Question: “It is a sin to write this”—so begins Anthem. What is the significance of this opening line to the story and to the meaning of the novel? What view of morality does it embody? What is Equality's eventual assessment of his sin and why? Explain.
2007-03-13
14:46:26
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1 answers
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omygosh
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Education & Reference
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In the book Anthem, the Russian author Ayn Rand creates a classless society from which all freedom, motivation, and creativity has been removed. Even the use of names and love is banned, and the gain of knowledge is not encouraged. However, one young man, who at the start of the book is fifteen, finds a way to break out of the world in which he is trapped. He is known as Equality-2521, and later re-names himself “Prometheus.”
The book starts with Equality-2521 saying guiltily, “It is a sin to write this.” He has been writing in a journal, in a dark tunnel by himself. The government of his area, or “Council,” has forbidden writing unless permitted by the council, and Equality-2521 has been brainwashed with the idea that if an action is forbidden, it is a horrible thing to do. Along with all the others in his area, Equality-2521 has gown up to be very honest, with a good moral base. However, although the people are all morally good, few have any distinguishing personality features.
2007-03-13
14:46:43 ·
update #1
Moreover, the people of his area are restricted by fear. They are afraid of being caught. Our American society prides itself with the First Amendment right, but Equality’s Council forbids the people to say the word “I,” because they believe than anything done alone is evil. Equality, however, longs for individuality and some time alone, and this is the reason he is hiding in the tunnel. It gives him a sense of freedom, and the time and materials to create electricity, which had been invented long ago, but disappeared.
2007-03-13
14:49:24 ·
update #2
When Equality finds this tunnel, he starts spending a lot of time in it. He finds things from the times that nobody speaks of, including manuscripts. He eventually creates electricity, while the people of his time have recently figured out how to make a candle. He is inspired to show this invention to the Scholars, along with the journal. However, this hope is crushed when the Scholars reject the invention because anything done alone is evil. This causes Equality to run away. Without him knowing, his love who he was afraid of losing, has followed him. Together, they start a new life, and Equality hopes to bring the people that can still be saved to enjoy his new life.
2007-03-13
16:33:18 ·
update #3
Ifeel like I'm going way off topic
2007-03-13
18:04:24 ·
update #4