Individualism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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Imagine a world and in that world everything you do is controlled : what your job is, what you can and cannot say, whom you have children with, how smart you can be, everything is controlled. That world is the world Ayn Rand portrays in Anthem. The society in Anthem, compared to our society is very different from ours. In our society individualism can be seen everywhere, in the novella Anthem individualism is frowned upon. Everything is controlled and that needs to change. This is when Equality 7-2521 plays the biggest role. He envisions a society where individuality is encouraged and society will not be dictated. Therefore, Equality 7-2521 is that rebel who is pushing the rules away and forming his own society, where being an individual is the greatest thing you could possibly be. Laws. Laws keep us safe and in line. All though everyone can agree there are a few laws that have no meaning behind them. In Anthem multiple laws have no meaning, the word ¨I” is forbidden, your job is picked for you, you cannot ask questions, you cannot be happy without a good reason, how much you learn is controlled. All of these rules …show more content…
Freedom is what America is built off of. The society in Anthem has no freedom, freedom is forgotten in Anthem. When humans experience freedom is makes us feel euphoria. When Equality 7-2521 discovers the underground tunnel, it is his first time experiencing freedom and he loves that feeling of euphoria. Equality 7-2521 knows that what he is doing is ¨wrong¨ but he does not care. He loves the feeling of having freedom. A quote that supports that is ¨And in our heart-strange are the ways of evil!-in our heart is the first peace we have known in twenty years.¨(Rand 37). The peace Equality 7-2521 is the peace of knowing he has freedom even if it is against the law. Humans have a natural craving for freedom and now that Equality 7-2521 has the smallest bit of freedom he wants more. Freedom is going to be the biggest part of his new
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