The novel Anthem by Ayn Rand was a short yet meaningful depiction of a dystopian society. The main character Equality 7-2521 lives in a world where having your own identity is a crime. "It was not that the learning was too hard for us. It was that the learning was too easy" (9) Equality always knew he was different at a young age. His teachers chastised him and others like him for being too tall, and too smart. His brightness did not earn him a fit job in the Home of Scholars, ironically, it earned him one of the lowest ranking jobs, a street sweeper. In this society, everyone becomes "brothers" with those in their same job field. When Equality discovers the light bulb he is convinced he will be accepted into the Home of Scholars. All through the reading you find out the obstacles and fences Equality has to climb in order to reach his happiness.
I as well as others thought that the symbolism with the characters names in the novel is very unique. Equality 7-2521, International 4-8818, Solidarity 9-63647 and Liberty 5-3000 are the main names in the novel. Having numbers in the names of the characters allows for the reader to get the sense of robotics, math, and loss of identity and individualism.
Solidarity 9-6347- unity (as of a group or class) that produces or is based on community of interests, objectives, and standards
Equality- the quality or state of being equal
International- of, relating to, or affecting two or more nations
Liberty- the quality or state of being free
The irony of the name Liberty is that they are quite the opposite of being free. They live in a society where sameness is a necessity and being an individual is not of question. Solidarity meaning a group that is based on interests or objectives, which is exactly what each job is. International perhaps meaning their society, and how the rules and expectations are affecting everyone. Lastly, Equality, where everyone is equal is in fact what their society doesn't seem to be, or to Equality 7-2521 at least.
My favorite part in the novel was when Equality and Liberty ( The Golden One) try and tell each other their feelings on page 112. Because their vocabulary does not consist of the word "I", it is not simple for them to portray their feelings. Liberty states, "We are one . . . alone . . . and only . . .and we love you who are one . . . alone . . . and only." Having these words come out of her mouth instead of a simple, as we know, i love you, is genius. I really like this passage because it was the first time either has told each other something of value, it was as if they had just gone through a milestone in their relationship.
Overall i thought this book was at first confusing by the means of the wording and syntax, however once the plot started to thicken i enjoyed the skin of the novel, right through to the backbone. But i definitely have to say that because of the relationship that Liberty and Equality had it definitely made me enjoy the book more.
I as well as others thought that the symbolism with the characters names in the novel is very unique. Equality 7-2521, International 4-8818, Solidarity 9-63647 and Liberty 5-3000 are the main names in the novel. Having numbers in the names of the characters allows for the reader to get the sense of robotics, math, and loss of identity and individualism.
Solidarity 9-6347- unity (as of a group or class) that produces or is based on community of interests, objectives, and standards
Equality- the quality or state of being equal
International- of, relating to, or affecting two or more nations
Liberty- the quality or state of being free
The irony of the name Liberty is that they are quite the opposite of being free. They live in a society where sameness is a necessity and being an individual is not of question. Solidarity meaning a group that is based on interests or objectives, which is exactly what each job is. International perhaps meaning their society, and how the rules and expectations are affecting everyone. Lastly, Equality, where everyone is equal is in fact what their society doesn't seem to be, or to Equality 7-2521 at least.
My favorite part in the novel was when Equality and Liberty ( The Golden One) try and tell each other their feelings on page 112. Because their vocabulary does not consist of the word "I", it is not simple for them to portray their feelings. Liberty states, "We are one . . . alone . . . and only . . .and we love you who are one . . . alone . . . and only." Having these words come out of her mouth instead of a simple, as we know, i love you, is genius. I really like this passage because it was the first time either has told each other something of value, it was as if they had just gone through a milestone in their relationship.
Overall i thought this book was at first confusing by the means of the wording and syntax, however once the plot started to thicken i enjoyed the skin of the novel, right through to the backbone. But i definitely have to say that because of the relationship that Liberty and Equality had it definitely made me enjoy the book more.
I really enjoyed reading your blog post about Anthem. I also found the names both interesting and ironic because of the meanings they had. However, what I liked best was the quote you picked out. I think Rand incorporated a lot of passion into the book between the characters and the emotions they were all feeling. This was a point in the book where the word “we” was used appropriately because she was talking about the union between her and Equality. When they shared that connection, the story came together cohesively. The defining differences in individuals and necessary unions were finally put into place. I also think it was romantic, too, because they both had the choice to become individuals after they escaped the society. However, they both chose to stay together and become a unit, which I think was a real sign of the love and devotion they had for each other. I have to admit that if I escaped from society, I probably would choose to do something that the society would not have allowed me to do. So I really admire the love the characters had, and I agree…the quote really does show a lot.
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