Liberty Two Nicknames

When someone is on a first date they often ask people “What is your favorite color, movie or TV show?” These questions are about preference. Preferences give each individual an identity and makes them more interesting. The world today revolves around what people prefer. Most people do not realize how much freedom of preference they have. For example, in grocery stores people have over 100 cereal options; people have thousands of options for schools. Individuals can also choose what color they want their room or home to be. In the book Anthem, no citizen in the society can make a personal decision. Citizens must love everyone equally and follow the rules of the Council. People are all the same robotic men and women, nothing makes them standout

Liberty 5-3000 is a girl that Equality meets while street sweeping. They make eye contact and both are attracted by the rebellious spirit in the other. Often when one person likes another person they will give them an affectionate nickname. Equality gives Liberty two nicknames; The Golden One and Our Dearest One. These nicknames show that Equality prefers Liberty more than the other women because the names are affectionate and he creates them just for Liberty. The first time that Equality calls Liberty by a nickname is in a conversation where Liberty asked “What is our [my] name?” and Equality responded, “The Golden One” (55). Obviously, since Equality is calling Liberty the Golden One, Equality believes that Liberty brings light to his life and makes him happy. Since Liberty has that ability Equality prefers her over other women and men. Equality, later on, gives The Golden One a different nickname. He calls Liberty “our dearest one” (56). Creating another nickname for her, demonstrates that he adores her more than anyone else. Another person that Equality enjoys time with more than others is International 4-8818. International is Equality’s only friend. International is someone to share secrets with and who to

The tunnel and the Home of the Scholars demonstrates Equality’s preference of places. In the beginning of the story, the only alone time that Equality has is in the tunnel. Equality discovers it with his friend International 4-8818. It is inferred that the tunnel is an underground subway system from the Unmentionable Times. Equality prefers the tunnel over other places, such as the Home of the Street Sweepers, because in the tunnel it is the “first peace we [Equality] have known in twenty years” (37). Since this is a safe place, Equality feels peaceful in the tunnel. There are no intrusions and forced thoughts there. Because of this, Equality prefers the tunnel compared to the Home of the Street Sweepers. Equality wishes he was a scholar and to live in the Home of the Scholars more than any other dream. He prefers to have the job of being a Scholar over a Street Sweeper, but in their society it is the Council who determines what jobs. Sadly, the Council deems it appropriate to put Equality in a less preferred house, the Home of Street Sweepers. Obviously, Equality prefers the life of a scholar more than the life of a sweet