Anthem Essay
1.)Contrast Equality's view of morality at the end of the novel to the morality exemplified by his
society's institutions, practices, and officials. Making His Own Anthem
In today's world, it is expected of citizens to strive for great success. In relation to the novel Anthem by
Ayn Rand, Equality has the same desires of a current man. Equality wants himself, his peers, and his
whole society to be productive. On the other hand, Equality's society is afraid of change. Equality and
Equality's society have very different opinions when it comes to morality.
Morality in my own sense of the word means, “ Knowing the difference between what is ethically
good/right or bad/wrong.” One of the areas in which Equalityfelt his society could progress was science.
On pages 23 and 24 in Anthem, Equality states, “ We could ask questions of these,( The Earth's features
like Rivers, Sand, etc.) for they do not forbid questions.” This quote shows that Equality believes that
asking questions and learning about the Earth will be positive for his society. Equality views questioning
positively, but his society discourages it. There is a good example of this when Equality questions the
science of how to produce light. Pages 68-75 are about how Equality views his invention (Otherwise
referred to as his box) like a gift and The Council threatens him because Equality has went against the
way of life they feel is morally correct. Although Equality has good intentions, the leaders of his society
are unwilling to accept that there way of life is wrong. Even at the beginning of Anthem, Equalityand his
society had drastically different ideals of morality. At the end of Anthem, Equality gets to create his own
lifestyle and his own rules. The last two chapters in the book speak only of what choices Equality makes.
For instance, Equality chooses who he wants to spend the rest of his life with. He gets to pick his own
name. He even begins to speak as if a individual is important. Equality speaks with I and Me, doing so
gives him an EGO. These are all sins in Equality's old society. EGO is actually a forbidden word in the
society, but it is the word with which Equality starts his new life upon.
Equality does not die before the story ends. In fact, a cliffhanger or a hint towards the future is left on
page 100 where the book says, “Our son will be raised as a man. He will be taught to say “I” and to bear
the pride of it.” These words mean Equality will keep making his own morality. He will raise his own family
and I believe Equality will inspire his offspring to do has he did. I feel Equality will always life live to the
beat of his own Anthem.