Yasmine Lotfi

Mrs.Cramer

College Comp I

26 January 2018

Solo

In the novel Anthem, Ayn Rand explores the universal theme of Individualism through the

development of the character Equality 7-2521. The book is in the setting of a collectivist dystopian

society where people have no name, freedom, or value. However, Equality 7-2521 feels something

different. He feels the need to think, to be an individual, and to be known. In Fahrenheit 451, Rad

Bradbury a similar totalitarianism society is displayed, as the government has censored books due

to fear of an "independent-thinking" society. But one firefighter, Guy Montag, whose duty is to

burn books, begins to question his task and decides to steal and read a book. Just like Equality 7-

2521, Guy realizes that the government has censored them from their freedom to be independent,

to explore, and to be free. Although both novels share many themes, they specifically express the

idea of individuality, and the realization that the government is keeping them from reaching their

freedom.

One of the primary relationships both novels share are the goals of each main character-

individuality. Guy Montag, from Fahrenheit 451, is a fireman who burns books. One day on the

job curiosity strikes him, he decides to steal a book and read it. He begins acquiring all this

knowledge he has never been exposed to before and becomes aware of the thought of individuality.

In resemblance, Anthem, describes the life of Equality 7-2521, who lives in a brainwashed

disconnected society. One-night Equality 7-2521 discovers light, and decides to share his
discovery to the council, but is outcast. He is shunned from society for thinking...thinking as an

individual. Through the beginning of the book, both Equality 7-2521 and Guy Montag show no

curiosity in the way their society functions, but as certain events and incidents start occurring, they

both begin to realize the true corruptness of their government. From this point, both characters

sought to change their society and move it towards an environment based on individualism.

Another key similarity between both stories share is their society. Both books are based on

the idea of a utopian society but are controlled as a dystopian society. In Anthem, people are seen

as one whole, not an individual. Society controls every aspect of each citizen from their permanent

job, who they can reproduce with, and their eating and sleeping schedule. Each person lives for

one purpose...to serve society. Similarly, in Fahrenheit 451, individuality is a sin. Society is

controlled in a way that nobody thinks, and the government provides everything for them, so

nobody will have question anything or have a thought. In both settings, punishment is given to

anyone who goes above authority or believes in individuality. In addition to both societies,

everyone thinks that they are happy, and that there is nothing wrong. Nobody except a small

percentage of people are aware of the collectivist society that is being run. Those who are aware

are the ones who begin to think and seek for the truth.

The understanding of love and happiness also plays a significant role in each character's

journey. In Fahrenheit 451, Guy is married to his wife Mildred, who is brainwashed into the

technology and norms of society. Throughout the novel, Guy comes to the realization that he and

Mildred have no relationship. They were not close, hardly communicated, and did not even look

each other in the eye. In the beginning, Guy described his relationship as "just fine", but after

opening his mind, he realized how dead his relationship was. Guy also realizes how the ban of

individualism has affected his inter-personal relationships, and how nobody is open to realize the
true censorships that present in their society. In Anthem, society strictly states "we take no heed of

the law which says that men may not think of women, save at the Time of Mating" (page 13). This

law states that no men is allowed to think of any women except during the time of mating where

two people are assigned to reproduce a child together for one night. Equality 7-2521 breaks this

law by falling in love with Liberty 5-3000, a woman he sees working at the field. He falls in love

with her because he is attracted to her, she is curious like him, and believes in the idea of

individuality. He also realizes that the law is unfair, and how people should be able to choose who

they want to be with, and when they do. Equality 7-2521 has a growing love for Liberty 5-3000

and refuses to ignore it. He thinks of her above others in society, which is strictly prohibited.

In conclusion, both novels share many themes but both novels mainly express the idea of

individuality, and the realization that the government is keeping them from reaching their freedom.

These books are essential to today's modern world society as a reminder for things we take granted

and serves as a visualization for the future of utopian societies. However, to conclude, both authors

express the universal theme of individualism, and that equality has its limits.