Anthem

What would it be like to live in a world where the individual did not exist and humanity survived as one, a mass of people serving each other? Ayn Rand illustrates this life style in her novel Anthem; that type of life would be utter hell. The story is told by a man originally named Equality 7-2521 who never fully fit in. He was taller, stronger, and brighter then many of the other men in the city he lived, and the people in power regarded him with frowns and dislike. His personality was also something to be fretted over. He was curious, he preferred some people over others, and he had dreams and wishes. The poor man thought that he was cursed for having natural feelings, but the world he lived in told him that everyone had to be equal and men lived only to serve other men. Life was a monotonous routine that had to be followed under the consequence of punishment; no one had a choice, they did as the government told them too. But Equality 7-2521 fell out of this pattern. He found a tunnel that had been leftover from the “unmentionable times” and continued to learn; he dissected animals, rediscovered electricity, mixed acids, and read manuscripts. He broke many laws and even fell in love. In the end he is forced to run away from his home with his love, Liberty 5-3000, in pursuit. Together, the two create a new life in the Uncharted Forest. They find an ancient house with mirrors, clothes, lights, and books. But most importantly they discover the word “I” and understand its meaning. No longer does “We” control them; for they are now separate beings who can follow their own emotions and thoughts.

The novel was set in the future, after civilization as we know it died out and was replaced once again by medieval technology, thoughts, practices, and medicine. But the twist of the novel was that Communism and Socialism had taken over like a plague and had a firm grasp on everyone. There was no such thing as “I” there was only “we” in the dark, controlled world. At first I was not a fan of the novel because of the strict control that the people lived in, but once Liberty 5-300 appeared my interest had been caught. Overall, I did enjoy the book. It brought up the topic of extreme ways of society, such as communism and socialism, and tried to prove a point in a creative way. I also liked that it ended with the main characters falling in love and finding a new place in the world. It was a happy ending; in dystopia novels very few, it seems, have lighter, happier endings.

My favorite quote in this novel is rather long, but I love it in its entirety.
“‘We have followed you,’ they said, ‘and we shall follow you wherever you go. If danger threatens you, we shall face it also. If it be death, we shall die with you. You are damned,and we wish to share your damnation…Your eyes are as a flame, but our brothers have neither hope nor fire. Your mouth is cut of granite, but our brothers are soft and humble. Your head is high, but our brothers cringe. You walk, but our brothers crawl. We wish to be damned with you,rather than blessed with all our brothers. Do as you please with us, but do not send us away from you’" (p 105). This was said by Liberty 5-300, now known as the Golden One. She said it to Equality 7-2521 after she had followed him in the forest. Previously, he had presented the light bulb and its gifts to the House of Scholars. But they became upset with him and said he had gone against their society. In anger and fear he ran to the Uncharted Forest, leaving behind the fate of death that would have befell him had he stayed. When the Golden One heard the news of him running away, she followed him into the forest. The two had not really been allowed to talk or be together, for it showed preference and in the city that they lived everyone must be entirely equal and one could not like another anymore then the next person. But the Golden One and Equality had feelings for each other. Out of this budding love she followed.

This quote has quite a bit of significance. First, it shows that the Golden One truly cares for and loves Equality. Though she may not be able to say it bluntly because the word “I” is not yet discovered, she described it to him the best she could. She wants to be with him. She has given up the meager society and comfort of what she already knows, and drifted into the unknown forest with him. Though these surroundings may be no more dangerous from whence she came and the threat of death just as present, she is willing to risk this new surrounding to be with Equality. Also, this quote shows that even thought this society tried to cover it up, people are different and human emotions can not be so easily suppressed. Equality contrasts very differently from his fellow brothers, especially in the eyes of the Golden One. He has a curiosity and hope, and also the strength to fight for what he believes in, as this quote suggests. He also has pride and the intelligence to hold his head high and walk when others fear to. Equal rights are important, but everyone cannot be forced to be equal in ways such as human strength and intelligence. Emotions had been suppressed in this society, but it was obviously still present. The Golden One admired Equality and loved him more then anyone else. Humans cannot be forced to have no emotion or be equal.

Though there were multiple symbols sprinkled throughout the book, one interesting one is the name that Equality took on after he and the Golden One started their new life in the Uncharted Forest. The choosing of new names shows that Equality and the golden one are no longer apart of the Communist Society; they recognize themselves as individuals. This in itself is symbolic. But even more so is the name that Equality picks, Prometheus. In the Greek legend, Prometheus was a man who stole fire from the gods on Olympus and gave the fire to the humans, giving them light. Equality chooses this name because he too gave light to the world. He had brought something to the world that would be helpful, but same as Prometheus, he was punished. Prometheus was tortured everyday and the gods were displeased with him. Equality was also expelled from society, but he felt relieved and free rather then unhappy. This name is symbolic of what Equality has done, he has brought something new and helpful to the world. This is the light and also this new way of being. He is an individual.