ipl-logo

Example Of Individualism In Anthem

699 Words3 Pages

The theologian Paul Tillich once declared, “Individualism is the self-affirmation of the individual self as individual self without regard to its participation in its world.” In Anthem, a fictional novella by Ayn Rand, we see the theme of individualism play out, and it gradually becomes an anthem for the story’s hero. The protagonist, Equality 7-2521, lives in a society that teaches citizens that collectivism is the only option for humanity to thrive. Equality quickly learns this way of life is not ideal and coins his anthem: “I shall live my own truth,” (Rand 48). By wishing to live out his own truth, Equality realizes the significance of individualism and the change it can bring. As a result of this realization, Equality starts to live a …show more content…

“It is not good to be different from our brothers, but it is evil to be superior to them,” (Rand 8). In Equality’s society, it is a crime to be different from others. By doing this, the government ensures that no rebellion occurs, as it is instilled from a young age that having thoughts others disagree with is a crime. The totalitarian government preaches that no individual should focus on their happiness but instead on the happiness of their brothers. “‘Indeed you are happy,’ they answered. ‘How else can men be when they live for their brothers?’” (Rand 19). In this dystopia, people are required to always put the happiness of others before themselves. However, it becomes increasingly more evident throughout Anthem that only a select few people in the story are content. Eventually, Equality realizes that the collectivist lifestyle is not as miraculous as the government …show more content…

An anthem is a rousing song that embodies a specific movement (Merriam-Webster Dictionary), such as Equality’s movement toward a future where individualism is valued. Ayn Rand chose Anthem as the title for her book to hint that Equality not only discovers himself in the novel but pushes others to discover themselves as individuals and not as a society. In doing so, Rand teaches that being independent of others and the ability to have one’s thoughts is crucial. The anthem in the book is about the overriding theme:

Show More
Related
702 Words | 3 Pages

Equality 7-2521’s perspective on society shifts due to his realizations. In the novel “Anthem,” all of the members of a collective society conform to a set of regulations where everyone is equal and together at all times. However, Equality 7-2521 decides to commit the most significant sin by working alone and having his own thoughts, which he never regrets. Equality 7-2521’s eventual assessment of his sin is correct because he often feels safer on his own, and isolation causes him to make incredible discoveries. While working and thriving by himself, Equality 7-2521 feels the most content compared to being surrounded by his brother men.

Read More
705 Words | 3 Pages

Individuality allows every person to be themselves and be different from each other. However, In Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem, Rand describes a society where the people were not allowed to openly be themselves, or else they would be punished for being different. The main character, Equality, notices he is different slowly throughout the novella, but kept continuing to be like everyone else for awhile. These rules exist in this society to strip human individuality in order to achieve total equality.

Read More
1128 Words | 5 Pages

In Ayn Rand’s novella, Anthem, mankind is a philanthropic machine. The brotherhood nobly works together to achieve a common goal. In doing so, each man is asked to disregard his own personal means and goals. For every decision must be a collective thought and every advancement, a joint action. However, one man in this machine malfunctions.

Read More
959 Words | 4 Pages

In our society, people are motivated in lots of different ways. This can create both positives, such as putting a man on the moon, and negatives, such as war and starving people. Anthem is a story about a man who is going against his collectivist society in his search for individuality. Equality’s main motivation is to discover new things and new ideas in the world around him, as well as to try to figure out who he is as an individual. His motivation is correct because he enables the thought of free will, and the world could become a better place if everyone was motivated like Equality.

Read More
539 Words | 3 Pages

There are no men but only the great WE, one, indivisible and forever” (Rand, 19). This illustrates that in Anthem’s society collectivism is enforced. With no individualism means no I, no ego, no opinions which allows the dystopian society to flourish. Finally, it is time to wrap this essay

Read More
530 Words | 3 Pages

How could losing individuality affect a society? The novel Anthem by Ayn Rand is about a guy named Equality 7-2521 who is trying to find himself in a society where everything is controlled and different. Later, he finds himself even though he will have to go through many obstacles to get there. The process behind losing individuality in an Anthem’s society are in forcing strict laws, brain washing of their citizens, and removing of family. The Anthem society in forcing of strict laws made it easy for everyone to lose their individuality.

