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Fear Of Moral Judgment In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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“An irrational society is a society of moral cowards—of men paralyzed by the loss of moral standards, principles, and goals. But since men have to act, so long as they live, such as a society is read to be taken over by anyone willing to set its direction. The initiative can come from only two types of men: either from the man who is willing to assume the responsibility of asserting rational values--- or from the thug who is not troubled by questions of responsibility.” Ayn Rand explains that in order to survive in an irrational society, you have to overcome the fear of moral judgement, and let that be your responsibility. In “Anthem”, Equality 7-2521 understand the evils of an irrational society—which is fear of moral judgement. He realizes his brothers and leaders are spread by evil because of their fear of moral judgement, which is why I believe Equality 7-2521 would agree with her. …show more content…

There were characteristics like his appearance, intelligence, and thoughts. He considered it a curse that he was different from others, because it was against the law to think individual thoughts, or be superior to others (Anthem, pg.1). Though he could tell he was a lot different from others, because they tend not to take risks, or fear discoveries of the world. For example, when Equality 7-2521 and International 4-8818 discovers the tunnel, International says “The will of the Council is above all things, for it is the will of our brothers, which is holy. But if you wish it so, we shall obey you. Rather shall we be evil with you than good with all our brothers. May the Council have mercy upon both of our hearts” (Anthem, pg.10). This explains International 4-8818 fear of moral judgement and not wanting to take responsibility for his actions, which explains his failure of pronouncing judgement, according to Rand’s

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Anthem by Ayn Rand is about a young boy named Equality 7-2521, age 21. Who had recreated electricity, and wanted to show the council to get himself into the home of the scholars. He terrified them all and ran off into the uncharted forest. Where he sees a house full of books. It all finally leads him to believe that you are not free, if you’re not free of your brothers.

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Through the novel Anthem, Ayn Rand portrays a dystopian world similar to that of George Orwell’s 1984 or Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. There is an aspect that is prevalent in each of the books and it is the brainwashing of the general population and a government’s absolute power. Each realm uses its own unique way of controlling their citizens, and all of the people either live in fear or ignorance and apathy of the government’s unbridled control. The society in Anthem show no opposition to their captors because of the laws set by the leaders and the dreaded consequences followed by those who stand against it. To start off, the chapter begins with Equality 7-2521 writing and knowing that “It is a sin to think words no others think” (17).

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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,

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Judging the morals in life regarding different societies expectations quickly became the focus of Equality’s thoughts, exactly as Ayn Rand had made it the importance of her own efforts. Objectivism is different from what many people live by, but it worked for Equality by the end of Anthem. It is important to realize everybody needs different things, which leads to thinking diversely. Some need self-respect to be able to give respect, and others live their life following instead of leading. It is impossible however, to say objectivism needs to vanish when it never has before, more so, the world would be unbalanced with only equal thoughts from all; there would be no innovation if all thoughts were for the same narrow concept.

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There are many examples of irony in Anthem that the author uses to carry the plot and deepen the story and an example of irony that some people don't get until later in the book is the idea of "we". Therefore it is ironic that a person wouldn't know the word for one's self. The definition of irony is "the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. " The use of we is to really push the idea that Equality 7-2521 only thinks as a group. This example is dramatic irony because the readers of Anthem know that Equality 7-2521 is an individual yet still calls himself "we".

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