Dystopian Society In Ayn Rand's Anthem

Anthem is a book about a dystopian society, where people are taught not to express their individuality. Ayn Rand, a Russian writer, wrote this novella in 1936. She grew up in the communist regime of Russia during this period. This book was written as a way to criticize the communist ideology, in which she did not believe. Communism is a system of government where all men are considered equal; they are paid according to their abilities and there are no social classes. It is based on Marxism, which is a dystopian society much like the one in Anthem. The leaders in Anthem aim to destroy people’s minds by limiting their knowledge, setting strict rules and teaching them that there is no “I” only “we”.
Their knowledge was limited and they controlled what they learned since they were born. “But we loved the Science of Things. We wished to know. We wished to know about all the things, which make the earth around us. We asked so many questions that the Teachers forbade it” (p 18; Ch. 1). The leaders did not allow them to have thoughts of their own, so people would not know more than they did, and eventually rebel against them. The leaders set harsh rules and consequences for doing something they were …show more content…
He was distinctive because he started thinking for himself and he wanted to learn, something that was forbidden. After he discovered learning he could not be blinded, he was determined to be part of the council just to learn more. He dared to think on his own, to have ideas that he was not allowed to have, and to act against his community. He dared to step out of the mold everyone had to be. The men of authority tried to make themselves seem frightening, but they did not intimidate Equality. To show his individuality he changed his name, something that was strictly prohibited because it defies collectivism. He named himself Prometheus; which in Greek mythology is the protector and supporter of

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