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An essay on the differences between individualism and collectivism
Anthem by ayn rand essay analysis outline
Individualism vs collectivism culture
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Throughout Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem, character developments play a crucial role in establishing the overall concepts present in the novella. One of the most significant developments present takes part in the life of Liberty 5-3000, the Golden One, or Gaea, depending on what stage of life is presented. The development of this character contributes to the idea of individualism, which establishes a base for the most copious theme destruction of a collective society.
Unlike during the Unmentionable Times, when men created “towers [that] rose to the sky,” it is an affliction to be born with powerful intellectual capacity and ambition in Ayn Rand’s apocalyptic, nameless society in Anthem. Collectivism is ostensibly the moral guidepost for humanity, and any perceived threat to the inflexible, authoritarian regime is met with severe punishment. The attack on mankind’s free will and reason is most evident in the cold marble engraving in the Palace of the World Council: “We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, One, indivisible and forever” (6). Societal norms force homogeneity and sacrifice among all people.
This made Equality find out who he is and gave him the chance to be an individual. Equality’s views and mindset changes through out the book. He was born in a society where people are named by numbers. A world where people are used as machines. In this world the word “I” is out of existence.
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.
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.
Equality lives in a collectivist society, which is a society that believes, “that man must be chained to collective action and collective thought for the sake of what is called “the common good.” Therefore, Equality being the person he is, struggles with being an individual. He knows it is against the law but he enjoys knowledge so much, it confuses him. He states, “And in our heart-strange are the ways of evil! - and in our heart there is the first peace we have known in 20 years.”
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.
Anthem is a story written by Ayn Rand as a propaganda piece portraying the evils of communism. The book takes place in the future in a undisclosed city surrounded by forest. In this city a collectivist society dwells. The conflict of Anthem is character vs. society where one man by the name of Equality decides to go against his broken government. Equality took a stand against his broken society, he has defied the council of scholars and his government, had a relation with a women, and escaped the city to The Uncharted Forest.
Why do you think you're unique? Is it your personality, your looks, or your race? Whatever the case may be, each person has a certain quality that makes them stand out in society. The novel "Anthem" by Russian-American author Ayn Rand was originally published in 1938. An inventive young guy in Anthem discovers his potential and comes to completely embrace his uniqueness.
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.
A city based on stifling collectivism that is challenged by one young man who discovers freedom through individuality perfectly describes Ayn Rand’s book Anthem. Anthem depicts a society oppressed by stripping each member from any ounce of individuality. Ayn Rand is commonly known for her view points on collectivist and centralized political standpoints as her philosophies are the structure of many pieces of her writing. Her writings are a publicized way of creating controversy with her opinions. Rand’s philosophy goes entirely against the belief that the individual should be subjugated to the group and sacrificed for the common good which in turn is the main focus of Anthem.
As humans, we are all struggling to be happy. Often one is too confined within the walls of society, trapped by what the world tells one to do, to chase what makes one happy. Pursuing happiness can often be unconventional in the eyes of society and that it is also important to break away and be different. The novel Anthem by Ayn Rand demonstrates society
In the novella Anthem, individual rights and freedom do not exist. The word “I” is prohibited to be spoken by men. Equality 7-2521 is a street sweeper of the city and he is different from the others in the society. Equality is more intelligent, taller, learns quicker, and he enjoys learning about science; especially how things move and work. Since the word “I” is the unspeakable word, Equality uses the word “We” to resemble that he is doing these actions .
The opposite of objectivism is collectivism, where individuality does not exist in the society whatsoever. With Rand’s creativeness, she created a collectivist society where life became a job, working for others, instead of a blessing. Throughout the novella, Anthem, Equality 7-2125 escapes this prison-like society and finds something rare; individual thoughts about himself, his own needs, and his own good. It is a fact Equality is smarter than the rest of his brothers, but the curiosity grew ahold of him and he urged to find truth rather than ignoring it like the rest of the society. Equality wonders to himself how those of his society can just be controlled by their government and watch everything unfold.
In both modern society and the world set forth in the beginning Ayn Rand 's The Fountainhead, altruism and selflessness are praised as accepted ideals while independence and selfishness are abhorred. This twisted idea of morality is challenged by the protagonist of The Fountainhead, Howard Roark. Though selfishness can be broadly defined and can be harmful at times, Howard Roark exhibits a specific type of selfishness that does not seek to harm others, but to simply preserve the person 's ego and personal pursuit of success. The best way to define the nature and effectiveness of Howard Roark 's selfishness is through examining his interactions with other major characters and comparing their egos, integrity, and approaches to achievement. Peter Keating is an interesting character in that he tries to be selfish, but he has no actual sense of self.
