Ayn Rand
and
Anthem
Ayn Rand 1905-1982
Born in Russia, educated
under communists
Escaped 1926 to
America b/c it
represented her
individualist philosophy
Anthem

(1938)
This novelette depicts a
world of the future, a
society so collectivized
that even the word "I"
has vanished from the
language. Anthem's
theme is: the meaning
and glory of man's
ego.
Anthem


Written in 1937 as a
novelette about the
essence of collectivism
Published in England in
1938, America in 1946
Theme

“It is a sin to write this. It
is a sin to think words no
others think and put
them down upon paper
no others are to see…
there is no transgression
blacker than to do or
think alone.”
Theme


This quote begins Anthem
which according to Rand
expresses the meaning of
man’s ego.
The story is about an
individual imprisoned in the
collective; how it can
happen; what ideas one
must accept for it to be
possible.
Theme

It is both depressing as
it represents people in
such a society and it is
hopeful in the triumph
of the human spirit for
those who are brave
enough to reject the
ethics of collectivism,
no matter the cost.
Philosophical Concepts
Collectivism
vs.
Individualism
Collectivism





The subjugation of the individual to a group –
whether to a race, class, or state does not matter
All thought and action must be “for the common
good”
The individual has no right to lead his own life
The individual has no right to pursue his own
happiness, or use his own property
An individual’s worth is determined by his service
to the group
Individualism




Every man is an independent,
sovereign entity who possesses an
inalienable right to his own life.
A civilized society can only be
achieved on the basis of the
recognition of individual rights.
Groups possess no right separate
from the individual members.
Individualism does not mean one
can do whatever he feels like
doing; it means every man is an
individual and has the same rights.
Selflessness





Defined as “Lack of Self”
No one has a name
No one should prefer one
person over another
It is wrong to disagree, to
question, to have independent
thought
Individual has no rights
Selflessness



Without self one must abstain from
thinking and simply obey the leaders
When individual identity and thought
are obliterated, a society of mindless
robots with no motivation, no ambition,
no hope emerges.
Nothing is created because there is no
room for creativity.
Egoism



Defined as “being concerned
with one’s own interests”
Each man’s primary moral
obligation is to achieve his
own welfare, well-being, or
self-interest.
Man should be “selfish” in
the sense of being the
beneficiary of his own moral
actions.
Egoism

For example:
Having Ambition
Wanting
things for one’s
self
Wanting to learn
Wanting a career that
makes you happy
Thinking for one’s self
Loving another person of
choice
Conformity

The act or habit of bringing oneself
into harmony or agreement with
others; adhering to conventional
behavior.
Independence

Acceptance of the responsibility of
forming one’s own judgments and
living by the work of one’s own
mind.
Free Will
vs.
Determinism
Free Will

Advocates that people
can make choices,
can make up their own
minds,
can direct their own lives
by the ideas and values
they adopt
Determinism
Advocates that people are
by nature in the grip of
forces beyond their control
 For example: Race, the
Stars, Instincts

ANTHEM & Free Will
The story shows what it
means to have Free Will
 They are Robots by
CHOICE
 The Protagonist will
exercise his free will by
making a different choice

Setting/Point of View

Romantic Realism
 The
story is REALIST because these
are REAL PROBLEMS of normal
people (Not monsters, superheroes,
or robots)
 The story is Romantic b/c it is not
about every day trivia or the boy next
door
 It is instead about the “fundamental
universal problems and values of
human existence.”
 Romanticism contrasts with
Naturalism which holds that people
are crushed by forces over which
they have NO CONTROL (FATE)
Setting/Point of View




Point of View First Person Plural
(“We instead of “I”)
Story begins in the distant future
Protagonist is in the late teens or
early twenties
Totalitarian Society –
Government controls every
aspect of every individual’s life
from cradle to grave.



Expectation is to expend
one’s life for the needs
of the society, never a
moment for one’s self.
If one’s usefulness is
gone, he is a burden
and should not live.
Because no one has
personal desires, the
authorities need no
threats or force to rule.



Anyone who doubts his
society feels guilty about
doubting.
The society has no
industry or technology.
The protagonist
struggles to understand
(man vs. society).
Sequence of the Life in
Anthem Society





Each is conceived in the Palace of Mating
Young years are spent in the Home of
Infants
Formative years are lived in the Home of
Students
After being assigned a vocation,
individuals are placed in special homes
according to vocation
Old Age is spent in the Home of the
Useless