Examples Of Egoism In Anthem

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Ego. Egoist. Egoism. We hear these words, but do we really know what they mean? Are they good or bad? In Anthem by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521, also known as Prometheus, says that the word ego is a very holy word. Today it is seen as a negative thing to be called an egoist, but Prometheus and Howard Roark in The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand see it differently. Both characters in the novels discover something they would like to share, but their creators do no like that they are having their own ideas and think their ego is too high. In Anthem, Equality 7-2521 has a sincere desire to learn more about science, but this is seen as a sin for they are not to know anymore than their fellow brethren. Although they have this rule, Equality 7-2521 still …show more content…

His accomplishments give him a sense of more self worth for he knows that he has done something so important and out of their world. He starts to appreciate himself much more and this is when his ego first starts to grow. Just when everything is going just right for Equality, he gets caught. He gets sent to the Palace of Corrective Detention when he is supposed to stay, but he breaks out. At this point, his ego grows even more because he feels unstoppable and much better than the scholars since they did not catch him. He now begins to work on his creation more. When Equality 7-2521 is finally confident with his creation, he decides to bring it to the scholars to show them what he has done. At this point he gets in much more trouble and they immediately shut down his idea. He decides to run away to the Uncharted Forest where he finds his own happiness with his loved one, the Golden One. Equality 7-2521 is seen as an egoist in the story because his only goal is to pursue his own happiness, and not to serve others and make them happy as well. He sees himself as a very great person, and this can often lead to being seen as an egoist. Although this may be the case, in the end of the book he says that he wants to go back and get his friends so they can enjoy life with him and the Golden One, and this is a very selfless action, but he does it to make himself happy,