Collectivism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

A city based on stifling collectivism that is challenged by one young man who discovers freedom through individuality perfectly describes Ayn Rand’s book Anthem. Anthem depicts a society oppressed by stripping each member from any ounce of individuality. Ayn Rand is commonly known for her view points on collectivist and centralized political standpoints as her philosophies are the structure of many pieces of her writing. Her writings are a publicized way of creating controversy with her opinions. Rand’s philosophy goes entirely against the belief that the individual should be subjugated to the group and sacrificed for the common good which in turn is the main focus of Anthem. Through this piece of writing Rand purposely uses literary devices

In order for Rand to capture the ideology of how disgraced individuality is within this society, she had to ignite a feeling of sympathy for the main character from the reader. By creating this sympathy for the main character, referred to as Equality, the reader gains a deeper appreciation and understanding of how individual thought could be such a heinous crime. Rand executes this greatly by pulling emotion from the reader in order for a connection between the reader and the main character to be reached. Examples from the book itself include, ”We were born with a curse. It has always driven us to thoughts which are forbidden. It has always given us wishes which men may not wish. We know that we are evil, but there is no will to increase us and no power to resist it. This is our wonder and our secret fear, that we know and do not resist.” (Paragraph 7) which creates the understanding that Equality is an intellectual outcast

Many times throughout this writing linked relationships between darkness and light can be identified to signify and foreshadow Equality’s thoughts and developments as he explores a new sense of individuality. Symbolism examples such as, “And in the darkness, in the secret hour, when we awoke in the night and there were no brothers around us…we thought that we wished to be sent to the Home of the Scholars'' (Paragraph 23) which symbolizes the “evil” Equality is committing due to him having egotistical thoughts. Other examples such as, “Thus did it come to pass that each night, when the stars are high , we, Equality 7-2521, steal out and run through the darkness to our place.” (Paragraph 64) and, “Each night for three hours we are under the earth, alone.” (Paragraph 64) demonstrating the same correlation between darkness and the exploration of being alone. These quotes are evidence of the literary device ethos which uses ethical stand points to challenge what is right and wrong according to the author’s argument. This ethical approach to the symbolism and correlation between the night and darkness and these being the only times when self thought can take place for Equality sways the reader’s perspective and views on this society. Ethos techniques can strengthen an author’s persuasion