Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem is about a man, Equality – 72521, and his struggle to break free from the rule of a dystopian society.  He is one of the few people in his society with the heart and determination to be an individual.  Just because Equality decides to do something for himself does not make him selfish.  Rebellion often occurs when people are forced to conform to a society’s ideals.  It is possible to create a life that brings happiness by not allowing others to sway your personal beliefs.  If you achieve goals for the sole reason that others want you to achieve them, then you are working for the wrong reasons.

It is not always selfish to do something for your own reasons.  Equality shows this when he states that “The glass box in our arms is like a living heart that gives us strength.  We have lied to ourselves. We have not built this box for the good of our brothers” (Rand 76) Even though he did not build the box for the other members of the community, the box is what kept him sane.  He would go through the day knowing that he would be able to meet his beloved box again.   As an objectivist, Ayn Rand believes that “love is the essence of a healthy loving trade” (Bissell 1).  The light in the box is giving Equality something for which to live and dream.  Equality gives the light a chance to once again glow as it had so many years in the past.  Equality built the box “for its own sake” (Rand 76).  He wishes to unleash its great power into the world.  Equality does not wish to force anyone to do anything that they do not want to do.  Equality says, “I ask none to live for me, nor do I live for any others,” showing that he only gives what he receives (Rand 96).  Just because Equality accomplishes certain tasks for himself does not mean that he doing them for selfish reasons.

When confined to one routine and forced to conform to the ways of others, rebellion often occurs.  When people are forced into a “we are nothing. Mankind is all.” society, some people begin to wonder why everyone must be the same (Rand 21).  It is a person’s natural instinct to question why things are done.  Ayn Rand believes that “objectivism holds that all knowledge comes through the rational interpretation of the senses by an individual, for that individual” (Thomas “Objectivism and Individuals” 1).  Equality’s senses informed him that there was something more than the dystopian society he lived in.  He sensed that what was going on around him could not be the only way to live.  When he says, “I wish to know the meaning of things. I am the meaning of things.” he realizes that it is himself as an individual that allowed to discover his new life (Rand 94).  Equality had always known that he was different.  He was asked, “How dare you think your mind held greater wisdom that the minds of your brothers” (Rand 71).  When he was told this he knew that he was capable of achieving far greater goals than what he was limited to.  Equality’s individuality gives him the courage and confidence to rebel against his society.

By not allowing others to sway your personal beliefs, it is possible to create a life that brings happiness.  Throughout the novel, Equality – 72521 is told that “what is not done collectively can not be good” (Rand 73).  He disregarded these sayings.  He had no choice but to go against the mold.  Equality wanted to live a happier life.  Objectivism in relation to Equality says that “Each person has within him the ability to live a rich, fulfilling, and independent life” (Thomas “What is Objectivism” 1).  Equality chooses to not listen to what he has been taught, and tries to make a better life.  Equality says that he “owes nothing to his brothers, nor does he gather debts from them” (Rand 96).  He has not listened to what his brothers have told him, so therefore he feels that they only played a part in holding him back from happiness.  A person should not allow his temple to be touched or defiled (Rand 96).  A man should be the judge of what he is influenced by.  He will reach happiness by allowing himself to make his own decisions.

Equality exhibited great traits of individualism in the novel. He proved that you can beak the mold and find happiness.  Those things he did for himself were not always for selfish reasons.  It is not selfish to try and better your life.  After being forced to conform to what a society demands that you do, rebellion will occur.  A happier life can be reached by making your own decisions and not allowing others to sway your opinion.  When you strive for goals because other people want you to and not for yourself, you are not achieving these goals for the right reasons.

Works Cited

Bissell, Andrew. “Love.” Atlas Society. 06 Jun 2004. Atlas. 27 Oct 2008    

Rand, Ayn. Anthem. New York: Signet 1961

Thomas, William. “Objectivism and Individualism.” Atlas Society.  07 Feb 2002. Atlas. 27 Oct 2008 http://atlassociety.org

Thomas, William. “What is Objectivism.” Atlas Society.  02 Feb 2002. Atlas. 27 Oct 2008 http://atlassociety.org