still considered transgressions, or sins. There are many other reasons the council had for assigning Equality such a menial job. The leaders knew that Equality’s great intellect would lead to advancements in technology that were part of the “Unmentionable Times”, which they were not prepared for. “Equality 7-2521 always displayed a keen intellect and pride. Equality 7-2521 has ambitions to join the Council of Scholars. The Scholars, however, fear what Equality 7-2521 is capable of. To break his spirit and discourage his intellect, Equality is relegated to the menial position of street sweeper.” (gradesaver.com). A job as a

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The society's rules and standards acts as a nemesis toward Equality 7-2521: “We asked many questions and the teacher forbade it” (Rand 23). The society has regulations to keep Equality 7-2521 from learning more than he already knew. In the story Equality 7-2521 tests the rules of the community to explore the unknown. The Council is the protagonist most powerful nemesis because they constantly attempt to make a Equality 7-2521 feel like a threat to the society: “We knew we had been guilty, but now we had a way to atone for it” (Rand 27). The council placed Equality 7-2521 in grades lowered to make him feel like a sin.

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Equality has a new home to which he now lives free of totalitarian rules. Vocations were chosen by the leaders, and Equality and his brothers had no say in what job they were to pursue and were forced to be happy about it. “He declared to all his brothers that a man has rights which neither god nor king nor other men can take away from him, no matter what their number, for his is the right of man, and there is no right on earth above this right.” (Ch. 12, paragraph 5 right side) “We shall never leave this house,” we said, “nor let it be taken from us. This is our home and the end of our journey.

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This made Equality find out who he is and gave him the chance to be an individual. Equality’s views and mindset changes through out the book. He was born in a society where people are named by numbers. A world where people are used as machines. In this world the word “I” is out of existence.

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Despite his awareness of the many transgressions he commits, Equality chases his desires and defies authority. Through his doubt regarding the society, his egocentric outlook, and his love for both knowledge and the Golden One, Equality

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Equality shows little regard for the people around him and even when he makes claims of wanting to help his brothers by lighting his tunnel, the cities of the world and giving a new superior light to his brothers, he holds a selfish hidden motive to be sent to the Home of the Scholars. Equality’s overall assessment of his sins ignores these three actions that are considered to be immoral in modern

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Equality’s greatest strengths and personal qualities were intended to be restricted and abhorred. Indeed, Equality and his gifts were abhorred, but he found a way to circumvent each restriction, consciously or not. And, though he maintained use of his strengths and kept a strong spirit, Equality was never able to permanently influence the society because, as a Street Sweeper, he was no longer part of the great WE. The Council of Vocations mandated Equality to life as a Street Sweeper in order to limit his intellectual opportunities.

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