anthem essay conclusion

Ayn Rand’s “Anthem” Book Analysis Essay

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Introduction

Gaining equality through the injustice of government, the motivational success of individuality and freedom, the collectivist model, government overreach and control that limits innovation, works cited.

An excellent introduction to Ayn Rand’s theory of human nature is the book Anthem . Her moral and political philosophies are fundamentally based on the topic and fundamental struggle of the novella—the individual versus the collective—which appears in all of her works. In the undetermined future, where freedom and individual rights have been eradicated, the events of Anthem take place. Despite being centered on the antiutopian model of the narration, the author strives to show the first step for the person to obtain individuality. Collectivism results in the elimination of individuality as a concept. The current paper is devoted to supporting the author’s idea regarding the negative impact of collectivism on personality formation.

Supporting the ideology of the author and the situation depicted in the novel, Maoism in China can be mentioned. The essence of Maoism is to combine classical communist ideas with Great Han chauvinism and Chinese centrism. The Chinese Communists managed to overcome the heavy legacy of Maoism, leading the country out of the impasse (Jones and Smith). The situation with Equality 7-2521 is similar when the living conditions of people are meager, and any attempts to express individuality are punished. The collectivism of all countries has always been reflected in history and consists in the fact that people have their values and traditions peculiar to the collective of each country – its people. The author writes: “We are one in all and all in one” (Rand 3). The enslavement of the individual to the collective, regardless of the group’s race, class, or state affiliation, is what Ayn Rand refers to as “collectivism.” In such circumstances, a person is not seen as an independent being with an existence of their own but rather as a member of a group whose primary function is to meet that group’s requirements.

The ruling class in Equality 7-2521 tries to instill an “ant colony” attitude where people replicate the self-sacrificing lives of insects for the greater welfare of the collective. The goal of the government is to eradicate all notions of uniqueness from human nature and, with it, all aspects of active personal existence. Each individual is identified by a broad collectivist principle, such as equality, internationalism, or solidarity, rather than by their own unique name. The reason that each person has a number associated with their collectivist identity is also explained by this endeavor to eradicate all aspects of individuality. No one is exceptional or distinctive because the state believes that individuality is illusory; instead, people are interchangeable components of a larger whole.

In her writings, Ayn Rand presents people who must weigh crucial options and occasionally decide between life and death situations. The most prominent example is Equality 7-2521; however, she is not the only character in the story to undertake questionable decisions. He could opt not to ponder the Unspeakable Word, but he does. He does not want to submit to the Council’s demands; therefore, he wants to keep the tunnel’s existence and his experiments a secret. Out of all the people in society, he chooses International 4-8818 and the Golden One for his close friends. Instead of surrendering his brightness and life to the Councils, he decides to flee into the woods.

To morally criticize the people for failing to maintain their own minds and spirits would be a disaster. They are not wicked, but the authoritarianism of the government has made them timid. Councils that demand slavish submission are wicked. The heroic characters instead pose the fascinating question of how they are able to maintain their own ideas in the face of such tremendous pressure to comply. The author states: “No… We are one…alone…and only… and we love you who are one… alone.. and only” (Rand 76). The aim of Ayn Rand is to extol the rare people who, against all conventional norms and teachings, are aware that their thoughts are precious and should not be ceded to authority.

One person cannot go against the whole system existing in the novel. Despite understanding how distrustful the system is for the people, the only thing such generous people can do is find others who share their position and escape, as shown in the novel. History has various examples of such an escapement of genius people being tortured by totalitarian governments. For example, many world-famous writers and poets, such as Brodsky and Nabokov, left Russia due to the USSR government’s persecution (Guzeva, 2019). As a result, the cultural heritage of the country is depleted. These people found the strength to escape being led by their identity as well as the main characters of the novel.

