Self Esteem In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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The universe is like a giant puzzle, with everyone tailored to be their own specific piece. This phenomenon makes the world go round. Yet, even though all people are of the same flesh and being, everyone is not identical. Some people value themselves greater, some crave independence and some are simply different. The dystopian novella, Anthem, written by Ayn Rand in 1937 and published in 1938, is a device used to incite an innate desire for self-worth, freedom and individuality within humanity. What truly is self-esteem? Everyone evaluates themselves. High self esteem can push people to do better things, achieving higher feats than ever before. On the other hand, low self-esteem can hinder a person's ability to function. In the society of …show more content…
Governing units consider their citizens free by the amount of rights that the people receive. The people in the society of Anthem do not receive any liberties. The vast lack of these is appalling. People are practically brainwashed with the mantra the World Council teaches the society, which does nothing but spread the idea of collectivism further. People cannot talk to other genders, and are segregated by job. This would be mass separation causing problems that lead up to the civil rights movement in modern times, if only people were not brainwashed in this society. It is clearly not just, to separate people because of bodily or socioeconomic factors. Furthermore, forcing people to mate at the Palace of Mating is taking away people's human rights as well. No one should have to engage in a sexual activity before their time or with someone just because someone else told them it was necessary. Equality is not fond of any of these things in his society. He writes against the Palace of Mating saying it is an “ugly and shameful matter” (41). Like his brothers, Equality is not happy in the society with these impediments, until he reaches the Uncharted Forest. Once away from the people and the place that held him back he can now be free. He laughs and sings, finally pleased with himself, sending that the sense of his journey was to …show more content…
How could people like Stephen Hawking and Pablo Picasso exist in the world without individuality? It is simply not possible. One cannot solve the origins of the Earth and create magnificent works of art without personal identity. The society within Anthem manages to eliminate all extraordinary people and trade them for people that are utterly normal and all the same. It is not the fault of the citizens, for they are forced away from their parents into mass homes at an age before memory. They sleep in a place called “The sleeping halls [which is] white and clean and bare of all things save one hundred beds” (20). The society even has a Council of Vocations that picks jobs for people and they are expected to blindly follow. The most basic amenities of choosing friends and activities are wiped from the conscience, causing people to spend all their time working. The reason the citizens within the society are so combined is because of the collectivist values and laws. The Council places regulations against preference, meaning an individual cannot like a person over another, or an activity, or simply a food, which is the main thing that hinders individuality. This would completely eliminate favorites or the opposite, entities that are disliked. Imagine not having a best friend, favorite musician, or even a parent, all for the purpose of attempting to eliminate possible issues that come with relationships and favor.
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