Ayn Rand Institute

“To be free a man must be free of his brothers. That is freedom. This and nothing else” (101). These words proclaimed by the main character Equality 7-2521 in the novella Anthem by Ayn Rand show the dynamic realization made in conclusion to the character’s struggle. Throughout Equality’s mental journey in the story, he develops many thoughts such as these. Thoughts questioning his society and its morals. Thoughts questioning the very foundation of the world he lives in. “We are one in all and…

Creating Free Will and Individuality in an Oppressive Society In the excerpt titled “The Soul of an Individualist” from Ayn Rand’s novel The Fountainhead she writes, “Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision. The great creators — the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors — stood alone against the men of their time.” She also mentions these individual creators got nothing but hate in response for their…

himself and his invention from the angry mob of so-called intellectuals who could not understand him or his genius gadget. From there he runs straight into the uncharted forest. The protagonist is trying to escape from the dystopian society imagined by Ayn Rand, in her novella Anthem. Equality, the central character of the story, is a naturally inventive person who wants to have an intellectual profession; instead, he is assigned a street sweeper's job, which he is required to perform for the…

Leaders of a society in the book Anthem by Ayn Rand, are unfairly rude, giving Equality a change of mind to think for himself. Leaders are also defined as a council whom are very strict on rules and laws. Consequences end to lashings to the back, to the end of the book Equality is lashed for not telling the council of his where abouts. Anthem is based on the future events which got that society where they are at now. Children grow up without a parent figure, never having a bond with a adult…

settles for less. This is why Rand wrote Roark to come out on top after years of struggling and why Keating ends up ruined. Roark’s path to success is determined by his independence. In the beginning of the novel this is a problem. Roark refuses jobs that would make him dependent…

In the story “Anthem”, by Ayn Rand, collectivism plays a big role. The people are restricted by the collectivist government, the leaders banning freedom of speech and freedom of thought. The people are punished if they are to think for themselves, or go against the regime. Collectivism is the belief that the group should take priority over individuals in it, which is the main belief in the society that Equality 7-2521 lives in. It is the inverse of Individualism. The people in the society all…

only person who every tried to see who he really is was liberty. On the inside of the house there are the words “I” and “ego”.” The word which can never die on this earth, for it is the heart of it and the meaning and the glory. The sacred word: EGO” (Rand 105). To Equality these are the most important words to exist. These word are Equality’s inner individuality that he has found at the end of the book. The…

A system of monstrous tyranny holds individuality captive making true happiness rare. When one is muted by society’s harsh regulations, they suffer internally and conceal a range of emotions. In the novella Anthem, Ayn Rand creates a character named Equality who feels tremendous sorrow for the way his life is, but will eventually locate the power behind his own voice. He will use his experiences to guide his acts of defiance and overcome opposing obstacles. Despair and the negative attitude of…

an abundance of opportunity for change. However, when equality takes the chance to showcase his intelligence to the Council of Scholars, he is met with the response, “How dared you think that your mind held greater than the minds of your brothers” (Rand 71)? Although, like Hamilton, Equality put in copious of work into his efforts, he was met with criticism rather than the praise he expected. “Go ahead and tell everybody / I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man / Yes I am, yes I am, yes I am”…

It is a sin to write, love, think, and feel freely. Anthem, a fictional story by Ayn Rand, tells the story of a dystopian society, far in the future. You are all equal and are never to say, “I,” “Me,” or “Mine.” Equality 7-2521 is a young boy in search of a world where he can discover and investigate on his own. However, when his scientific discovery gets rejected, will he ever be safe in his own community ever again? Throughout the course of the text, the theme of Relationships has changed and…