Topic > The Rise of Equality from Zero to Hero in Ayn Rand's "Anthem"

Imagine a world where everything and everyone is equal, a world where there is no freedom to have your own visions or live your own decisions. This is the cruel reality of Equality. Anthem is a dystopian novel written by Ayn Rand that teaches the importance of individuality and self-deficiency. “Simple” It is set in a distant future where humanity seems to have entered a dark age. When a man called Equality breaks the most forbidden law. Equality begins as guilty, but after a phase of desperation, she becomes confident, which reflects Rand's message about individuality. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay At the beginning of Anthem, Equality is a guilty and curious character. He is talking to himself in a cave saying “…there is no blacker transgression than to do or think alone…that we may be forgiven.” The guilt of equality emerges through Rand's diction. Equality's choice of the words “transgression” and “forgiven” indicates a sense of guilt so profound that it is almost a religious experience. Furthermore, his images describing his sins as “black” show the deep desolation he has in his soul. Furthermore, Equality is curious. While Equality was finishing work as a street sweeper, he discovers a tunnel. Trying to get International to come in, he says, “'Let's get out,' we told International 4-8818... 'It's forbidden,' they said... But we said, 'We'll go anyway.'” Readers can easily recognize Equality's curiosity in this part of the text because International's use of a short and direct response indicates a sense of urgency and concern towards Equality's decision to go against the law. Furthermore, Equality's repetition of the words “we will go” indicated his determination as well as a small sense of rebellion against the council's rules. Instead of walking away from this new discovery, Equality ignores all the rules and goes to explore the tunnel. Creating Equality with guilt and curiosity at the beginning of the novel is paving the way for Equality to transform into an individual and break the barrier that is his society. As Equality develops, he begins to display traits of desperation and protectiveness. As Equality reflects on his childhood, he realizes that he has always been different. Fearing this fact, he says, "We are born with a curse... we know we are evil, but there is no will in us and no power to resist it." Readers can easily recognize Equality's desperation in this part of the text because Equality's choice of the words “curse” and “evil” to describe his differences indicates a deep sense of desperation. Plus, he's miserable enough to say “there's no will in us,” as if he's given up and accepted the fact that maybe he'll never be like everyone else. Furthermore, Equality is protective. Equality is sitting alone in the tunnel when he discovers the power of electricity. “Complex” Fearful that the council will take it away from him, Equality says: “Now let's get whipped for it if necessary.” In difficult times, Equality became tenacious and dedicated himself completely to keeping his discovery safe from anyone who might take it away from him. Furthermore, Equality even goes so far as to say "let us whip you", indicating that he is willing to be punished if it means his discovery can be protected. Equality develops traits of desperation and protectiveness may reflect how even in a society where all hope for a future is lost, Equality is still willing to protect everything it holds dear when it arrives,.