Anthem"He lived in the dark ages of the future. In a loveless world he dared to love the woman of his choice. In an age that had lost all trace of science and civilization he had the courage to seek and find knowledge. But these were not the crimes for which he would be hunted. He was marked for death because he had committed the unpardonable sin: he had stood forth from the mindless human herd. He was a man alone."
Chapter Activities: Complete each of the following activities for every chapter in Anthem.
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Anthem Essay Contest
Write an essay on one of the following topics and you could win up to $2,000. For more information visit the Ayn Rand Institute website.
Write an essay on one of the following topics and you could win up to $2,000. For more information visit the Ayn Rand Institute website.
- "It is a sin to write this." So begins Anthem. But by the end of the story, Equality 7-2521 has a different moral assessment of his action. Do you think Equality's eventual assessment of his sin is correct? Why or why not? Explain.
- By the end of the story, Equality 7-2521 has changed his mind and become very critical of the leaders of his society, denouncing them in moral terms. Do you think he is correct to do so? Why or why not? Do you think he would agree with the advice that Rand offers in her short essay "How Does One Lead a Rational Life in an Irrational Society?"? Explain.
- Anthem portrays a totalitarian world of the future. In contrast to other such portrayals, the world of Anthem is technologically primitive. What does this imply about the nature of science and technology and the conditions for technological progress, and how do events of the story establish that view?