The Theme Of Equality In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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Behind the Words What is the point of having a society dedicated to equality, if you're not even pleased with it? Anthem by Ayn Rand is a novel based on equality. In this society there is no individuality, everyone says we to define the self instead of I. Equality 7 -2521 is the main character in this novel and he is smarter than others in this society. He explored his interest is and kept the secret of finding an old iron grill over a black hole from others until he lost track of time. He eventually left the community to be freed from this society and took his discovery of light elsewhere. In Anthem, equality signifies the grouping of people, which is forced upon the people of this society, by education, lack of equality, and government. Education is used to force equality in this collective society. Children with similar characteristics were treated equally by their teachers and peers, while those who appeared different were treated unfairly. "Ever have the teachers and leaders pointed to us and frowned and said: 'There is evil in your bones, Equality 7-2521, for your body has grown beyond the bodies of your brothers'"(Rand 18). He is treated differently because since he is naturally bigger than his brothers. The teachers and leaders would rather have students be equal in every way. This includes height …show more content…
No one is truly equal in Anthem because there are people higher in power. "How dare you think that your mind held greater wisdom than the minds of your brothers? And if the councils had decreed that you should be a street sweeper, how dare you think that you could be of greater use to men than in sweeping the streets?"(Rand 72). A person cannot be any more intelligent than the job he was assigned. There are people that enforce the rules who are higher than others, and there are those who follow those rules. If someone were given a role to play, that person was unable to be any smarter than that given
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