Ayn Rand uses the symbol of the light bulb to portray the significance of individuality in a conformed society with the conflict between the two opposing societies. Equality 7-2521 has his own ideas and endeavors that …show more content…
Equality 7-2521 goes through the course of the novella living in a social order in which he does not fit in with. As a result, Equality 7-2521 tries numerous ways to find his true self. It is at the end of the story in which he discovers the word “I.” The discovery of the word “I” is a breakthrough in the story because it shows how Equality 7-2521 has broken away from the conflicting conformed society. Equality 7-2521 begins to start his new life when the Golden One says, “He took the light of the gods and he brought it to men. And he taught men to be gods. And he suffered for his deed as all bearers of light must suffer. His name was Prometheus” (Rand 99). This describes his journey thus far. He has finally found out who he is. He can finally live life as an individual person and not have to worry about fitting into a civilization based on conformity. Ultimately, through the use of Equality 7-2521’s new name, Ayn Rand is able to show that individuality overpowers conformity and is a necessity in order to have a functioning society.
A multitude of symbols are used in the story Anthem by Ayn Rand in order to demonstrate the conflict between individuality and conformity and to prove how important individuality is to one’s life. Thus, through the use of the light bulb, the Uncharted Forest, and the new name, Ayn Rand is able to incorporate the theme of individuality versus conformity during the entirety of the novella. The demonstration of individuality is imperative because in order to have a fully functioning world, there needs to be some form of uniqueness in order for everyone to have something they can call their