The main theme behind Rand’s Anthem is
the importance of self-discovery and self-awareness
. Rand, like many in the twentieth century, was concerned with the loss of self if people were to give up personal rights that include the word “I”.
What discovery of nature does equality 7-2521 make?
While dissecting a frog hanging on a copper wire, Equality 7-2521 discovers
the power of electricity
, which he explores in his tunnel underground.
What is the message of Anthem by Ayn Rand?
The main theme behind Rand’s Anthem is
the importance of self-discovery and self-awareness
. Rand, like many in the twentieth century, was concerned with the loss of self if people were to give up personal rights that include the word “I”.
What type of society is Anthem?
Anthem is
a dystopian society
where every aspect of an individuals life is controlled by the government.
Why did Ayn Rand wrote Anthem?
Ayn Rand wrote Anthem in the 1930s
as a warning to Western civilization about the horrors of collectivism, whether of the Nazi or Communist variety
. … Only collectivist thought and speech are permitted. Individuals think and speak of themselves only as “we.”
Why is I the unspeakable word in Anthem?
They had torn out the tongue of the Transgressor
, so that they could speak no longer. The Transgressor has spoken the word I, the “unspeakable word,” and the cutting out of his tongue is a symbolic gesture of silencing him as well as all individuality. …
Why is I forbidden in Anthem?
The state has forbidden humans from speaking or even thinking of the word
“I.” Society has mandated, under punishment of death, that all first-person references are with the plural “we,” even when the reference is to a single person.
Why does equality want to see his face?
As a consequence of holding and reaching values of his own, Equality 7-2521 experiences the previously unknown sensation of pride. … This
sense of self worth
is why, for the first time, he desires to see his face and know what he looks like.
Why does equality want his reflection?
Discuss why Equality is so interested in seeing his own image at this point in the novel and discuss
the emotion he is feeling
. He suddenly feels like (and enjoys) being an individual who is different from everyone else. He is feeling personal pride. … He has learned so much that he feels older and wiser.
What realization does equality come to at the end of Chapter 7?
As he wanders the forest, Equality 7-2521 concludes that he is
“doomed
.” He finds solace in his invention, which he crafted in the spirit of discovery. He resigns himself to an imminent death. Finally, he comes to the painful realization that he will never see the Golden One again.
Why is it called Anthem?
First appearing in Old English in the form antefn,
anthem derives ultimately from Greek antiphōnos
—a word meaning “responsive” that is a combination of anti-, meaning “over” or “against,” and phōnē, “sound” or “voice.” The Greek root gives a hint as to what the musical form of early anthems was like.
What is Equality’s curse?
Equality 7-2521, the character’s specific curse is
that he was born with intelligence
. This causes him great unhappiness in life as he is smart enough to see how his government is failing him, but unable to create changes to his situation. The intelligence makes him naturally curious and question his surroundings.
Why is life so short in Anthem?
The first reason for such a short life expectancy is that
there is nothing to live for in this world
. The Old Ones have already lived an unfulfilling life, and being in the Home of the Useless certainly does not enhance their lives. With nothing to look forward to, they might as well die.
What does light symbolize in Anthem?
Light. Light represents
truth in
Anthem. … The whole society lives by candlelight, and the society’s leaders fear the light when Equality 7-2521 brings it to them. Light illuminates human dignity and human error for Rand, both of which the society in Anthem tries to sweep under the rug.
What happened to equality in Anthem?
Equality 7-2521 decides it’s time to leave the City for good
. Equality 7-2521 flees into the Uncharted Forest, where he won’t be followed. He enjoys frolicking around and enjoying his first experience of real freedom. Liberty 5-3000 finds Equality 7-2521 in the forest; she’d been following him.
Is Anthem set in the future?
Anthem is a dystopian fiction novella by Russian-American writer Ayn Rand, written in 1937 and first published in 1938 in the United Kingdom. The story
takes place at an unspecified future date when mankind has entered another Dark Age
.
