Comparing Society In Divergent And Ayn Rand's Anthem

The society in Divergent and Anthem both attempt to start society over, though using different strategies. Both societies attempt to control the thoughts of their citizens by brainwashing them to believe a certain way. In Anthem society, the citizens are assigned a job and quickly learn the expectations of their occupation without a fuss, since individuality is seen as a sin. While in the Divergent society, the citizens are given the illusion of choice because they are allowed to “choose” one of five factions to join, however once they choose a faction they must stay and become accustomed to their new environment or face becoming factionless, a form of being kicked out of society. In both these books, this day is seen as “choosing day” that determines the fate or future of everyone, including the main characters. The focus of everyone being equal in Anthem appears in the Abnegation Faction in Divergent. The citizens in Anthem are taught to live “for their brothers” and to devote their work to the good of the whole, just like how Abnegation citizens are taught the same, though …show more content…
Although Anthem’s “selfless” society was ultimately a brainwashed community, Abnegation was slightly more successful using the same concepts of equality and selflessness to create a peaceful government Faction. The citizens of Abnegation are always expected to think of others before themselves, and as a result, the concept of “self” is somewhat lost. While in Anthem, the concept of “self” is even more lost as they get rid of the words “I”, “Me”, and “Myself” for “We” “Them” “All”. Both societies discourage individuality by not allowing curiosity, eliminating mirrors, and dressing and eating plainly. By not being an individual for so long most of everyone in both societies don’t question what they could be doing differently, better, and those who do aren’t heard or seen from