The Motivation Of Equality In Ayn Rand's Anthem

In the novel “Anthem”, written by Ayn Rand, the main character, Equality, is an egoist. As he reaches the end of his life as a citizen in a collectivist society, he realizes that the only opinion that matters is his own. Equality’s main motivation is to change his life in ways that makes him happy, and he has every right to that. If society was motivated in this way, then the world would be different, however the change would not be drastic. Equality relies on himself to make a change in his life that would make him happier. Deep down, he knows that in order to be happy, he has to escape from his old society. For instance, as he was running to the Uncharted Forest he says to himself, “We are walking to the fangs awaiting among the great, silent trees. There is not a thing behind us to regret” (Rand 77). This illustrates how he does not regret anything he has done in the past. Subconsciously, he believes that he needs to go into the Uncharted Forest to make a change in his life. Another example of when Equality is determined to make his life happier is when he says, “What is my joy if all hands, even the unclean, can reach into it? What is my wisdom, if even all the fools can dictate to me? What is my freedom, if all creatures, even the botched and the impotent, are my masters. What is my life, if I am but to bow, to agree and to obey?” (97). This demonstrates how Equality is …show more content…
He knows that in order to make a change he has to act on it. However, if everyone was motivated the same way as Equality was, then society would be more independent and people would be happier than usual. If they are victims of those that seek happiness through bullying, on the other hand, then their lives would not be as happy, however with the motivation of Equality, they can try their hardest to make their lives better. This can make one think about how far a motivation like Equality's could get them in