Individuality In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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The author of the book Anthem is Ayn Rand. The book was originally published in 1938. I personally didn’t like the book but it did have a good meaning behind it. It makes the reader open their eyes and see how valuable they could be to this world if they just be there selves. Imagine a world where the individual has been repressed to the point that the word “I” no longer exists. The rulers of the society do not permit any individual to think freely; all must lesser themselves to the state. "Collectivism," Ayn Rand says, "means the subjugation of the individual to the group — whether to a race, class or state does not matter." Under such conditions, a person is not regarded as an autonomous individual with a life of his or her own, but as a …show more content…
The authorities wish to remove from human nature all thoughts of individuality and, therefore, all elements of a personal life in action. No one has a personal name; instead each is tagged with generalized concepts of collectivism such as Equality, International, Solidarity, and so on. This attempt to extirpate all elements of individuality similarly explains why each person has a number attached to this collectivist label. Because the state considers individuality unreal, no person is unique or outstanding, human beings are interchangeable parts of a greater whole. As a further means toward the elimination of individuality, the state has forbidden friendship and romantic love. These elements of individuality are considered examples of the Transgression of Preference, the act of singling one person out of the mass of humankind for purposes of establishing a close …show more content…
Upon hearing Equality 7-2521's amazing words that they will not report the tunnel, International 4-8818 covers his ears, for never has he heard such words. But he chooses to risk death with his friend rather than obey the councils. "Rather shall we be evil with you than be good with all our brothers." He covers for Equality 7-2521 during the years in which he conducts his illicit research and never betrays him. Liberty 5-3000, the Golden One, similarly refuses to surrender her independence to the state. She, too, defies the decrees of the councils to achieve her ends. She notices Equality 7-2521, though she is supposed to take no heed of men. She names him in her mind The Unconquered. She speaks to him against all the rules. She abandons the city and the only life she has ever known, venturing alone into the Uncharted Forest to find him. In the end, it is she who, unaided, comes closest to re-discovering the Unspeakable Word when, in the forest, she gropes for the words with which to accurately express her feelings. She is an individualist like Equality 7-2521 and International
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