'Socialism Exposed In Ayn Rand's Anthem'

In Ayn Rand’s fiction novella “Anthem”,the world is a dreaded dystopia of collectivism that labels all forms of individuality as sin which seems to resemble an exaggeration of socialism or communism. Members of this society are selfless. They’re told by their superiors that their only purpose in life is to toil for their fellow men. They should not have feelings or care about living but rather care about working for their fellow brothers in whatever way they can. They are forced into dismal and grueling lives that they despise and anything they do that is different than their brothers results in punishment such as whipping,torture, and even execution. The city is a dreary place of tedious labor and dictation yet for some odd reason,nobody tries to oppose to it or form any kind of rebellion. Why is this? …show more content…
The leaders of the society make sure to hammer and drill into their heads during their time in the Home of the Students."Dare not choose in your minds the work you would like to do when you leave the Home of the Students. You shall do that which the Council of Vocations shall prescribe for you… if you are not needed by your brother man, there is no reason for you to burden the earth with your bodies.”(Rand 22) The men and women accept this life because they are ignorant of the alternative that existed in the past. They know little of the Unmentionable Times except that those who lived in them were the “The Evil Ones” and were defeated which followed the creation of the “utopia” they live in.The people also feel alone and only in their true feelings for their superiors. In a world where the people are united into one,those who stick out are outnumbered and overcame. No matter how much they abhor the World Council and the way of life they condone,they are unaware that anybody else feels as such. They presume any attempts they could make as