Equality 7-2521 In Dystopian Literature

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

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