Character Analysis Of Equality 7-2521 In Ayn Rand's Anthem

Throughout the novella, Anthem, Ayn Rand creates a collectivist society that displays a futuristic perspective of the “Dark Ages” during the corruption of the government. Born into a society that despised individuality, Equality 7-2521 faces several hardships. While growing up Equality 7-2521 notices his differences from his brothers, including his growing curiosity to learn more. Though this goes against what his society was taught to be, which is equal to one another. No one is allowed to be better than the next person. Equality 7-2521 views on the council changes into an awakening towards their true actions shown in the society. This allows Equality 7-2521 discovering more of himself as well as questioning the moral of his leaders. Indeed,

When the council of the home questions him, they were not accepting of his answer that he had given , therefore they tortured him in the corrective detention. Certainly, this goes to show how corrupted the society has become. But over time in the “prison” it foreshadows Equality’s desire to leave. Besides, it was not hard for him though because, “for men have never defied their council’s so far as to escape from whatever place they were ordered to be” ( Rand 67). At the same time,the council knows that their superior with how they brainwashed their people to almost come to the extent of being more than selfless, because of their code “We are one in all and all in one.There are no men but only the great WE, one, indivisible and forever”( Rand 19). For this purpose, it can be inferred that they know, no one will ever defy them. Because of this, Equality uses it to his full advantage. Constantly his keen for insights does not hinder his spirit. Equality differentness from his “brothers” doesn’t affect him. Equality personifies fear on page 46, stating, “ Fear walks through the city, fear without name, without shape. All men feel it and none dare to speak”( Rand 46 ). This leads to Equality finding more of himself as well as the

Perhaps in the beginning, after the unmentionable times, they truly wanted to help better their society. But the leaders in the society had the wrong idea.Granted Equality, as well as others have proved that being in a society of “WE” deprives you of your true self. By Equality leaving the society he used to call home, he represents a new generation. A society that allows everyone to have a voice and self expression. Starting with Equality’s (Prometheus) son being born into this new “world” of selfness and independence. Creating a generation of “brothers” that work together to help the society function, but not to be known as