The Confession Of Equality In Ayn Rand's Anthem
The novella Anthem by Ayn Rand showcases the confession of Equality, who lives in a society that scorns individualism. In the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henry, the main character is a martyr with an unbreakable spirit. Equality and the main character are alike; they are both persecuted by their respective societies and possess similar characteristics as a result. Equality and the main character are both rebels in their society, which brands them as somebody to punish. The community Ayn Rand has built promotes the birth of collectivism and the death of individualism. For example, Equality is not allowed to use the word “I” and has never been introduced to the concept of “himself.” The consequences of discovering that he is a separate
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When Equality discovers himself (and his reflection) at the end of the book, he becomes confident in his ability to be himself. This change occurred even before with Liberty’s nickname for him: “The Unconquered” and when he ran away into the Uncharted Forest with his lightbox when it was deemed a threat. In Equality’s monologue he says, “I am the meaning. I wished to find a warrant for being. I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction,” (Rand 94). Equality is creating his own declaration of independence: that he is an “I” and not a “we” like his society had beaten him into thinking. He conquered his society’s mainframe without a single thought. Equality is not the only one with an unbreakable soul. The main character of “Invictus” defies his persecutor, whether it be a person, society, or government. He says, “It matters not how strait the gait/ how charged with punishments the scroll/ I am the master of my fate/ I am the captain of my soul,” (Henry ). The main character’s statement goes to show that because he knows himself so well that he cannot be controlled by someone, a master, if you will. He lives to be himself only, and won’t be broken into something he isn’t. Equality and the main character both possess the quality of a leader: confidence and a passionate drive to be
When Equality discovers himself (and his reflection) at the end of the book, he becomes confident in his ability to be himself. This change occurred even before with Liberty’s nickname for him: “The Unconquered” and when he ran away into the Uncharted Forest with his lightbox when it was deemed a threat. In Equality’s monologue he says, “I am the meaning. I wished to find a warrant for being. I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction,” (Rand 94). Equality is creating his own declaration of independence: that he is an “I” and not a “we” like his society had beaten him into thinking. He conquered his society’s mainframe without a single thought. Equality is not the only one with an unbreakable soul. The main character of “Invictus” defies his persecutor, whether it be a person, society, or government. He says, “It matters not how strait the gait/ how charged with punishments the scroll/ I am the master of my fate/ I am the captain of my soul,” (Henry ). The main character’s statement goes to show that because he knows himself so well that he cannot be controlled by someone, a master, if you will. He lives to be himself only, and won’t be broken into something he isn’t. Equality and the main character both possess the quality of a leader: confidence and a passionate drive to be