Equality 7-2521: A Literary Analysis

Throughout history, individuals have shown a trend in escaping situations in which they were in captivity. Similarly, this trend hold true in literature, as well. Alice Walker’s The Color Purple exemplifies this idea, as her protagonist, Celie, escapes from an abusive relationship by the end of the novel. Furthermore, Ayn Rand’s Anthem conveys the same message, for the main character of the novel, Equality 7-2521, eventually leaves the oppressive society in which he grew up. Essentially, in both novels, the characters manage to escape wrongful captivity, but they show both similarities and differences in trying to achieve this act. Firstly, the reason that Celie is placed in “captivity” is because she is sold to Albert, her abusive husband, by her emotionally and sexually abusive father, Alphonso. Ultimately, Alphonso “talks up” Celie, so to describe her as an ideal, submissive wife. Alphonso says about Celie, “She ugly. She don’t even look like she kin to Nettie. But she’ll make the better wife…” (Walker 8). Basically, Walker is utilizing Alphonso so to employ the characterization of Celie. In this characterization, it is revealed that Celie’s qualities maker her a suitable candidate for Albert’s wife, being that she is submissive, even despite her

Basically, Equality 7-2521 seeks to utilize his new invention, even if it means being reprimanded. In short, he’s smitten with his invention. He writes, “We forget all men, all laws, and all things save our metals and our wires” (Rand 18). Equality 7-2521 uses parallelism to show his lack of care for all things except his invention, which evidently means the world to him. Basically, Equality 7-2521 gives little regard for anything in the world, as all his attention is diverted towards his invention, underscoring his vast love for the object, which ultimately motivates him to escape his city, in which he’s being held captive by the oppressive