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Use Of Light And Dark Imagery In Anthem By Ayn Rand

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In Ayn Rand’s anthem, Rand argues the use of light and dark imagery, work to emphasize her idea that individuality and its importance and how it has the potential to make some really big changes in the world. You can look at this quote for some supporting evidence, “It is dark in here. The flame of the candle stands still in the air. Nothing moves in this tunnel save our hand on the paper” (Rand, 1938, pg. 17).In this quote Ayn Rand implies how equality is the only one who thinks differently from the community he lives in. and suggests that the light is his individuality and the darkness is the sameness in society. Another piece of evidence to support this is, “We can give our brothers a new light, cleaner and brighter than any they have
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In Anthem by Ayn Rand International 4-8818 agrees to keep Equality 7-2521’s secret of the tunnel under the ground because much like Equality 7-2521, International 4-8818 is different than the rest of the people in the place they live in. This is because while Equality 7-2521 explains how he found the hole that led to the tunnel he talks about International 4-8818 and explains that, “they are a tall, strong youth and their eyes are like fireflies, for there is laughter in their eyes. We cannot look upon International 4-8818 and not smile in answer. For this they were not liked in the Home of the Students, as it is not proper to smile without reason. And also they were not liked because they took pieces of coal and they drew pictures upon the

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In the book Anthem, Ayn Rand uses diction, imagery, and syntax to create a confident tone in Equality 7-2521 to show how he is changing for the better. Equality learns that individuality is ok and states “ I am done with this creed of corruption,” to emphasize that he’s “done” with how the governing body brainwashed him and that he now has his own views on society (55). Equality thought all the things the governing body wanted him to think, but as he broke off he realized that none of it was true. He did not want to live by the standards of the governing body so he broke through the standards and started to individually listen to himself. Equality grew up with the impression of everyone should have the same thought but, the individuality

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351 Words | 2 Pages

Throughout Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem, numerous objects and occurrences symbolize much more than what they are presented as. Of the more obvious symbols, light has the largest impact on the course of the story. The most important instance of light centers around Equality 7-2521’s re-invention of the light bulb. Rand uses light to provide a religious, mythic feeling to the acts of Equality 7-2521 and how he symbolizes light himself. In a society where all men and women are one equal and single minded being; Equality 7-2521 becomes the lone source of individuality and a beacon of light to the people of this oppressed civilization.

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857 Words | 4 Pages

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.

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459 Words | 2 Pages

Equality’s individuality is the second step to rediscovering the lightbulb. He has his own individuality, and his individuality is what makes him

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825 Words | 4 Pages

This is also represented in Ayn Rand’s book with Equality 7-2521. Equality has the attribute of being born with a great wonder. This causes society to form an outcast of them and lead Equality to discover the substantial and significant power of light. The government is Anthem acts as a Beatty in the way that they try to convince Equality that the light is bad. For example on page 73, the Council of Scholars states “Should it be what they claim of it... by the whim of one."

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632 Words | 3 Pages

Why was this book controversial? Which themes or ideas were challenging to society? Controversial material in Anthem, by Ayn Rand, includes brief use of profanity, issues of morality, and exploitation of women. Also, controversy surrounding Ayn Rand’s work is the over-emphasizing of individualistic ideas she displays, as well as the adoration of egotism.

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1199 Words | 5 Pages

When joy can be reached by the unclean, wisdom can be controlled by fools, and the impotent can become masters, the talented and hardworking will have no reason to contribute, and thus begins the downfall of humanity. Both Ayn Rand’s and Equality’s views describe a different stage in this collapse of civilization. Both support the belief that individualism and differentiation, rather than grouping all humans together, are the path that will bring forth greatness for deserving

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669 Words | 3 Pages

“It is a sin to write this,” begins Anthem, and the digression of the society around him slowly falls. The argument asks if I reason about the Equality’s sins being evil or marvelous. The outtake of his decision decides his fate on the community around him, lifeless slaves being controlled by the government. So, I believe his sins are for the greater good. It shows that he is not a enslaved monkey in a science lab, but the arrogant monkey who refuses to do the tests.

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942 Words | 4 Pages

“The light came into the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it, but that no longer mattered because the light was now obliteration the darkness” - Ted Dekker. According to this quote, there is always going to be a battle between light and dark. One is always trying to overcome the other no matter how much strength it has. This quote goes hand and hand with Equality, who is the main character in the book Anthem by Ayn Rand. In this book, these people live in a terrible time of darkness, restriction and punishment.

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489 Words | 2 Pages

In Anthem by Ayn Rand, there are many uses of symbolism throughout the entire novel. Specifically, the quote (found on page 52) “The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but for those who will seek them.” is a great example of this. Equality 7-2521, a street curious street sweeper discovers a new way to create light and control electricity while working underground late at night. Equality then returns several times, experimenting and improving this newfound power.

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526 Words | 3 Pages

The final moments in the book show equality being selfish towards others. Using Anthem, Rand shows her beliefs about the group vs the individuals in the group. She provides us a reason to believe her claims through Equality managing to symbolize her points as the light bulb. Using his transition from being brainwashed by the government to becoming a full individual, after he runs away with his light, adds more of an impact to her beliefs towards selfishness. Anyone who reads a book by Rand should end up understanding the importance of the word

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594 Words | 3 Pages

There's so much emphasis on putting others before oneself that people often forget to look out for their own needs, as shown in this book. Ayn Rand successfully captures the negatives of an overrated ideology and presents an unorthodox perspective on the matter. In conclusion, Equality's true motives behind his work are much more selfish than they first appear to be. Equality strives to fulfil his own personal desire rather than contribute everything to society, and this isn't necessarily a negative thing.

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810 Words | 4 Pages

Experiencing society being completely obliterated and reborn is immensly traumatic, and Russian-born author Ayn Rand experienced this when her world turned upside down at the start of the Bolshevik Revolution. This Civil War killed as many as ten million people and Russia transitioned into a communist country. Her dystopian fiction novella Anthem portrays a future where communism never ceased and mankind was reborn into a collectivist society. The main character, Equality 7-2521, curiously questions his society and its structure and redefines it through invention and exploration. Although seemingly heroic, Equality 7-2521, in actuality, represents many flaws.

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1067 Words | 5 Pages

In the final chapters of the book, after Equality and The Golden One have discovered their new house and proposed to build a new life, they read books in its intact library and so discover the forbidden word, “I” (94). This discovery prompts Equality to radically overhaul his entire way of going through life, aligning it to Rand’s Objectivist philosophy. His focus on himself, illustrated through his obsession with the word I is show in the last two chapters of the book, where he latches on to the idea that devoting one’s life to only oneself is the only appropriate way to live life. Rand shows this with statements from Equality such as, “I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debts from them”(96). Equality is proclaiming that his life will be best lived in a purely selfish manner, where he will not take care of anyone else, but will not ask anyone to take care of him either.

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