This society’s leaders are not concerned with science or the truth. They must exert control over citizens’ thoughts in order to keep control over society. The repression of free thought is necessary for the conquest and maintenance of authoritarian authority. Therefore, freedom of speech, which includes freedom of thinking and expression, is outlawed forever by real-world tyrants, whether they be fascists, National Socialist, or communists. Although the dictators themselves are not particularly intelligent, they instinctively know that the mind is their adversary. In order to block any potential mind development, the government limits the freedom of speech: “… we must never speak of the times before the Great Rebirth, else we are sentenced to three years in the Palace of Corrective Detention” (Rand 4). Dictators understand that the rational mind is their most formidable enemy since intellectuals are only interested in the truth and not the arbitrary orders of power-hungry tyrants.

The intellect can find no refuge, no example like the United States to which one may travel in order to acquire an independent existence, if the entire planet is a worldwide dictatorship, as in Anthem, and if freedom does not exist anywhere on earth. The author demonstrates how the mind will be suppressed everywhere in such a situation. There will not be any innovative or creative thinking, scientific research, technical advancements, or industrial growth.

The currently existing example of such a situation is in North Korea. Due to the totalitarian regime established on the country’s territory, the government controls all the income and outcome informational flows. In 2019 Kim Jong Un expressed regret regarding the technological situation in the country (Williams, 2020). The innovative developments are entirely controlled, limiting the multicultural information exchange bounding the research and production. Such limitations allow the government to make the nation easily controllable because people have no other option for how free life can be.

The ability of illicit passion for enlightening and elevating is seen in Rand’s Anthem . In an undetermined future time and place when freedom and individual rights have been eradicated, the plot of Anthem is set. Equality 7-2521, the protagonist, is a bright young man who aspires to be a scientist but is forced to work as a street sweeper by a dictatorship that is afraid of his intellectual independence. The core of the anthem is the battle of Equality 7-2521 to think, live, and love on his terms and in opposition to the cruel regime. Ayn Rand uses her character’s struggle to defend people’s freedom to live their own lives and issues a warning about modern society’s unrelenting shift toward collectivism.

Guzeva, Alexandra. “ 7 Most Famous Russian Writers Who Migrated Abroad .” Russia Beyond, Web.

Rand, Ayn. Anthem . Signet, 1961.

Smith, Lamar and Jones, Martin. “ The Strategy of the Mind: Maoism and Culture War in the West .” Military Strategy Magazine, Web.

Williams, Martin. “ Technology Be a Silver Bullet for the North Korean Economy? ” 38North, Web.

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IvyPanda. (2024, March 30). Ayn Rand’s “Anthem” Book Analysis. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ayn-rands-anthem-book-analysis/

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Anthem Essay Contest

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Essays are judged on whether the student is able to justify and argue for his or her view—not on whether the Institute agrees with the view the student expresses. Our graders look for writing that is clear, articulate, and logically organized. Essays should stay on topic, address all parts of the selected prompt, and interrelate the ideas and events in the novel. Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of Anthem .

Available Essay Topics

Ayn Rand once said that chapters XI and XII of  Anthem  contain the real anthem of the story. Consider several different definitions of the word “anthem” and then explain why you think Ayn Rand called the book “Anthem.” In what sense do you think chapters XI and XII (or the book as a whole) is an anthem? How does the book’s title relate to the themes and message of the story? Explain your answer.

For the following statement from  Anthem , explain its role in the story, its relation to the themes and message of the story, and its relevance to your own life: “Indeed you are happy,” they answered. “How else can men be when they live for their brothers?”

Equality 7-2521 has committed some of the worst crimes there are in his society. If those crimes are discovered, he faces the risk of terrible punishment. Yet in the face of this danger, and despite how much Equality has suffered at the hands of his society, he resolves to bring his invention (and admit his crimes) to the World Council of Scholars. What motivates him to come forward? What does he hope to achieve? If you were Equality’s friend (like International 4-8818) or the person who loves him (like Liberty 5-3000), what would you want him to do, and why? What do you think would be right for him to do, and why?

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Anthem  Essay Contest

For all students in grades 8 through 12, ages 13+, next entry deadline: may 31, 2024, cash prizes, select one of the following three topics:.

Is the world of Anthem a depiction of a possible future? Do you think Ayn Rand intended it to be? Defend your answers by pointing both to specific events in the story and to examples from today or from history that support your claims.

