What’s Anthem About?
Anthem by Ayn Rand is a dystopian novella set far in the future where collectivism has removed individualism from the world. The society is one where the concept of “I”, that is to say individual identity, is forbidden and everyone refers to themselves in the plural “we”. Equality 7-2521 lives in this enforced conformity state, and as a young man, he finds himself questioning with a burning curiosity. He is assigned not to the Council of Scholars, but to be a Street Sweeper. Equality 7-2521 stumbles upon an ancient tunnel from the Unmentionable Times, and begins conducting experiments until he rediscovers electricity. His acts of self-discovery lead him to question the societal norms he’s been taught.
During this time, he builds a forbidden bond with Liberty 5-3000, a young woman who tends the fields he dubs as “The Golden One.” Their Transgression of Preference doesn’t deter them as they grow to love one another. When he’s caught due to being tardy as he focused on his experiments, Equality 7-2521 escapes and grabs his light box to the World Council of Scholars, hoping to benefit mankind. He is met with rejection and flees until he finds himself in the Uncharted Forest. Liberty 5-3000 joins him, they rename themselves Prometheus and Gaea, and start building a society based on individual freedom and love after Equality—or rather Prometheus—realizes the power of the word “I”.
Top Thoughts? (What Craig Liked/Didn’t Like)
I liked the how well the world was built even with the short amount of world building Rand uses. The dichotomy between extreme individualism and collectivism is a great one to explore. For those who’ve read The Time Machine by H.G. Wells will see a similar theme and after reading that novella, I find Anthem to be a great contrast to Wells’ vision. Every page has some small aspect of the society that builds the dystopia Rand is fearful of.
I don’t like how short this story is. For those that know about Rand’s other work, she tends to be long winded and so this is a breath of fresh air in a way. However, it’s a lot like The Giver, where we don’t get more than a singular city and story, and it’s very brief. And maybe that’s what I don’t like, I want more from this story, like twice as much, and think it would really flesh things out.
Some things I’ll be discussing in the full-length podcast:
Individualism vs. Collectivism
Pursuit of Knowledge (asking questions)
Freedom and the Discovery of Self
My love and knowledge of Ayn Rand literature
Want to know what we’re up to next for this podcast to read ahead?
February: The Emperors Soul by Brandon Sanderson
March: Lost Horizon by James Hilton
Questions & Conversation Starters:
In no particular order (reference pages may vary by edition), let us know what you think in the comments section on any/all topics and questions!
What is an anthem? What do you think about the pledges? Are they “anthems”?
Words in marble at the Palace of the World Council: “We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great we, One, indivisible and forever.”
Pledge for students: “We are nothing. Mankind is all. By the grace of our brothers are we allowed our lives. We exist through, by and for our brothers who are the State. Amen.”
The main character, Equality, sees his thoughts as a curse, they whisper to him to ask questions, explore; to go and find answers. But he’s not allowed unless the Council of Vocations tells him he can.
When the council gives him his job “Street Sweeper”, he finds himself happy. He was guilty and he could atone for it! How long does that last?
The greatest Transgression of Preference—to love any among men better than others. This sounds like… a direct contrast to all of human history, who thought that was a good idea?
The main character realizes his body is too happy and healthy and the Council of Home is suspicious. Equality is glad to be alive. Is this a virtue or a vice? Can one do evil or bad things and feel alive too? Is equality feeling the thrill of breaking rules?
We are told of the Saint of the Pyre, and that he knows the Unspeakable Word. Did you have any guesses what that word was?
After Equality escapes, he gets his light box and barges in on the World Council of Scholars, the same council (decades upon decades before) that discovered the candle, and Equality explains his light box. What does the Council do? Scold him of course!
“Do all your brothers think that? What is not thought by all men cannot be true. You have work on this alone? When the majority of brother Scholars vote against strange new ideas, they are abandoned, as all men must when it’s not agreed upon.
Could you imagine a society, a tribe or small group, that cannot do anything without the majority of the group agreeing? What about everyone in the society having to think and understand it?
We finally get a description of Equality, for this is the first time he’s seen himself in the Uncharted Forest. He finds a tall, strong, body in the watery mirror.
“We love you… No, that is not what we wished to say.”
What do you do when you can’t think of a word to describe something you feel strongly about?
Equality and Liberty find a home and marvel at the size and the fact there’s only 2 beds, a plethora of clothes and books. Do you think people from 200 or 500 years ago would feel the same way seeing an empty home for a middle-class couple or family?
Equality finally discovers the word I and what it means to him after reading books in his new home. What does the word “I” mean for you?
They rename themselves. Why does he choose Prometheus and Gaea? Why does Gaea, or The Golden One, go along with it and not choose another name?
The worship of the word “we.” Is this word really a disaster? Is this really the dangerous word Prometheus portends it to be?
Prometheus tells us he plans to free the people from cities of enslavement, and his home will become a new capital for the world where everyone can exist for his own sake. Is he becoming power hungry? Is he blinded by his revelation?
Can you tell Emergence was influenced by Ayn Rand? I was reading her catalog of books just before writing my own after all.
Standout Lines:
“It matters only that the light is precious and we should not waste it to write when we need it for that work which is our crime. Nothing matters save the work, our secret, our evil, our precious work.”
“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. That and nothing else.”
Top Books We’re Thinking About Next:
Animal Farm by George Orwell is a novel that falls under the genre of Political Satire. It's a clever and insightful allegory about the rise of Soviet communism.
When Mockingbirds Sing by Billy Coffey is a novel that falls under the genre of Supernatural Fiction. It's a story of a young girl with a special gift and the mysterious events that surround her.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig is a novel that falls under the genre of Philosophical Fiction. It's a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of quality the meaning of life.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is a novel that falls under the genre of Adventure Fiction. It's a classic story about a boy who discovers a treasure map and sets out on a quest.
(added by listener request) What If the Constitution Was Never Ratified? By Chuck DeVore
TBD – Send us recommendations by commenting!
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Season 2 Book List:
September:How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps by Andrew Roweis a novel that falls under the genre of Fantasy. It's a humorous story about a group of adventurers who set out to defeat a demon king.October:Shadow of the Hegemon by OSCNovember: The Time Machine by H.G. WellsThe Time Machine by H.G. Wells is a classic novel that falls under the genre of Science Fiction. It's the story of a scientist who invents a time machine and travels to the future.
December:Emergence (by me! Craig T. Stewart)interview with a special guest!
January:Anthem by Ayn Rand
February: The Emperors Soul by Brandon Sanderson
March: Lost Horizon by James Hilton
TBD – Send us recommendations by commenting! (May)
TBD – Send us recommendations by commenting! (June)
TBD – Send us recommendations by commenting! (July)
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