Anthem Analysis Essay How dare anyone question the laws and norms of society?

It may seem like a wasted effort to try and change the values of the public etched in the minds of its citizens; however, it may be done with willpower and determination of a strong individual. In the novel Anthem, author Ayn Rand creates such a character: Equality 7-2521. The story of Equality is a diverse and complex journey about a man who breaks the chains of society and conquers his freedom. Some compare his story to that of Adam, whom God created and forbade eating of the fruit on the tree in the center of the Garden of Eden. Equality and Adam both shared a common greed for the acquisition of knowledge through an object; after obtaining this object though, Adam felt guilt, while Equality felt proud despite criticism from his society. Equality and Adam desired to discover and learn of something greater than their own selves. Upon discovering ruins from the Unmentionable Times, a time before society, Equality pursued the secrets hidden in this underground structure despite inevitable punishment if discovered. In Equalitys journal he records: We have broken the laws. The law s say that men may not write unless the Council of Vocations bid them so. May we be forgiven! (Rand 17). This represents that Equality understood his wrong-doing, and with little respect for his government, he was disobedient anyway. Not unlike Equality, Adam dealt with the same temptations. Adam was tempted to eat the fruit of knowledge in the center of the garden. Adam knew everything of the world, so why shouldnt he crave the last piece of knowledge, the knowledge of God? God created the universe and even Adam himself; Adam surely knew that God would discover his sin. Adam did know this; due to his high level of respect and fear of God he did not question Gods commands. Like all men in society, he failed to resist the temptation of a certain individual.

Adam and Equality both experienced influences from a woman. Adam questioned the idea to defy God, but suffered temptation from Eve to do otherwise. Eve, the first woman, sedated to the temptation of a serpent, Satan, to defy Gods command and ate the fruit. She transferred this temptation to Adam; thus, together Adam and she challenged Gods authority and consumed the forbidden fruit together. Equality worked diligently to discover the secrets of the past on his own; however, he too was influenced by a woman- Liberty 5-3000. Liberty, a seed planter, acknowledged Equality as he swept the streets near her fields. Equality saw her as more beautiful than all other women and gave her the name Golden One. He wished to protect her and shield her from the vai n society they suffered in. He wanted to impress her above all other people; he wanted to her to acknowledge him as more developed than anyone else in the society despite these wishes being illegal. After many visits to her field, Equality and Liberty finally spoke. Equality says, You are beautiful Liberty 5-3000 (Rand 42). She later returns this compliment by giving him the name Unconquered. This name and acknowledgement boosted his pride greatly and encouraged him to continue his endeavors of enlightenment. Equality was now a proud individual; he was more intelligent than other men and appeared Unconquered by a beautiful woman. Equality felt pride in his discovery despite what society thought of him. Adam, on the other hand, felt remorse due to his actions. Upon eating the fruit of the garden Adam felt embarrassed and ashamed because of his nakedness. In reality he had been nude this entire time but failed to see any fault in it prior to consuming the fruit. And the heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8). When God came to speak with Adam, Eve and he hid from God. They refused to allow their creator to see them

naked; they believed in his ability to see through them and know that they had sinned. God already knew of their sins and called out for them to meet him face to face. Adam, ashamed, accepted the punishment of God; he resisted the urge to flee and was not proud. God clothed, expelled, and gave the burden of work for him and all of mankind to bear. Equality also suffered a heavy burden; he braved the task of revolutionizing the world and his people. Equality discovered the power of electricity and invented a box that emitted light brighter than a candle, no doubt similar to the light bulb, and he planned to show his invention to the Council of Scholars. Equality unaware of the scientists reactions to his sudden knowledge of the heavens hoped to revolutionize society. He hopes for their embraces of his intellect and for them to allow him to work with the Council to improve technology even more. Upon presenting his device to the Scholars, they rejected it, claiming that anything created alone must be evil. The Council suggested that the Council of Vocations sentence him death for his avarice and that his invention be destroyed. He pleaded with them to accept his knowledge regardless of his life; however, when the scholars refused, he escaped the city with his creation. He did not care of his life or his society; he swelled with pride of his knowledge despite being condemned by his authorities. We fell but we never let the box fall from our hands. (Rand 75). Equality and Adam both desired knowledge held by greater powers than themselves. They took the intuition to discover these secrets along with the influences of women; however, ultimately they experienced different feelings after their discoveries. Adam felt shame for the sin he committed and accepted his fate whereas Equality embraced his knowledge and jeopardized his life to protect it. He fled from society to live with his knowledge and create a new life with Liberty. He refused to accept the rules of society and broke the chains mankind bound him to. He

sparked the hunger for freedom and liberated himself through knowledge of the past. He accomplished all of this without shame and with complete and absolute pride.