Anthem is a work of collectivism in a totalitarian society written by the Russian novelist Ayn Rand. In this novel, Rand wrote of a future dystopian society that is “so saturated in collectivism that the word “I” has disappeared from the language” (Aynrand.org). The beginning of the book starts out with Equality 7-2521 saying, “It is a sin to write this.” Equality grows up living in a society not knowing that independence even exists and fights the urge to be different. After a series of discoveries, Equality realizes that he was living wrong and makes a change that is considered a sin, however, is morally correct as everyone deserves to be their own person.
At the beginning of the novel, Equality is a responsible citizen who tries to avoid …show more content…
After feeling “torn” (Rand 87) not finding the right word he was trying to say, Equality uncovered the long lost word “I” which is the main symbol of individualism. To Rand, individualism is the, “moral ideal not to sacrifice for others, but to live for oneself and to view the pursuit of one’s own happiness as one’s highest moral purpose” (Aynrand.org). This helps show that even though his actions may have been considered sins, they are morally correct and proper. Equality also realizes that it is not natural for men not have their own name. He said, “There was a time when each man had a name of his own to distinguish himself from other men,” (Rand 98). Equality gave himself the new name Prometheus. This is another example of his different moral assessment because he would never have even known about real names before this.
At the end of the book, Equality has a completely different moral assessment than the way he started out. At the beginning, Equality was a respectable citizen who was dedicated to completing his life mandate and obeying all the rules. Then at the end of the novel, he decided to leave the communistic society to pursue a life of independence. Living as an individual allowed Equality to fully speak his mind and write without believing that it is a sin. This is morally correct because everyone deserves to live their life as their
At the beginning of the novel, Equality is a responsible citizen who tries to avoid …show more content…
After feeling “torn” (Rand 87) not finding the right word he was trying to say, Equality uncovered the long lost word “I” which is the main symbol of individualism. To Rand, individualism is the, “moral ideal not to sacrifice for others, but to live for oneself and to view the pursuit of one’s own happiness as one’s highest moral purpose” (Aynrand.org). This helps show that even though his actions may have been considered sins, they are morally correct and proper. Equality also realizes that it is not natural for men not have their own name. He said, “There was a time when each man had a name of his own to distinguish himself from other men,” (Rand 98). Equality gave himself the new name Prometheus. This is another example of his different moral assessment because he would never have even known about real names before this.
At the end of the book, Equality has a completely different moral assessment than the way he started out. At the beginning, Equality was a respectable citizen who was dedicated to completing his life mandate and obeying all the rules. Then at the end of the novel, he decided to leave the communistic society to pursue a life of independence. Living as an individual allowed Equality to fully speak his mind and write without believing that it is a sin. This is morally correct because everyone deserves to live their life as their