Essay Database

Anthem deals with a future primitive society in which the forbidden word "I" has been replaced by the word "We". Anthem's theme seems to be about the meaning and glory of man's ego. In this novel, Rand shows that the individualism needed for building a complex technological civilization has been suppressed by collectivism. Rand glorifies man's individual ability to think, and appeals to emotion. The emotion is displayed at various times throughout the story; the …

…and dullest ones among them." Once free from their restrictive society, they rediscover the knowledge of the Unmentionable times, they discover the self and free will. Ayn Rand's novel Anthem shows intense emotion. The story takes place in a futuristic world of collectivism where the word "I" has been forgotten. The achievements of the past have been lost until one man feels his emotions and acts upon them. Emotions are the key to the story.