Name ______________________________ Block ______
Reading Guide: Anthem by Ayn Rand
Cite page numbers for all answers. No page #s = no credit.
Chapter 1
1. In order to determine the setting of this novella, list what you learn about the following
throughout chapter one:
a. the government
b. the laws
c. technology
d. education
e. living arrangements
f. careers
g. life expectancy
Chapter 1 - continued
2. Explain the use of pronouns.
3. Describe the protagonist:
a. physically
b. based on his actions
c. mentally
4. Provide your theory of what the Great Rebirth (18) is:
5. Provide your theory of what the Unmentionable Times (19) are, include evidence:
6. What is the Great Truth? Quote it and then paraphrase it.
7. What pledge do they say in school? Paraphrase it.
8. How does this compare to the pledge we say in our schools (Pledge of Allegiance)?
Chapter 1 - continued
9. Describe the protagonist as a student. How would he be treated at MHS?
10. What is a Transgression of Preference (22)? Why would this be illegal?
11. What hymns do they sing? What is a hymn?
12. What does he mean by his “cursed wish to know” (29)?
13. Why is it “evil” to be a friend?
14. What do you think the tunnel is? Support your answer with textual evidence.
15. Why does the protagonist feel his “first peace” (37)?
16. Now return to question #1 - based on your notes, what is the setting of the novel?
Chapter 2
1. What character traits does the brief description of Liberty 5-3000 reveal?
2. What nickname does he give Liberty 5-3000? Why?
3. Why would children be born as they are in this society?
4. Why doesn’t Equality 7-2521 understand why he thinks of the Palace of Mating when he is
speaking to Liberty 5-3000?
5. Why is fear pervasive in this society? What is Equality 7-2521’s evidence of this fear?
6. What might the Uncharted Forest represent?
7. What was the Script Fire?
8. What is your theory on what the Unmentionable Word is? Why would speaking it be
punishable by death?
Chapter 2 - continued
9. How exactly was the Transgressor of the Unspeakable Word punished?
10. What message does Equality 7-2521 take from the Transgressor?
11. Why does he call him both a Transgressor and a Saint?
Chapter 3
1. Why would the Council of Scholars say “the things which are not known by all do not
exist”?
2. What is your theory of what Equality 7-2521 has discovered in the tunnel? Support with
textual evidence.
Chapter 4
1. What nickname does Liberty 5-3000 give Equality 7-2521?
2. Is this a good nickname for him? Why/why not?
Chapter 5
1. What is the glass box?
Chapter 5 - continued
2. Why does he call it a gift?
3. What is Equality 7-2521’s plan? Is it realistic? Explain.
4. Why do you think he wants to know what he looks like? Why would this be forbidden in this
society?
Chapter 6
1. What does Equality 7-2521 withstand to protect his secret?
2. How does he escape? Why is that possible?
3. Does he care about the scars on his back? Why/why not?
4. Has he changed his plan at all?
Chapter 7
1. Is Equality 7-2521 where you expect him to be at the opening of this chapter? Where is he?
Chapter 7 - continued
2. Explain: “We are old now, yet we were young this morning” (68).
(You will have to read ahead and return.)
3. What is the significance of the painting on the wall?
4. How does Equality 7-2521 get the attention of the scholars?
5. What does he want to happen with his gift?
6. How do the scholars respond to his actions?
7. How do they respond to his invention?
8. How long did it take to get the candle approved? Why?
9. Why do they object to easing the work of men?
10. How does Equality 7-2521 react physically and emotionally? Be specific.
Chapter 8
1. Why does Equality 7-2521 laugh?
2. What is new to Equality in this chapter?
Chapter 9
1. Explain: “We wish to be damned with you, rather than blessed with all our brothers” (83).
2. Explain: “We are learning to doubt” (86).
3. What does the Golden One want to say?
Chapter 10
1. What do they find?
Their description
Your description
Their reaction
“white fire” (88)
sun on glass windows
Initially fear (they stopped) but
then they saw it was not moving
Chapter 10 - 1. continued
Their description
Your description
Chapter 11
1. “This is the answer” (94).
2. What is the question?
3. What is the answer?
4. What revelations come with this answer?
5. What are his new resolutions?
Their reaction
Chapter 11 - continued
6. What is the “creed of corruption” (97)?
7. What is the new God? What are the risks of this?
Chapter 12
1. What are their new names? How are they fitting?
2. What are his new goals?
3. a. What does he plan to carve above this door?
b. Compare this to a similar carving referred to on page 19.