Identity In Ayn Rand's Anthem

Words: 1365
Pages: 6

Statistics prove the mystery, thriller, and crime books are the most popular at 47% in the United States, manifesting how these type of books submerge readers into the story and make it impossible to escape (Truss 1). In Ayn Rand’s dystopian novel, Anthem, the audience is submerged into the story while the protagonist, Equality 7-2521, explores his world’s mysteries. It quickly becomes evident that it will be impossible for the reader to stop reading. Rand portrays a society that suppressed the need of identity. But without individualism, the society struggles to advance and the occupants of this world become weak and brittle. As the exploration continues, both as the plot progresses the main character and reader gain insight on this futuristic …show more content…
In this house, were multiple books that intrigued Equality 7-2521. He read them and learned more than he ever hoped. At the very start of chapter eleven, the audience can comprehend that something about Equality 7-2521 has changed. Equality 7-2521 states, “...It is my mind which thinks, and the judgement of my mind is the only searchlight that can find the truth. It is my will which chooses, and the choice of my will is the only edict I must respect” (Rand 94). The reader can assume that Equality 7-2521 has read the books from the past and have exchanged the words, “we” and “our”, for, “I’ and “my”. Throughout the story, Equality 7-2521 learns more about the mysteries of his society but he has learned the most from the books he attained after he ran away from his …show more content…
As the reader is sucked into the plot, they learn with Equality 7-2521 about his society and together they discover an answer. The answer did provide Equality 7-2521 with the eagerness to gain more knowledge and achieve more in one day than his society ever did. During this time, his old society was still not advancing and his brothers were diminishing. But, the mystery is the whole book while the answer is only known when the story is complete. So you tell me, considering the ending of this story, what is the significance of the knowledge gained while exploring the mystery of this novel and why is it more valuable than the