Theme Of Egoism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

Ego is a weed we cultivate for it to ultimately be destroyed. It is said to be the root of our sins, but is really the cause of individuality in this world. Egoists tend to separate themselves from others; we made egos to experience ourselves as different, rather than the ordinary being. Egos are depicted to reflect a bad connotation. In the novella Anthem by Ayn Rand, the protagonist, Equality 7-2521, is an egoist, but not in the way expected. Along with him being an egoist, comes an expected bad connotation, but he does in fact break away from the chains his collectivist society puts on him and Equality- later known as Prometheus- finds himself and his individuality. Equality 7-2521 is in fact an egoist, but rather in a good way, he uses his egoism to set him apart from his fellow brothers, which ultimately leads him to better himself and find the sweet freedom he’s been missing out on.

An egoist isn’t just one who is motivated by self-interest, but one who has the superior mind, one who can break free from the chains that their society cruel fully locks them in on. Prometheus is locked in this headspace, thinking that “[He is] nothing. Mankind is all. [He] exists through, by and for [his] brothers who are the state” (Rand Anthem 21). He believes that everyone in his society is on an equal playing ground, not one person is inferior or superior. These people Prometheus is surrounded by are far from egoists, they believe fitting in with the norm and using the word “we” makes them their own individual. However, Prometheus soon comes to the realization that he “owes nothing to his brothers. [He] asks none to live for [him], nor does [he] live for any