The Theme of Ego in the Novel Anthem by Ayn Rand

Anthem Essay

Anthem's theme is, in Ayn Rand's own words, "the meaning of man's ego." Anthem is a dystopian literature novel that takes place in the future during a time when human beings have entered another dark age. During this time, the individuality concept is eliminated and advancements ecmorosyis carefuny planned people have lost all knowledge of like 'I' or 'mine.' In this novel, Equality 7- 2521 tells his own life story up to that time. Even though he is raised just like the other children in collective settlements, he later realizes that he was born with a 'curse' that contributes to him having the ability to learn very fast and keep asking so many questions. Even though he had significant aspirations of becoming a scholar, the council of Vocations assigns him to become a Street Sweeper. In the novel, the word ego signifies that compared to the collective. In addition, it implies that one is the appropriate beneficiary of one's actions. There are different ways in which the characters and the plot in Anthem illustrate the theme of ego. To begin with, the theme of ego is seen from the initial expectations of Equality 7-2521 He wants to be a scholar and scientist from the start even though it is clear that he has no enough qualifications.

Equality 7-2521 thinks he has "curse", where he is smarter and can think quicker than any of his brothers. He is clued to becoming a scientist regardless of the society having other learned people compared to him. He is not ready to take what the society has already thrown to him, where he is more qualified but instead he keeps yearning for more. Secondly, the theme of ego is illustrated when Equality 7-2521 seems not contended with the job assigned to him by the Council of Vocations. Even though he receives the sweeping job as a transgression of preference, he is determined to move from the society. While in his job, he finds a tunnel that seems to be an opening to his next opportunity. Regardless of the global protests against any form of exploration, he enters the tunnel and realizes thar it contains metal tracks. He starts sneaking away from his society and uses the tunnel for scientific experiments. He also steals papers to use while still inside the tunnel. Another instance of ego is when Equality 7-2521 wants to look for a wife of his own instead of waiting for a wife to be assigned to him during the annual Time of Mating.

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While cleaning a road at the city, he meets Liberty 5-3000 a peasant girl working in the fields. After the meeting, Equality never stops thinking about her and he brands her "The Golden One". At one point, he talks to her and realizes that the girl too loves him. Equality also realizes that the girl had branded him "The Unconquered". According to the novel, after he presents his discovery to the Council of Scholars and is rejected with an order for the discovery to be destroyed, he flees to the forest. To his surprise, "The Golden One" joins him in the forest and the two express their love for each other. In this case, there is another form of ego when the two change their names as an expression for the freedom they have attained. This is a form of rebellion from the society and is seen as another form of ego. In conclusion, there are many instances of ego represented by Equality 7-2521.

The most significant instance of ego is when he plans to run away from his community. For a long time, he has continued to go against the collective demands of the society and he is focusing towards his individual life. This in itself is a form of ego. Therefore, the characters and plot of the novel can illustrate the theme of ego.

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