There is something deep within every individual that is of great value, but for many, it has gone to waste. This thing which is deep within an individual is a force, a force with the capability of changing anything and everything for the good. Those who never find it perhaps experience the greatest loss to mankind. This force is called self-determination. In the novella Anthem, Ayn Rand is able to depict a completely collectivist society which struggles to make any progressions through the eyes of one individual, Equality 7-2521. Equality 7-2521 stands out from the entire society because he is able to find deep within himself that force which is called self-determination, even though such actions are prohibited within this collectivist society.
…show more content…
However, Equality 7-2521 is able to defy these beliefs. One day while working as a Street Sweeper, the job assigned to him by the Council of Vocations, Equality 7-2521 and his friend stumble upon a hole which leads to an underground tunnel from the Unmentionable Times. Shortly after the finding, International 4-8818 says to Equality 7-2521, “We shall report our find to the City Council and both of us will be rewarded”(Rand 33) and Equality 7-2521 responds with “We shall not report our find to the City Council. We shall not report it to any men”(33). Equality 7-2521 does not care about any award that could come with this discovery, instead, he is determined to use it himself for learning. Instead of following the rules set forth by this collectivist society Equality 7-2521 chooses to pursue his self-determination. In this tunnel, which Equality 7-2521 flees to every night, happens the discovery of electricity. “No single one can possess greater wisdom than the many Scholars who are elected by all men for their wisdom. Yet we can”(54). After Equality’s discovery of electricity, he comes to the realization that working in a collective group is not the only way to create progression, and has now defied the beliefs this society so much values. Equality 7-2521, all by himself has discovered a force that can revolutionize the society he …show more content…
I cannot walk upon your legs, or you upon mine.” This quote so clearly depicts why what Equality 7-2521 is doing is right. No person is created metaphysically bound to another person, so why should a person’s life be dependent on another’s. A person should be able to express his individuality and think for himself. A society where everyone must act and think the same is a society with little to no progression because if everyone must think the same the infinite number of other possible thoughts and ideas are being neglected. That is why individuality and one’s self-determination is the driving force for progression. We have seen it many times in our history. For instance, back in the 1600s, a man named Galileo Galilei challenged the Catholic Church’s long-held view that the earth was the center of our universe. It was one man against an entire collectivist group, and that one man was correct. That one man created progression not only for himself, but the entire world. This discovery led to the creation of various things that benefitted mankind, and even more discoveries. Equality 7-2521 is right to be motivated this way because he is doing exactly what many of the known figures in our history have done, created progression. When looking at all the revolutionizing creations you notice a common trend, they were all developed by one individual. The collectivist
However, Equality 7-2521 is able to defy these beliefs. One day while working as a Street Sweeper, the job assigned to him by the Council of Vocations, Equality 7-2521 and his friend stumble upon a hole which leads to an underground tunnel from the Unmentionable Times. Shortly after the finding, International 4-8818 says to Equality 7-2521, “We shall report our find to the City Council and both of us will be rewarded”(Rand 33) and Equality 7-2521 responds with “We shall not report our find to the City Council. We shall not report it to any men”(33). Equality 7-2521 does not care about any award that could come with this discovery, instead, he is determined to use it himself for learning. Instead of following the rules set forth by this collectivist society Equality 7-2521 chooses to pursue his self-determination. In this tunnel, which Equality 7-2521 flees to every night, happens the discovery of electricity. “No single one can possess greater wisdom than the many Scholars who are elected by all men for their wisdom. Yet we can”(54). After Equality’s discovery of electricity, he comes to the realization that working in a collective group is not the only way to create progression, and has now defied the beliefs this society so much values. Equality 7-2521, all by himself has discovered a force that can revolutionize the society he …show more content…
I cannot walk upon your legs, or you upon mine.” This quote so clearly depicts why what Equality 7-2521 is doing is right. No person is created metaphysically bound to another person, so why should a person’s life be dependent on another’s. A person should be able to express his individuality and think for himself. A society where everyone must act and think the same is a society with little to no progression because if everyone must think the same the infinite number of other possible thoughts and ideas are being neglected. That is why individuality and one’s self-determination is the driving force for progression. We have seen it many times in our history. For instance, back in the 1600s, a man named Galileo Galilei challenged the Catholic Church’s long-held view that the earth was the center of our universe. It was one man against an entire collectivist group, and that one man was correct. That one man created progression not only for himself, but the entire world. This discovery led to the creation of various things that benefitted mankind, and even more discoveries. Equality 7-2521 is right to be motivated this way because he is doing exactly what many of the known figures in our history have done, created progression. When looking at all the revolutionizing creations you notice a common trend, they were all developed by one individual. The collectivist