ID: 2012-2-2-76190. Anthem, written by Ayn Rand is truly a complex book.

The book begins with a young exceptional youth named Equality 7-2521. Equality 7-2521 does not view himself as an individual, a fact proven by his use of we instead of I. As the book goes on he begins to question why he is so different from the world around him. He begins to question the very essence of his existence. This yearning to understand his purpose is classified as existentialism. Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts. In Anthem, Equality 7-2521 endlessly searches for the significance of his existence. While on his journey to find himself Equality 7-2521 discovers electricity. When he brings it before the council his discovery is threatened to be destroyed. At this time Equality 7-2521 finally understands that his purpose for living is not to serve his society, that his society is what hinders his growth as an individual and that his society is not worthy of a discovery so prodigious. Equality 7-2521 realizes his purpose for living is not to serve his society when the Council threatens to destroy his invention because if that was his purpose the council would have acknowledged his discovery. Ayn Rand writes We seized our box, we shoved them aside, and we ran to the window. We turned and we looked at them for the last time, and a rage, such as it is not fit for humans to know, choked our voice in our throat. "You fools!" we cried. "You fools! You thrice-damned fools!" (Ayn Rand 74-75) This quote shows how livid Equality 7-2521 was when he realized that the council did not appreciate his discovery. Equality 7-2521 is irate with the council for their imprudence. At this moment Equality 7-2521 realizes that he must get away from the council so that he can accomplish his purpose in life. Ayn Rand writes Only 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. We built it for its own sake (Rand 76). Equality 7-2521 has finally realized that his discovery of the light bulb was for him to continue living. This quote proves that Equality 7-2521 now understands that he must always defend this glass box, for it is this glass box which continues to keep his heart beating. Equality 7-2521 understands that his society is what is impeding his growth as an individual when the council rejects his discovery. Ayn Rand writes We knew not where we were going. We knew only that we must run, run to the end of the world, to the end of our days. This quote shows that Equality 7-2521 now understands that if he is to truly understand his existence he must get away from his society. His society is not ready for a discovery of this gratitude much less an individual person with this much potential. Ayn Rand writes Only we wished to be away, away from the City and from the air that touches upon the air of the City. (Rand 76)This quote shows how severely Equality 7-2521 desired to get away from the city. Not only does he wish to leave the city but he wishes to leave the very air that touches the city. Separating one air from another is impossible but this is the extent of anxiousness that Equality 7-2521 is feeling. He needs to get away and he needs to do it fast. He cannot tolerate spending another day, another night, another second being inhibited by his society. When the council threatens to destroy this discovery of electricity Equality 7-2521 realizes that his society is not worthy of a discovery so great. Ayn Rand writes "We give you the power of the sky!" we cried. We give you the key to the earth! Take it, and let us be one of you, the humblest among you. Let us all work together, and harness this power, and make it ease the toil of men. Let us throw away our candles and our torches. Let us flood our cities with light. Let us bring a new light to men! But they looked upon us, and suddenly we were afraid. For

their eyes were still, and small, and evil. Our brothers!" we cried. "Have you nothing to say to us?" (Rand 71) This quote shows that Equality 7-2521 has now realized that the council does not truly understand his discovery. The sensory details in this quote show that Equality 7-2521 is screaming at the Council urging them to understand the greatness of this light. However after explaining these things Equality 7-2521 realizes that the council is petrified of the discovery. Ayn Rand writes It is above all our brothers to us, and its truth above their truth. (Rand 76). Equality 7-2521 has finally realized that his society does not fully grasp the greatness of his discovery. His society does not deserve the discovery of electricity because it is above their capability to understand. When the Council threatens to destroy Equality 7-2521 s discovery he finally realizes that he does not only live to serve his society , that his society is what hinders his evolution as an individual and that his society is not worthy of a discovery so great. His purpose for living is to start a new incomparable race of humans, one that is not afraid to be different, to break the mold from which it was made. He understands that the only way for him to grow as an individual is to get as far away as he possibly can from his society. He must get away from the people who are content with being suffocated by the rules of their land, not able to express their own thoughts. His society, the council, are not worthy of a discovery so great because they are content to live the same day over and over. The declaration of independence states that accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. The people of Equality 7-2521 practically explain this quote themselves. They cannot understand the greatness of his discover because they do not know the greatness that is inside of them. Only when they begin to look inside themselves for that unique attribute, will they be able to see the

unique attributes of somebody else. Equality 7-2521 has realized that he is different, he is special, and he is his own person. He no longer refers to himself as we but he can use I. He can be proud that he has discovered electricity, that he has brought this great discovery to mankind. Equality 7-2521 understands that he has control of his destiny. He has broken the mold from which he was made and can now be all that he can be, fulfilling his destiny.