In the society of Anthem , one of the worst sins is the “Transgression of Preference.” Using examples both from the novel and from real life, discuss the role of preferences in the formation of a person’s individual character. Why do you think the leaders of the society teach that it is immoral to prefer one person or thing over others? In your answer, consider what role preferences play in your own life.

In Chapter XII of Anthem , Prometheus says that the worship of the word “We” caused modern society to collapse into ruins. Explain what he means by this, referring to specific details from the novel. Are there widespread attitudes in your society today that represent “worship of the word ‘We’”? If so, what impact does this “worship” have on your society and on your own life? If not, what fundamental attitudes and ideas explain the difference between your society and the society in Anthem ?

Essays will be judged on whether the student is able to argue for and justify their view—not on whether the Institute agrees with the view the student expresses. Judges will look for writing that is clear, articulate and logically organized. Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of Anthem .

Essay submissions are evaluated in a fair and unbiased four-round judging process. Judges are individually selected by the Ayn Rand Institute based on a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Ayn Rand’s works.

To ensure the anonymity of our participants, winners’ names are unknown to judges until after essays have been ranked and the contest results finalized.

• The Ayn Rand Institute’s (ARI’s) Anthem essay contest is open to all students worldwide, except where void or prohibited by law.
• Entrants must be at least 13 years of age and be enrolled as an 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th student during the school year in which the contest is held. ARI reserves the right to make exceptions to this rule, on a case-by-case basis, for international students or for students with nonstandard school years. Verification of school enrollment will be required for all winning entrants.
• Students are permitted to submit no more than one entry to the contest, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements outlined above and have not previously won first-place in the contest.
• Essays must not include any personally identifiable information (name, email, school, et cetera). Your entry may be disqualified should such information be discovered in the essay.
• Essays must be written in English only, and be between 600 and 1,200 words in length. Spelling errors and/or written corrections (by anyone) found in the essay will count against the final grade and should be omitted before submission.
• Essays must be solely the work of the entrant. Plagiarism will result in automatic disqualification.
• Essays must not infringe on any third-party rights or intellectual property of any person, company or organization. By submitting an essay to this contest, the entrant agrees to indemnify ARI for any claim, demand, judgment or other allegation arising from possible violation of someone’s trademark, copyright or other legally protected interest in any way in the entrant’s essay.
• Essays must be submitted electronically through ARI’s online application portal. If you are unable to submit your essay electronically, please contact us at [email protected].
• Essays must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time of the entry deadline. ARI reserves the right to provide contest deadline extensions on a case-by-case basis when deemed appropriate.
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• All entrants who advance to the final round of grading will be expected to participate in a video interview with ARI. Declining such an interview may result in disqualification from the contest.
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• Winners are responsible for providing their mailing addresses and other necessary information under the law in order to receive any prizes. Prizes must be claimed within six months of the results being announced.
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Anthem essay questions.

How does the manipulation of language enforce collectivist doctrine in the society of Anthem ?

One of the main motifs in the novel is the omission of the word "I" from human knowledge, as it enforces the association of the self with the group and the state in the unconscious. Over the course of the novella, Equality 7-2521 begins to recognize the need for this Unspeakable Word, but his society has not equipped him with the mental machinery necessary to work out the exact nature of what he is missing. Although he breaks away from the collective at a relatively early point, he does not understand how to offer an alternative philosophy until this block in his thinking is removed, and his search for the Unspeakable Word is a central struggle in Anthem .

How does Rand connect Equality 7-2521's mental development to the ideals of the Enlightenment?

As Equality 7-2521 rediscovers electricity, he replicates the experiments of Galvani, Volta, and Franklin, all of whom lived and conducted their research during the eighteenth-century Enlightenment. Franklin was particularly involved with the founding of the United States of America and borrowed heavily from the ideas of contemporaries such as John Locke; Equality 7-2521 comes to appreciate the value of these ideals as he increasingly emphasizes an adaptation the Declaration of Independence's emphasis on "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," which in turn stems from Locke's protection of "life, health, liberty, or possessions." Finally, as Prometheus, the protagonist obliquely cites Enlightenment thinkers as he discusses the history of man, who "declared to all his brothers that a man has rights which neither god nor king nor other men can take away from him."

