Ayn Rand's Anthem

Anthem was written by Ayn Rand and published in 1938. In the beginning of the book I didn’t think much of it. It consisted of a grey city where everyone is equal and works as one, and individualism is nonexistent. This city is controlled by totalitarian leaders. The main character or protagonist, Equality 7-2521 has always been different from the rest, in terms of knowledge, height, and physical strength. Being this way he had a hard time facing society, which would make it the antagonist, as well as the main conflict of the story. While sweeping the streets one day, Equality and his friend International 4-8818, both take notice of a grill on the ground leading to a dark tunnel, they follow it all the way down and it’s clearly left behind

When he escapes from Detention he returns to his tunnel and everything is as it was before. The next morning, Equality walks through the city with his “invention” and arrives at the Home of the Scholars. They are first outraged that he is in their presence considering he is only a street sweeper. He tells them that it is unimportant and shows them his light. All the scholars jumped in fear. They ask if Equality has worked on it alone, he tells them yes. They respond, what is not shared by all cannot be good. One of the scholars points out that this light will destroy the candle industry which has been approved by all men. The scholars reach for the light to destroy it, but Equality leaps out the window with his light and runs into the Uncharted forest. This event was one of the major turning points and conflicts of the story. The next morning Equality wakes up not knowing what to do, because back at home there is a bell every morning to wake all of him and his brothers up. Enjoying the feeling of freedom, he makes his way to a stream, and there it was, his reflection. Equality had never seen himself before. Neither had anyone else from his

Searching through the house, Equality finds a very large collection of books. Time goes on and he reads, not knowing some words. Equality discovers the word “I”. He has found the missing word he was looking for when The Golden One said, we love you on page 86 of chapter nine. This is an example of foreshadowing. He now understands loyalty to one’s self and total individualism, making him a round character since the reader gains so much knowledge about him. As well as a flat character, the reason being is that he maintained the same individualism mindset throughout the whole movie. So excited, Equality gives himself the name “Prometheus,” and The Golden One “Gaea” from gaining knowledge of the books. In the end of the book, the forbidden word is revealed, and ends up being Ego. Which goes along with the title, she chose it to reflect how the book is an anthem to humanity's ego. As I said before this book was written in the form of first person plural. Doing this really helps the reader understand the state of the city’s beliefs and ways of living. It would have been much more confusing if Ayn wrote the book in regular first person. It would also need more explaining throughout the book. Anthem was one of the best books I have read in a long time. Not often do I want to keep reading a book. That’s what Anthem did to me. This book keeps you interested