...plot and theme of Anthem by Ayn Rand?

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Answer by Chris Walker
Submitted on 1/8/2006
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Ayn Rand herself said that Anthem had no plot, but has a theme. My understanding is that the theme is the discovery of the individual, i.e., collectivism versus the individual, something that had been long-ago wiped out by the ruling collectivists. In such a world, all thought is driven underground, i.e., hidden in the unused subways, the basements and the privacy of one's unspoken thoughts. When the hero discovers that missing word in English that replaces the use of We as he refers to himself, he achieves his goal, but this is accomplished not so much through action, but studying in the library in the mountains. Ayn Rand's other three novels are plot stories, since they render the theme into a conscious sequence of action, actions initiated by the heroes of her novels.

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Question by Ashley Hall
Submitted on 3/22/2004
Related FAQ: FAQ: Ayn Rand's Philosophy of Objectivism
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What is the plot and theme of Anthem by Ayn Rand?

Answer by mimer
Submitted on 4/23/2004
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i really don't know, buddy

Answer by Ashley Summers
Submitted on 9/7/2004
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does anyone know the plot

Answer by Nif
Submitted on 9/20/2004
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Anthem is a pretty hard cookie to crack, I must admit, but I took the theme to mean you shouldn't loose sight of yourself. It praises self worth and individualism. As for the plot... it is a story of a guy who shows insubordination in a collectivist commune...

Answer by Sping
Submitted on 8/6/2005
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The plot is the collective versus the individual. It is about a man who is individual in a future world that is a collective dictatorship set back to medival advancement.

Answer by Sofie
Submitted on 8/17/2005
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Dehumanization and discovering the real you.

Answer by Laura
Submitted on 11/8/2005
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The theme is freedom. Equality 7-2521 is liberated from the resrictive society he lives in.

Answer by Kels
Submitted on 1/5/2006
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The theme of Anthem is that individuality is key. In a collective society there can be no progress and the little progress there is is very slow. Taking fifty years to approve the use of the candle for example. Rand is constantly making the collective look stupid. When Equality reveals the light to the world council they are frightened and they and huddled together backed up against the wall, that makes the collective look just plain stupid. Ayn wants us to realize that individuality is something we all need to pursue.

Answer by none
Submitted on 1/16/2006
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Meaning of man's ego. It's about Inequality breaking away from the collectivist dictatorship and discovering his individuality.

Answer by Michael
Submitted on 3/6/2006
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The plot of Anthem is that a guy is growing up in an over-the-top socialist society. Nobody is ever allowed to be alone or even think about themselves as an individual. The theme is basically that the word "I" is precious, and when that is taken away so is any idea of individualism.

Answer by fockso
Submitted on 5/15/2006
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It is the praise of indifference.PEOPLE SHOULD BE DIFFERENT WITH IDEAS.

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