The Power Of Individualism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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Throughout history, every time a collectivist society emerges, no citizen is willing to take that leap and free themselves. Similarly, when Hitler rose to power during World War II, all of the citizens fully devoted themselves to him. He was their leader and they would sacrifice anything for him and his Third Reich. Similarly, the Council in the society of Ayn Rand’s novella, Anthem, has created a world where everyone is obedient without any hesitation. The Council establishes so much fear that no one is willing to even take a risk in breaking the law except Equality 7-2521, a Street Sweeper. Equality is willing to take that leap and pursue what he truly believes in. Rebelling against the law helps Equality find his true self in his dictator like, collectivist society. Equality slowly progresses through his phases of rebellion. He finds his tunnel and steals from the House of the Street Sweepers. He should be “sentenced to ten…show more content…
Similarly, Equality is only driven with his own intellectual idea. The Council bans numerous laws and items, one being the light bulb. The society instead uses candles for light. Called a glass box, Equality has “created it” and “made it” “alone” with only his “hands” and “mind” (Anthem 59). His intelligence allows “his brain” to be “his only weapon” against society and the law (“The Soul of an Individualist” 2). He has now fully broken the law, creating his own invention that is banned to begin with, just like in the Unmentionable Times. But he doesn’t care, as he believes that he “must not keep” his “secret to” himself” but instead “bring into the sight of men” (Anthem 60). There is no shame in his work, but there is pride as his confidence is growing and he is slowly learning about a new way of life. One where he can be unique without being ashamed or in trouble with the

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