ipl-logo

Equality 7-2521 In Dystopian Literature

725 Words3 Pages

In dystopian literature, society tries to force everyone to conform to its rules and norms, and only by breaking these rules does the main character obtain happiness. Equality 7–2521 in the novella Anthem, by Ayn Rand, and Guy Montag, in Ray Bradbury's novel Fahrenheit 451 are examples of heroes who break the chains that society has put them in. The protagonists in Anthem and Fahrenheit 451 defy societal norms by seeking knowledge, which then leads to them changing the lives of others, and reaching personal freedom.
Knowledge is forbidden in these dystopian societies, and by obtaining it, the main character gains confidence and power. For example, Equality says "We wished to know. We wished to know about all the things which make the earth …show more content…

To illustrate, Equality dreams "And the day will come when I shall break all the chains of the earth, and raze the cities of the enslaved, and my home will become the capital of a world where each man will be free to exist for his own sake"(Rand 104). For a Equality freedom means being able to think for himself and to be an individual. In the end, the Equality found his freedom on the top of the mountain, in his little house, with Liberty by his side. In the same way, Montag expressed "We'll just start walking today and see the world and the way the world walks around and talks, the way it really looks"(Bradbury 154). With the city destroyed, and everybody believing that he is dead, Montag is free to start rebuilding his life. The first thing Montag wants to do is go back to the city, save any survivors, and share the knowledge of the past, so that mankind does not feel the need to destroy itself once again. Freedom can mean different things for different people, but without freedom there is no hope. The main characters in Anthem & Fahrenheit 451 use knowledge to gain the confidence that allows them to inspire others, and seek their freedom. Once the Equality 7-2521, in Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem, obtains knowledge he's able to run away with Liberty to build a new society where everyone is free to think for themselves. When Guy Montag, in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, started reading books he determined that by knowing what has happened in the past, he may be able to prevent the bad things from reoccurring. Knowledge is the key to discovering who you are, what you want, and then finding a way to obtain

Show More
Related
169 Words | 1 Pages

Knowledge is power in the world and in the world of Fahrenheit 451. Ray Bradbury emphasises this theme, and in the interview he his theme is that the more you know the more powerful you will be. In the interview with Ray Bradbury he says “Teachers inspire, libraries teach. This shows he believes that a book can teach you, but only a person can make you want to learn. In the book Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Beatty has a dream and in this dream Montag says “ Knowledge is power.

Read More
953 Words | 4 Pages

In the books Fahrenheit 451 and Anthem, by Ray Bradbury and Ayn Rand, the societies displayed are very different from modern day societies. In Anthem the main character, Equality 7-2521, is a young man who lives in a society where there is absolutely no individuality personality wise and it is basically considered a sin to be different than others. In Fahrenheit 451 the main character, Guy Montag, lives in a society where no one thinks independently, it is illegal to read, and no one really cares about anything. Both societies restrict free thinking, but both do it in ways different than the other. In both books the main characters meet someone who changes their lives for the better.

Read More
571 Words | 3 Pages

Writers use dystopian literature to get the reader to avoid terrible events that could occur in the future. In Ayn Rand’s novel, Anthem, and in Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, both novels share rebellious protagonists in order to show the corruption of society by control and education. Montag and Equality both rebel by taking items they should not have and then they both escape society. Their methods of rebelling were the beginning of a new age for their society.

Read More
1418 Words | 6 Pages

Cost of Happiness In the book Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is writing about how certain aspects of life can affect the happiness of the people 's lives. Also, people do not want to have change when it comes to having peace of mind when the people are coming from work or school or whatever the person does during the day. Furthermore, people need to be able to make the decision of getting the knowledge or education that is needed for the purpose of letting other people know that--that human being knows what the person is talking about. Moreover, some people do want to learn but some do not and that is the sad part of have the world goes round because if a person does not want to the availability to understand an ideas that the person does

Read More
1260 Words | 6 Pages

Fahrenheit 451 Theme Analysis Sir Francis Bacon once said, “ipsa scientia potestas est” or “knowledge is power” and we often say this to encourage education amongst others. However, the power and knowledge struggle in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a prevalent theme in the book. For example, books and other forms of entertainment of similar substance are banned and even burned regularly because of this. Also, many people (because they don’t know) are unwilling to learn and even go as deep as to fear them. The public fears knowledge of this capacity because the government makes them afraid, but the government is no different- they also fear an educated public that have opinions and to a large extent, free will.

