'Objectivism In Ayn Rand's Anthem'

Ayn Rand, the self-proclaimed objectivist is a hypocrite. Rand’s philosophy is that every man has the right to free thought or else he is a slave…. but it seems that only applies as long as it is a man. Her idealistic views are demonstrated throughout Anthem, but fail to stay consistent as her heroin becomes a mindless puppet. Liberty, in Ayn Rand’s Anthem, starts the story as a strong, defiant, courageous woman, slowly devolves into compliant, stereotypical girl obsessed with jewels, scents and her looks, driven by emotion and obsession over Equality.
When she is first introduced, she is portrayed as women who has a backbone, not restrained by the shackles of the society. Demonstrated when Equality observed “Their eyes were dark and hard and glowing, with no fear in them, no kindness and no guilt... as if it defied men to restrain it.... the earth was as a beggar under their feet”(Rand 29). Part of the attraction Equality feel towards Liberty at first is because of her defiance. Something in her tells him she is not like the others. She is like him, she will be able to understand him. She will be a friend, an ally, she even goes as far as to tell him exactly what she thinks, “You are not one of our brother, Equality 7-2521, for we do not wish you to be” (Rand 43). She constantly breaks the rules to communicate with Equality.

Liberty is an inspirational character for every little girl. She maybe not be as intelligent as Equality but she still is her own person, who has the backbone to defy the manacles of her society. Why did Rand choose to change her characteristics drastically might never be known, but putting aside her changes, Liberty is still a brilliant character who is incredibly brave who manages to escape tyranny and remains to be influential throughout