Often in novels, symbols are present. In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, candles provide the only source of light in the world in which Equality lives. This is the literal source of light. A symbolic meaning of the light is knowledge. The symbol of light is used throughout the novel to illustrate how the society limits knowledge and how humans have a natural pursuit for knowledge. Symbols represent something other than themselves, which is significant to the story. The symbol of light is used to illustrate how Equality’s society limits knowledge. According to the novel, it states, “It took fifty years to secure the approval of all the Councils for the Candle, and to decide upon the number needed, and to refit the Plans so as to make candles