How do Equality 7-2521's experiments with electricity and the invention of the glass box influence his understanding of self?

Prior to discovering the tunnel and commencing his scientific experiments, Equality 7-2521 believes that the Council of Scholars is omniscient in its understanding of nature, and that he is at fault for exceeding others in a society that worships forced equality. However, after he discovers electricity, he realizes that the Council of Scholars does not know everything and that he as an individual can achieve more than any group. He also discovers that he can find happiness in experimentation because, for once, he is free to do as he wishes, and he thereby learns an appreciation for the strength of his own body. After inventing the glass box, he at first believes that he values the box because he sees its potential for humanity, but eventually, he learns that he actually loves the box because it is his creation and thus an extension of his self.

Explain the connection between mind, body, and self in Anthem .

At the beginning of the novella, Equality 7-2521 has a very incomplete understanding of self, so he ironically views the superiority of his mind and body as a crutch that prevents him from assimilating into his society and living morally. However, when he invents the glass box, he finally appreciates the strength of his own body and mind, and when he meets the Golden One, he learns that the connection between mind and body is particularly strong. His and the Golden One's fearless, strong bodies represent their similarly worthy minds, and, on the night of his invention of the box, Equality 7-2521 finally realizes that to take pride in one's body and accomplishments is akin to taking pride in oneself. By the end of the story, he has learned that mind, body, and self are inextricably interwoven -- and that the result is an ideal whole.

In what ways does Rand reverse our usual expectations about morality in Anthem ?

At the heart of Anthem is a polemical argument that reverses our assumptions about selfishness and altruism. Collectivism operates on the expectation that if every man unselfishly works for others, all will be happier, but in Rand's extreme collectivist society, this philosophy leads inevitably to the repression of the able individual, while an egoist man will by contrast benefit society by working solely for himself. Rand also represents this apparently counter-intuitive argument through the visual association of snow white -- traditionally the hue of innocence and purity -- with the evil indoctrination of the Home of the Students, while placing Equality 7-2521's positive scientific experiments in the dark tunnel. Correspondingly, Equality 7-2521 develops the philosophy of egoism and comes to believe the opposite of what the Home of the Students taught him.

What is the significance of the Uncharted Forest for Equality 7-2521?

The Uncharted Forest serves two major functions for Equality 7-2521: it is a foreshadowing of his future, and it is an affirmation of his doubts regarding collectivism. At first, Equality 7-2521's thoughts are drawn to the Uncharted Forest because he senses that it separates the flawed collectivist society of the City from possible remnants of the Unmentionable Times with which he is obsessed. Later, his body recognizes unconsciously that the solution to his break with the World Council of Scholars lies in the forest, and he runs instinctively into it. Once he enters the Uncharted Forest, he begins a mental and physical journey away from the City, triggered by the sense of happiness and independence that he now associates with the wilderness.

Explain the relationship between the Golden One and Equality 7-2521.

The Golden One is not simply Equality 7-2521's love interest; she also serves as his first disciple, who follows him into his forest and trails the path he blazes into a rejection of collectivism. Accordingly, despite the importance of the romantic subplot in Equality 7-2521's mental development, the Golden One is a secondary character who does not exhibit the full three-dimensionality of Equality 7-2521. For him, she is a symbol, and he loves her rationally and because she instinctively shares his values and character. His love for her is also an exploration of his love for himself, which he comes to celebrate because it brings him joy.

What is the significance of the house of the Unmentionable Times for Equality 7-2521?

Sensing that his literal and metaphorical journey away from the City is coming to a close, Equality 7-2521 chooses to settle with the Golden One in the new house to create a new, individualist life where he can discover the Unspeakable Word and resolve his inner dialogue on collectivism. The house is an embodiment of the values of the Unmentionable Times, and Equality 7-2521 specifically mentions that it belonged to only two people, emphasizing its rejection of collectivist values. The house also contains a mirror in which the Golden One stares fascinated for hours, allowing her to gain Equality 7-2521's understanding of the importance of the body. Moreover, it features many electrical appliances and books which give Equality 7-2521 a fuller knowledge of what humanity has forgotten in its worship of "We."