Read More
1027 Words | 5 Pages

The suppression of individuality in the society of Anthem is a cautionary tale that illustrates the importance of personal freedom in finding genuine happiness. By prioritizing the needs of society over the individual, the inhabitants of Anthem's society have created a society where people cannot pursue their desires or find fulfillment in their lives. The theme of individualism versus collectivism is a theme that resonates with many people today. In today's society, there is a constant pressure to conform to societal norms and expectations. This pressure often leads people to sacrifice their individuality, just like the inhabitants of Anthem's society.

Read More
594 Words | 3 Pages

Collectivism and Selfishness in Anthem Imagine living in a world where everybody's lives are completely mapped out by the government. Where every decision is made without the input of the citizens it affects. In the novella Anthem, Ayn Rand depicts a completely collectivist society, where every idea, action, and invention is purely for the benefit of society as a whole. Everything is done with the entire population in mind, and individuality is extremely frowned upon.

Read More
802 Words | 4 Pages

“Rules are made to be broken”, is an influential quote, well known in our society. It symbolizes rebellion and breaking free from authority. Ayn Rand’s dystopian novel, Anthem, is an anthem for that phrase. Anthem explores the dangers of conformity and subjectivism, and urges readers to follow the beat of their own drum, to be their own leader. She uses Equality 7-2521 to showcase the idea of the natural human tendency that people have to be selfish.

Read More
1223 Words | 5 Pages

“Individualism is the idea that the fundamental unit of the human species that thinks, lives, and acts toward goals is the individual. This means that the adult individual can form his own independent judgments, act on his own thoughts, and disagree with others” (Y). In this abstraction design, Rand has become a true creator. Throughout her life Rand has seen communism destroy her family’s life. It only made sense for her to create her own fabrication based on trauma (X).

Read More
981 Words | 4 Pages

In summary, our society, through standards like social media and groupthink, causes us to try to be like others, fit in with the whole, and give up different ideas just as in the collective society in the book Anthem. In conclusion, in Anthem by Ayn Rand, the word “we” served as a symbol of putting our needs behind others and serving the whole. This worship of the word “we” led to the destruction of modern society and the death of self-identity. The worship of the sense of collectivism caused an oppressive society that extinguished personal ambition, creativity, and progress, which led to stagnation and a halting of

Read More
753 Words | 4 Pages

"If the egotist is weak, his egotism is worthless. If the egotist is strong, acute, full of distinctive character, his egotism is precious, and remains a possession of the race," Alexander Smith. Anthem is a novella by author Ayn Rand. Rand tells the story of a young twenty-one-year-old man, Equality 7-2521, who lives in a dystopian society in an unspecified future. Individualism is not allowed anymore and the society is ruled by the Council.

Read More
1094 Words | 5 Pages

In the novella, Anthem written by Ayn Rand, the protagonist Equality 7-2521 emphasizes the importance of the many dystopian themes within the story. After the destruction of the Unmentionable Time, all knowledge was lost and a new society has sprung where individualism is banned. In their society, the government is in control of the population and people are conformed to uniform expectation. Since many of characteristics of individualism was stripped away from people, it is described that they live in a dehumanized state, where names are unspecified and decisions are made by the councils. In doing so, many of what was lost remained in the Uncharted Forest where all of mankind dare not to talk about it since they developed a fear the outside world.

Read More
1219 Words | 5 Pages

Victory Over Collectivism “I”, one of the only one-letter words in the English language. Yet its power and meaning do not match its quantitative value. In the collectivist dictatorship found the in the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand, this word has disappeared and consequently, society has fallen into a dark age, all because of the loss of a single-lettered word. However, the hero of this time, Equality 7-2521, breaks down the barrier of the collectivist society and allows him to make advances that show him the power of the word “I” and the idea of individualism in government and in society. Although the word “I” has vanished from society, Equality is able to free himself from the collectivist government through the use of science and free thought,

Read More
658 Words | 3 Pages

A dystopian society is degrading to the human population. One figurehead is in control and persuades the citizens to follow their beliefs. As stated in Ayn Rand’s 1930s novella, “ We all are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE. One individual, and forever.”

Read More

More about Example Of Individualism In Anthem

Open Document