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Ashley Binyard
Prof. King
English 1102
12 October 2011
Courage
Fear, hopelessness, and survival are some reasons why people choose not to speak out
against evil and wrongdoing. On the other hand, justice, equality, and freedom are some reasons
why people do act against the evils of society. Ayn Rand, author of Anthem, is known as a
“defender of freedom of thought and action” (Daniels 4). She writes in her novel Anthem, of a
man, Prometheus, who struggles to overcome the burden of fear and repression his society has
tried to place upon him; and his fight for individuality and freedom. Although many are frighten
by authority, others like Prometheus discover the courage and will power to speak out against
inequality and malicious behavior.
The short novel Anthem depicts a city structured by inequality and overuse of power by
authority. From birth each citizen in the City are imprinted with instructions on how to live their
lives. At a young age, children are taught to say “„We are nothing. Mankind is all. By the grace
of our brothers are we allowed our lives. We exist though, by and for our brothers who are the
State. Amen.‟” (Rand 4). This pledge simply means that their lives are not their own, but are part
of a group. The existence of individuality and personality are stripped away at age five.
The Council keeps the people quiet and under control by instilling fear and shame upon
them early in life. Before changing his name to Prometheus, Equality 7-2521 has always felt
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different from his fellow brothers. He believes he is cursed because he learns at a faster rate,
grows taller than his brothers and has a mind filled with questions and wonder. He speaks of his
characteristics as sins saying “there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone” (Rand
1). Because of his differences, Equality 7-2521 was “lashed more often than all other children”
by his teachers (Rand 5). The forceful power and verbal abuse used by authority had “[f]ear
walk[ing] through the City…all men feel it and none dare to speak” (Rand 18).
Once Equality 7-2521 “discovered” electricity in his secret tunnel is when his courage for
advancement and independence began to arise. Knowing that others have been “punished by
death in this world” Equality 7-2521 foolishly thinks his revelation would make him welcomed
to the higher powers (Rand 20). His bravery to speak to the Council about his “wrongdoings”
and his discovery is the breaking point between his confliction with being his own man and his
assigned ranking as a citizen of the City.
It is then, once Equality 7-2521 is completely alienated from his manufactured
community that he recognizes the true purpose that he is destined for. Equality 7-2521
disassociates his self as being part of a brotherhood, deciding that he was “done with the monster
of „We‟, the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood, and shame” (Rand 46). Giving
himself a new name, Prometheus finally feels confident in his self and his future. Prometheus
acknowledges the day would come when he would fight “[f]or the freedom of Man. For his
rights. For his life. For his honor” regardless of the consequences that could follow (Rand 50).
Prometheus newly found determination set him apart from the reserved, soundless men he once
called his brothers. The buildup of courage enabled Prometheus to speak out against the
discrimination and power that dominated the City.
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The structure of the community in Anthem can be compared to segregation in the 1950‟s
and slavery in the 1800‟s, where corruption and prejudice occurred daily. During those times, as
well as in Anthem, many stayed quiet and accepted those actions as a common routine. However,
there were a few people like Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman who strived for
progression and fairness like Prometheus.
Harriet Tubman is internationally known for being an Underground Railroad operator.
Born into slavery and being brutally beaten daily had “prepared Tubman for a life of activism”
(Williams 1585). Despite “slave holders offer[ing] a reward for forty thousand dollars for her
captured...” Tubman‟s courage helped her act out against slavery, helping lead herself and other
slaves to freedom (Williams 1584).
Martin Luther King Jr., was a great Civil Rights activist, significantly known for his
nonviolent protests and his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Dr. King‟s courage emerged
because he “saw segregation and racism as being in opposition to the laws of God” (Asante 196).
King‟s fearlessness, courage, and education allowed him to “led protests against all forms of
segregation” demanding a change for the better of mankind (Asante 196).
The decisions to stay mute or speak out against what is believed to be right or wrong are
all different for each individual. Courage in a person can be as small as trying a new food or
standing up to a bully. Nevertheless, courage can be as influential as rebelling against civilization
for equality, freedom and respect. Ayn Rands writes about the ability to have courage to stand up
for a person‟s ideas and independence because she was a strong believer “of selfishness [and] did
not want youth corrupted by [prejudice]” (Daniels 5). Prometheus‟ quality of mind and spirit
helped him face the injustice of the City without fear. Finally believing in his self, Prometheus
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designed a mission to educate his fellow men and fight for the right of living as “I” and no longer
as a “We”.
Work Cited
Asante, Molefi K. “Martin Luther King Jr.” 100 Greatest African Americans: A Biographical
Encyclopedia. Amherst: Prometheus Books, 2002. Print.
Daniels, Anthony. “Ayn Rand: Engineer of Souls.” New Criterion. 28.6 (2010): 4-5. Print
Rand, Ayn. Anthem. Project Gutenberg License, 2008. 1-50. eBook. www.gutenberg.org.
Williams, Michael W. “Tubman, Harriet.” The African American Encyclopedia. 6. North
Bellmore: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 1993. Print.