Compare the scene of the World Council of Scholars with the penultimate chapter's proclamation of "I" in terms of their respective philosophical arguments.

The words of the World Council of Scholars encapsulate the basis and problems of collectivism, just as Equality 7-2521's words about his rediscovery of "I" constitute a manifesto in favor of egoism. Whereas Collective 0-0009 tells Equality 7-2521 that "what is not thought by all men cannot be true," Equality 7-2521 chooses to search for the Objectivist truth. He says in Chapter Eleven, "I am not a sacrifice on their altars," directly refuting the council members' claim that he must submit to the will of others and serve society as the authorities see fit. While the meeting with the Council of Scholars marks the point of no return, after which Equality 7-2521 inevitably leaves and rediscovers "I," his manifesto celebrates his discovery and allows him to justify his refusal of his society.

What are some potential errors of Rand's arguments in Anthem ?

Because Rand chooses to argue against the most extreme possible manifestation of collectivism with the most extreme form of individualism, she does not adequately refute the supposition that a moderate form of collectivism or even a slightly altruistic society based mainly on individualism may have merit. Rand's declaration that man will most efficiently help society by focusing solely on his own works is an exaggerated version of capitalism, but in historical practice, a purely selfish approach has often led to a gap between the rich and the poor that has had more to do with lack of opportunity for the poor than with their weakness. Furthermore, Rand proposes a model based on a perfect human rationality that may only exist in theory, and one might consequently contend that Rand has made some false assumptions about human nature that rival her description of the errors of Marxism.

Anthem Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Anthem is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What is a typical day like in Equality’s life?

A typical day in Equality's life consists of waking up in a communal sleeping hall, eating breakfast with his fellow street sweepers, performing his assigned job during the day, and attending government-mandated classes and leisure activities in...

You write "in" . Are you referring to a specific chapter or the book as a whole?

How does equality 7-2521 demonstrate his rejection of his society in

In what? Are you referring to a specific section of the novel?

Study Guide for Anthem

Anthem study guide contains a biography of Ayn Rand, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Anthem
• Anthem Summary
• Character List

Essays for Anthem

Anthem literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Anthem by Ayn Rand.

• The Merit of Ipseity
• Ayn Rand in Context
• Family Sway
• The Evolution of Equality: A Self-Liberated Character
• A Curious Aspect of Progress: Inquiry vs. Oppression in 'Anthem'

Lesson Plan for Anthem

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Anthem
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Anthem Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Anthem

• Introduction

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Anthem — Summary of Anthem by Ayn Rand

Summary of Anthem by Ayn Rand

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Celebrating 25 Years of the Anthem Essay Contest

Today, ARI celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Anthem essay contest, which launched October 2, 1992. In its first year, ARI received 2,237 essay submissions from students. Fast forward twenty-five years and, to date, 257,708 essays have been submitted, and more than $300,000 in prize money has been awarded to students across the United States and around the world.

Click here to read the winning essay in the 2017 Anthem essay contest, submitted by Elisabeth Schlossel from The Spence School in New York, New York.

To highlight this milestone, we’d like to highlight comments from students and teachers who have read and been positively impacted by the novel’s thought-provoking themes.

 “As a student in today’s fast-paced society, Ayn Rand’s novels illustrate a set of morals that provide me with a clear-cut purpose and “why” in a life that can often become mindlessly rhythmic and meaningless.”

“A truly enlightening read; it completely changed my perspective on the ego.”

“ Anthem has been a huge success with my students, and has opened their eyes to many concepts they hadn’t considered before. I look forward to teaching it again and again.”

“Every time I teach one of Ayn Rand’s novels, I hear from a former student how it got them excited about her work or sent them off into a different direction of thought about the world.”

“I am so very excited about this. I only wish I had known of it sooner. These should all be required reading for all American students! These books will be used in my Social Studies classes as supplements to understanding about economics, government, socialism, and the Soviet Union. I will encourage other teachers in English and other courses to use these as a cross curriculum tool.”

Learn more about ARI’s annual essay contests for Ayn Rand’s Anthem , The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged , here .

Forging a Path to the Future: An Interview with ARI’s New CEO

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