The Use Of Figurative Language In Anthem, By Ayn Rand

1. Examine the author’s use of figurative language and other stylistic elements in this chapter. You should have at least 3 textual references as well as the explanation for how their use contributes to your understanding of the text.

In the story ANTHEM, Ayn Rand utilizes multiple points of figurative language and stylistic elements to contribute to the reader's understanding of the story. These points are foreshadowing, suspense, imagery, diction, and personification. In the opening of the story, Ayn Rand uses foreshadowing and suspense to add to the reader’s understanding of the story when she states, “We have broken the laws.” to add a sense of foreshadowing with the fact Equality 7-2521 may eventually be punished later in the story

First Ayn Rand uses diction and imagery to convey a sense of collectivism in the story where she describes that Equality 7-2521 “awoke in the night” and when this happened “there were no brothers around us, but only their shapes in the beds.” This description by Ayn Rand of Equality 7-2521 implements imagery as a tool, describing these bodies as just shapes that dehumanize them taking away their individualism and adding an aspect of collectivism instead. Ayn Rand also uses diction in this when she states that there were no brothers around Equality 7-2521, this also added into the sense that everyone was one, the group in this story was a collective whole. This contributed to the tone of the chapter by adding a sense of eerieness and unease in the reader. Where this collective whole and authoritarian-like aspect of this world adds suspense and makes an uneasy setting. With these points, Ayn Rand also creates a fearful and suspenseful atmosphere and tone by pointing out the law breaking of Euqality 7-2521 and their possible punishments. In this Ayn Rand states that Equality 7-2521 has “broken the laws” and that the “Council of Vocations” did not beg them to write, alongside this Equality 7-2521 also asks “may we be forgiven.” With these points, Ayn Rand conveys a sense of fear, where Equality 7-2521 has broken the laws of the council of vocations and this adds a sense of fear and suspense of what may happen to Equality 7-2521 into the overall tone of the chapter. This sense of fear and suspense continues to build into the tone from Equality 7-2521 also asking for forgiveness from the council, this proves Equality 7-2521 knows what they’re doing is wrong in their society and they may be punished for it adding onto the suspense of this chapter. Overall Ayn Rand’s elements contribute to building suspense and unease in the tone