10.28.2007

Anthem

One of the key concepts of Ayn Rand's novel Anthem was the idea of creation. In this society, the people seem to have been thrust back into a modern Dark Ages, devoid of all the amenities, ideas, and philosophies our society currently has. But there is one man, the main character, who finds the means to create something that the rest of his society can no longer remember. He produces light. Using his basic human curiosity, this young man finds an underground entryway filled with tools and materials of the past, and he figures out ways in which to use them. After a period of experimentation, Equality discovers a chemical combination that creates a glow equivalent to that of the sun. It is with this light that Equality brings enlightenment to the dark ages. the light that is created symbolizes the knowledge and realization that independence can form within a person, and it shows that natural human curiosity cannot be destroyed.


My favorite passage from Anthem is:


"We say to ourselves that we are a wretch and a traitor. But we fell no burden upon our spirit and no fear in our heart. And it seems to us that our spirit is clear as a lake troubled by no eyes save those of the sun. And in our heart -- strange are the ways of evil! -- in our heart there is the first peace we have known in twenty years."


I love this passage because it is showing the discovery of oneself. People go through their lives striving for something, not always sure what that something is. Some people may never quite figure out their purpose, and they will go through life a turbulent spirit, feeling without a place and without a cause. The main character of Anthem finally is at peace with himself because he has figured out what he can od in life, and what his path may be. The self-actualization of this character is what every other person on this earth has strived for (or is still striving for). I found it very significant, not only to the character's life, but also to our own lives with its ins and outs.



I really enjoyed this novel, mainly because it uses a contrasting view on a Utopian society and structure. It goes against the usual view of futurisitic conformity, and puts a modern society back into the times of no electricity and no basic knowledge of everyday scientific processes. I think this perspective makes the novel more intriguing because it shows self-discovery in an entirely different light. Rather than discovering what he had forgotten about himself, Equality finally figures out who he is, and experiences an internal revolution.