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Ayn Rand's Anthem attempts to introduce the reader to her philosophical thought within the pages of a science fiction novella. Reminiscent of Hu... (show more)
Anthem
Available for the first time in trade paperback--this provocative book is "an anthem sung in praise of man's ego"--from the legendary author Ayn Rand
Anthem has long been hailed as one of Ayn Rand's classic novels, and a clear predecessor to her later masterpieces, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. In Anthem, Rand examines a frightening future in which individuals have no name, no independence, and no values. Equality 7-2521 lives in the dark ages of the future where all decisions are m... (show more)
Available for the first time in trade paperback--this provocative book is "an anthem sung in praise of man's ego"--from the legendary author Ayn Rand
Anthem has long been hailed as one of Ayn Rand's classic novels, and a clear predecessor to her later masterpieces, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. In Anthem, Rand examines a frightening future in which individuals have no name, no independence, and no values. Equality 7-2521 lives in the dark ages of the future where all decisions are made by committee, all people live in collectives, and all traces of individualism have been wiped out. Despite such a restrictive environment, the spark of individual thought and freedom still burns in him--a passion which he has been taught to call sinful. In a purely egalitarian world, Equality 7-2521 dares to stand apart from the herd--to think and choose for himself, to discover electricity, and to love the woman of his choice. Now he has been marked for death for committing the ultimate sin. In a world where the great "we" reign supreme, he has rediscovered the lost and holy word--"I." (show less)
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Anthem is a novella in the distopia vein of literature, such as 1984 or Brave New World, but does not live up to the quality of those works, belabo... (show more)
Anthem is a novella in the distopia vein of literature, such as 1984 or Brave New World, but does not live up to the quality of those works, belaboured as it by her objectivist philosophy. There isn't much in the way of plot or character development, just a poor attempt at rendering philosophy into fiction.
Rand sets the collectivist stage right away by having the hero always refer to himself and others in the first person plural, nor does the hero have a unique name. The obvious point from the 1st chapter is that this is to reinforce the collective, no possessions, not even name, nothing which is distinguishing, such as his height, but then goes on to state the obvious in a later chapter.
Equality 7-2521 is unique, does productive work, and takes pride in his work (all of which corresponds to Rand's objectivist philosophy), in contrast to the collective (society has actually regressed in science - the newest invention is the candle) which insists on equal misery and the good of all men. Rand seems to have created a superman (her own Zarathustra), a figure who must overcome the irrational world and the irrational man - saved only by their pride and self-esteem - such as her hero in Anthem, Equality 7-2521, even though she is often critical of Nietzsche.
This was my first Ayn Rand fiction work, and I honestly can't figure out why Rand is so popular. (show less)
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Interesting philosophy that favours individualism over collectivism. Pretty much summed up by the following extended quote:
The word "We" is as lime poured over men, which sets and hardens to stone, and crushes all beneath it, and that which is white and that which is black are lose equally in the grey of it. It is the word by which the depraved steal the virtue off the good, by which the weak steal the might of the strong, by which the fools steal the wisdom of the sages.
Wh... (show more)
Interesting philosophy that favours individualism over collectivism. Pretty much summed up by the following extended quote:
The word "We" is as lime poured over men, which sets and hardens to stone, and crushes all beneath it, and that which is white and that which is black are lose equally in the grey of it. It is the word by which the depraved steal the virtue off the good, by which the weak steal the might of the strong, by which the fools steal the wisdom of the sages.
What is my joy if all hands, even the unclean, can reach into it? What is my wisdom, if even the fools can dictate to me? What is my freedom, if all creatures, even the botched and the impotent, are my masters? What is my life, if I am but to bow, to agree and to obey?
But I am done with this creed of corruption.
I am done with the monster of "We," the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood and shame." (show less)
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"Anthem" is and early work by Ayn Rand published 1936. It takes place a future in which humanity has digressed to a near-primitive society where the citizens are soulless, expressionless creatures carrying out mundane, state-ordered tasks day after meaningless day.
The people of this dystopian world have no sense of individuality or self-esteem "for all men must be alike". Even the words "I" and "me" have been long ago outlawed and forgotten. They we... (show more)"Anthem" is and early work by Ayn Rand published 1936. It takes place a future in which humanity has digressed to a near-primitive society where the citizens are soulless, expressionless creatures carrying out mundane, state-ordered tasks day after meaningless day.
The people of this dystopian world have no sense of individuality or self-esteem "for all men must be alike". Even the words "I" and "me" have been long ago outlawed and forgotten. They wear simple tunics and are given names like "Equality 7-2521" and "Union 5-3992". It is a community devoid of romantic love, only love for the state is permitted.
But Equality 7-2521 is different. He questions, though privately at first, for "it is a sin to think words no others think". His questions make him an outcast and send him on an adventure that will lead him to the forbidden word "I", self identity, love, and ultimately freedom.
It is a story that is not so much a prediction, but a warning. (show less)Already read
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Not of Orwellian standards in terms of presenting a dystopia, but a compelling read, nevertheless.
Hassaan Bin Shaheen about 1 month ago -
The Guilt of "I"
Do you ever find yourself feeling guilty for putting yourself first? Why? Are we steadily becoming a version of Anthem's world? How does our society reward that which is done for the good of mankind that causes suffering to the do-er? Should we continue to teach that the selfless is ideal whereas that which can be construed as selfish is to be damned?
These are just some of the things that I think about when reading Ayn Rand's work. In Anthem we are given a glimpse of a world that in all actuality could happen. I saw in the reviews that someone said "the unspeakable word should have been something like love." I contend that the unspeakable word WAS and IS love...love in its purest form. The identity of self, and therefore the ability to love only one other...to distinguish him/her from the herd...THAT was lost to Equality's world when the word became unspeakable.
Kelly Ridener about 1 year ago
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