Choices And Consequences Of Discovery In Ayn Rand's Anthem

In the book Anthem by Ayn Rand, Equality lives in a world where individuality is a sin. He finds himself smarter, taller, and stronger than his brothers. As he’s exploring one day, he finds a tunnel where he discovers something new. Deciding whether to show the Scholars his discovery or not is a difficult decision Equality makes in the book. If the Scholars don't approve of his invention, he could be punished for the crime he committed. He believes showing the Scholars this discovery will not only benefit his brothers but also give him a seat with the Scholars.

While Equality is going through the decision making process of whether or not he wants to show the Scholars, he thinks about the choices and consequences that this decision includes. “We can give our brothers a new light, cleaner and brighter than any they have ever known” (Rand 60). Equality writes this quote in his journal to express what he believes his motivation is for showing the Scholars his light box. Although, he also believes that he doesn't owe

He writes, “Our discovery is too great for us to waste our time in sweeping the streets” (Rand 60). Equality knows he is worth more than he is perceived. As he writes more he starts to realize his real motivation for telling the Scholars about his discovery: possibly getting himself out of the Home of the Street Sweepers and into the Home of the Scholars. He doesn't confirm it with himself until after he goes through with showing the Scholars and being rejected. “We have not built this box for the good of our brothers. We built it for its own sake” (Rand 76). Selfishness is something Equality experiences for the first time during this time period. Ayn Rand herself says “each individual should live for his own happiness” (Rand). In a society like the one Equality lives in, I think he has every right to be a little