Anthem is a science fiction novella by Ayn Rand, first published in 1938. Set in a dystopian future, it tells the story of one man’s struggle against a totalitarian and collectivist society. The protagonist, Equality 7-2521, is a scientist who discovers electricity and struggles against the oppressive collective, eventually finding freedom and individualism.
The setting of Anthem is an unnamed city in an unspecified future. The oppressive system of government and the collectivist society are described in detail. The city is surrounded by a great wall, and the citizens are instructed to never venture beyond it. They live in collective homes, and travel in collective vehicles. The citizens are referred to as "brothers" and are assigned numbers instead of names. They are taught to put collective interests first and to think and act as a group. It is a stark contrast to the world of individualism and freedom that Equality 7-2521 eventually discovers.
The society in Anthem is highly religious, with a state-sponsored religion that worships the "Great Truth". The citizens are forbidden from speaking the word "I", and are taught to worship the collective as a higher power. This religion is a source of strength for the citizens and gives them a sense of purpose. It also serves to reinforce their loyalty to the state.
The city of Anthem is a dystopia in which individualism is oppressed and collectivism is embraced. The citizens are taught to put the collective before their own interests, and have no sense of freedom or individual identity. Equality 7-2521 discovers the world outside of the city and discovers a world of individualism and freedom. He learns to think for himself and to stand up against the oppressive system.
What is the Symbolism in Anthem?
The overall theme of Anthem is individualism and freedom against oppression and collectivism. This is symbolized throughout the novella in many ways. Equality 7-2521 discovers electricity, which symbolizes the power of the individual over the collective. He also discovers the word "I", which is a symbol of his newfound sense of individualism. The tunnel that he digs symbolizes his journey to freedom and his escape from the oppressive society. The Unmentionable Times symbolize a dark period in the past when individualism was repressed, while the Golden One symbolizes the hope of a better future.
The setting of Anthem is also highly symbolic. The great wall that surrounds the city symbolizes the physical and psychological barriers that prevent the citizens from experiencing freedom and individualism. The collectivist society and the state-sponsored religion symbolize the oppressive forces that keep the citizens in line and prevent them from thinking for themselves. The world outside of the wall symbolizes a world of freedom and individualism, which is ultimately what Equality 7-2521 discovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the setting of Anthem?
The setting of Anthem is an unnamed city in an unspecified future. The oppressive system of government and the collectivist society are described in detail. The city is surrounded by a great wall, and the citizens are instructed to never venture beyond it.
What is the symbolism in Anthem?
The overall theme of Anthem is individualism and freedom against oppression and collectivism. This is symbolized throughout the novella in many ways, such as Equality 7-2521 discovering electricity and the word "I", and the tunnel he digs symbolizing his journey to freedom. The great wall that surrounds the city and the collectivist society symbolize the oppressive forces that prevent the citizens from experiencing freedom and individualism.
What is the overall theme of Anthem?
The overall theme of Anthem is individualism and freedom against oppression and collectivism. The citizens are taught to put the collective before their own interests, and have no sense of freedom or individual identity. Equality 7-2521 discovers the world outside of the city and discovers a world of individualism and freedom.
What is the state-sponsored religion in Anthem?
The state-sponsored religion in Anthem is a worship of the "Great Truth". The citizens are forbidden from speaking the word "I", and are taught to worship the collective as a higher power. This religion is a source of strength for the citizens and gives them a sense of purpose.
What is the significance of Equality 7-2521's discovery of electricity?
Equality 7-2521's discovery of electricity symbolizes the power of the individual over the collective. It symbolizes his newfound sense of individualism and his desire to think and act for himself, rather than follow the orders of the oppressive collective.
Why is the tunnel important in Anthem?
The tunnel that Equality 7-2521 digs symbolizes his journey to freedom and his escape from the oppressive society. It symbolizes his determination in the face of adversity, and his courage to stand up against the oppressive system.
What is the significance of the Unmentionable Times in Anthem?
The Unmentionable Times symbolize a dark period in the past when individualism was repressed. They represent a time when people were not allowed to think or act for themselves, and were forced to follow the orders of the oppressive collective.
What is the significance of the Golden One in Anthem?
The Golden One symbolizes the hope of a better future. Equality 7-2521 discovers her outside of the city and realizes that there is a world beyond the oppressive collective. She symbolizes his newfound sense of individualism and freedom, and his determination to stand up against the oppressive system.
What is the message of Anthem?
The message of Anthem is that individualism and freedom should be embraced, rather than suppressed and oppressed. Equality 7-2521 discovers a world of individualism and freedom outside of the oppressive collective, and stands up against the oppressive system. The message is that people should be allowed to think and act for themselves, and that freedom should be celebrated, rather than repressed.