Equality 7 Anthem Research Paper

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Pages: 4

Anthem Essay
Is it a sin to be selfish and want freedom? A sin is defined as an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. In the bible it states “It is for freedom that God has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). These few sentences from the bible talk about how God has set us free and broke the chains of slavery ergo everyone is equivalent, in that everyone is equal in God’s eyes. In the novella, Equality 7-2521 was stripped of his freedoms. The author, Ayn Rand, develops the theme of sin through the character Equality 7-2521’s actions of freedom and selfishness. Everyone has the right of freedom. Equality 7-2521 feels that being an individual is freedom, because other men threaten to take that freedom from him. Freedom from others and being an individual is the most important kind of freedom. Equality 7-2521 questions what freedom is, and gives his own definition of freedom. In the novella Equality 7-2521 states, “But what is freedom? Freedom from what? There is nothing to take a man’s freedom away from him, save other men. To be free, a man must be free of his brothers. That is freedom and nothing else” (Rand, 101). In Equality 7-2521’s eyes freedom is to be alone and able to do what you please without the disturbance and rejection of others. “At first, man was enslaved by the gods. But he broke their
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Equality 7-2521 was told that thinking of himself and not thinking about the good of his brothers was a horrible sin. However, Equality 7-2521 was trying to assist his brothers by breaking free of society. Yet Equality 7-2521 saw how his talents were being wasted and that he had a better purpose than sweeping the streets. Equality 7-2521 broke free from this idea of a utopian society, found freedom, and learned how to be