Analysis Of Anthem, By Ayn Rand

“All men are good and wise. It is only we, Equality 7-2521, we alone who were born with a curse. For we are not like our brothers” (20). The novella Anthem by Ayn Rand tells the story of a man named Equality, who lives in a society where citizens are taught from birth that individuality is the enemy, and in order to survive, all men must join together and become truly equal. However, mankind is innately selfish, and this is particularly highlighted in Equality, a man who wishes to learn more than he is allowed. Initially, Equality feels that curiosity is a disease, and he “cannot resist it . . . we must know that we may know” (24). This curiosity has tortured him throughout his life, as he cannot attain more knowledge, lest he be superior
Why not just live out a happy, simple life like all of his brothers? But Equality has said that “we cannot stop now, even though it frightens us that we are alone in our knowledge” (54). The abundance of power has begun to scare Equality, but he remains adamant in his efforts to pursue higher knowledge and individuality. This cause is aided by the introduction of an alluring woman named Liberty 5-3000, whom Equality refers to as the Golden One. In Equality’s society, citizens are forbidden to take notice of the opposite sex, because doing so would break the law of preference. However, Equality finds himself drawn to Liberty, saying “when we think of them, we feel of a sudden that the earth is good and that it is not a burden to live” (41). His feelings for Liberty swell, creating more distance between Equality and his brothers and leading him further down the path of
His intent is to give his brothers “the greatest gift given to men. We shall tell them the truth” (67). Equality believes that by giving his light of knowledge to society, he would finally be able to repay them for all of his transgressions, and be able to invent more. However, his invention is not received well, as the Council believed that anything done alone was contemptible, and since Equality has done the work of others rather than focusing on his job, the box should be destroyed and Equality thrown in jail. He manages to escape with the power, running off into the Uncharted Forest without initially thinking. After his escape, Equality realizes that he was “one of the Damned” and it would be best for Liberty to “forget our name and the body which bore that name” (77). Despite that, Liberty shows up soon after in the forest, looking for Equality. The two set off together, finally free of the oppressive regime of ‘we’ set upon their shoulders, to start a new world, “our own world . . . a strange unknown world, but our own”