Read More
1179 Words | 5 Pages

The word illicit sums up the confusion and weakness of the main character, Montag, a follower of the dystopian society, but introduced to a new way of thinking, but he is incapable of handling the contrast of reality and what life is really about. The oppression of dystopian society reveals when he is unsettled about his life due to several instances which make him begin to think beyond his ability and act irrationally rebelling to in an attempt to make changes in society. In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury illicits a rebellion through the characterization of Guy Montag as he questions the direction of society in order to suggest the audience does the same thing. Unsettled in his life, the protagonist, Guy Montag is forced to question the status quo of his 2025 society which make him begin to think beyond his ability and act irrationally rebelling to in an attempt to make changes.

Read More
734 Words | 3 Pages

In the novel Anthem the author, Ayn Rand discusses the ways Equality 7-2521’s world is a dystopia because independent thought, information and freedom are restricted, the natural world was banished and distressed, a concept is worshipped by the citizens and the society is an illusion of a perfect , utopian world. To begin with, Ayn Rand explains how the Equality 7-2521’s world is a dystopian society because the freedom of think and do anything for yourself is restricted. Equality states “It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see... It is as if we were speaking alone to no ears but our own.

Read More
948 Words | 4 Pages

Equality does this by when he first falls in love with Liberty, he is obsessed. However, when his invention is rejected by the council, he starts to realize he doesn’t need to be in a group and in result, starts to love Liberty less. When he understand individuality fully, he becomes very selfish and doesn’t care for Liberty at all and thinks of her as an object. Equality felt he needed to be with a group and with Liberty. Through his journey he discovered that he doesn’t need to be with a group and can be independent.

Read More
940 Words | 4 Pages

Inspired by this new knowledge, he acts courageously in an attempt to change his life and the lives of those around him. Montag must abandon all previous views and principles he had about society to enable a change. Through the character of Montag, Bradbury suggests that individuals are courageous when they sacrifice themselves for the improvement of society, even when there is a risk of achieving nothing. Initially, Montag seems as static and obedient as all the others in this totalitarian society; however, through talking with Clarisse, Montag’s views change, causing him to question the rules around him.

Read More
1189 Words | 5 Pages

Montag becomes a different person after finally wading into the river because it washes away his old life, letting him start a new one. Living without technology allows the men to think for themselves and set goals too. Granger states,“‘Every man must leave something behind when he dies’” (149). Though a simple statement, it causes Montag to regret the awful burnings and do something that he will be remembered for.

Read More
1219 Words | 5 Pages

However, since the council fails to recognize this idea, Equality has two options: either face imminent execution or flee. By choosing the latter and fleeing into the Uncharted Forest, Equality finally is, in a physical sense, free from the rule of collectivist society. Now he is alone in the forest, alone with his thoughts. He decides where he goes, when he sleeps, what he eats. However, he is still not fully

Read More
968 Words | 4 Pages

Fahrenheit 451, a book created by the mind of Ray Bradbury, was made to show the challenges of the Utopian lifestyle, but it is also a fantastic example of the Hero’s Journey. "We must all be alike. Not everyone born free and equal, as the Constitution says, but everyone made equal. Each man the image of every other; then all are happy, for there are no mountains to make them cower, to judge themselves against.” -Bradbury

Read More
743 Words | 3 Pages

Knowledge can be compared to a torch, or fire. Fire brings light and can help guide us through darkness. At the same time, fire, when not used wisely or contained, can lead to destruction. Similarly, the human species can use knowledge to further advance us, or we could let it tear us down. This is a common theme in the novels

Read More
679 Words | 3 Pages

This is the first time Montag takes action and contacts someone with the intent of bringing back ideas. Although they do not accomplish much in their first meeting, the event is still significant because it shows his future intentions and his changes. “We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy. Something’s missing.” (78) Montag is no longer a servant to the system, but one who defies it and wishes to release the truth despite the government’s intentions to silence

Read More
526 Words | 3 Pages

Ray Bradbury, the author of Fahrenheit 451, presents a society in which humans suffer from depression, fear, and loss of empathy which are the result of censorship of free thought and knowledge. Humans suffer from loss of empathy due to their lack of human interaction. People live in fear of the government as the dystopian society deprives the people of knowledge. Depression is evidenced by suicidal tendencies caused by hollow lives. Bradbury uses the loss of empathy in order to demonstrate the effects that censorship of free thought and knowledge have upon the individual and society.

Read More

More about Equality 7-2521 In Dystopian Literature

Related Topics

Open Document