Introduction to Anthem Notes. In order to escape the fighting during the Russian Revolution, her family went to, where she finished high school.

Transcription

1 Anthem By Ayn Rand

2 Introduction to Anthem Notes Group 1 - Rand s Biographical Information: Anthem was written by. She was born in, on February 2,. In order to escape the fighting during the Russian Revolution, her family went to, where she finished high school. After high school, Rand attended the University of and later the State Institute for. In late, Rand obtained permission to leave Soviet Russia for a in the United States. Although she told Soviet authorities that her visit would be short, she was determined never to return to Russia, and she never did. In Hollywood, she met actor, whom she married in. After struggling for several years at various non-writing jobs, she sold her first screenplay,, to Universal Pictures in. Rand s first novel was titled. She began writing in While writing, she took a break in 1937 to write. She began writing in Ayn Rand wrote and lectured on her philosophy of, which she characterized as a philosophy for living on earth." Ayn Rand died on, in her apartment.

3 Every book by Ayn Rand published in her lifetime is still in print, and hundreds of thousands of copies are sold each year, so far totaling more than.

4 Group 2 - Timeline of Ayn Rand s Life: 1905 Ayn Rand ( ) is born Rand decides that she wants to become a In order to escape the Russian Revolution, her family flees for Rand graduates from the University of Rand leaves the and travels to America Ayn Rand marries Rand sells her first screenplay, Red Pawn, to Rand completes her first novel, We the Living is finally published in the Rand writes Anthem in a is published The Fountainhead becomes a Rand begins is finally published in the United States is published in the United States Her, Frank O Connor, dies Ayn Rand The Ayn Rand Institute is established in The US Postal Service issues an Ayn Rand The Ayn Rand publishes Russian Writing on Hollywood, Rand s first formal writings.

5 Group 3 - About Anthem: Anthem is one of Ayn Rand's works. It presages the fears of that characterize. The novel is set in the and has a universal, feel in its characterization of an ideal character's struggle against a state. In the relatively short, Rand sets the individual against the collective and concludes that the rational celebration of is the only avenue through which technological and societal progress can occur without the suppression of. As in the case of many contemporary writers of / fiction, Rand initially wrote her novel as a warning against before the end of World War II. Rand rejected all forms of collectivism as inherently, a conclusion that undoubtedly had roots in her experiences in early twentieth-century Russia. Unsurprisingly, given her background, Rand was a staunch opponent of before and during the. She undoubtedly had the pro-socialist elements of the West in mind as well as some of the more socialist elements of 's New Deal when she wrote Anthem. In her view, collectivism led inevitably to the of people with original ideas, as well as to the punishment of the able by forcing them to serve the state. As demonstrated in Anthem, Rand believed that too much focus on the state led only to the erasure of human rights, and through Equality 's search for the Unspeakable Word, and through the collectivist naming system, she also echoes the Soviet use of. Rand believed that a collectivist society would into a repetition of the Dark Ages, further adding to the dystopian nature of her collectivist state. In Anthem, Equality is the embodiment of many and values of individualism and progress. Ayn Rand's writings have become popular in American society because she implicitly celebrates the emphasis on the rights of

6 " " as declared in the American Revolution. Group 4 - What is an anthem?: Definition of Anthem - The Star-Spangled Banner : The of the United States is The Star-Spangled Banner. The lyrics come from a poem written in 1814 by during the. It has stanzas, but only the is traditionally sung. It was officially recognized by the Navy in and was made the National Anthem by Congress and President in. It represents the values of America: Freedom

7 Group 5 - Genre: Anti-Utopian/Dystopian Fiction: Definition: Depicts a (generally futuristic) society that has degraded into a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being (perfect). It has underlying cautionary tones, society that if we continue to live how we do, this will be the consequence. It is regarded as a utopia and is often characterized by an authoritarian or totalitarian (ex: collectivism or communism) form of government. Dystopias usually feature different kinds of repressive social control systems, a lack or total absence of individual and expressions and constant states of warfare or violence. Dystopias often explore the concept of going "too far" and how humans individually and en masse use technology. A dystopian society is also often characterized by mass for most of its inhabitants and a large military-like police force. Rand s Version of the Anti-Utopia/Dystopia: Ayn Rand did not believe it was possible to have a society that is tyrannical, yet has a highly economy. She held that economic progress depends upon, that the uncoerced mind is the source of technology, prosperity, and. Thus the collectivist society she depicts is stagnant and.

8 Group 5 (cont d) - Collectivism vs. Objectivism: Collectivism a form of ; the subjugation of the individual to the group whether to a race, class, or state does not matter. In Anthem, Ayn Rand will present a collectivist society that is stagnant and primitive, and the word "I" is obsolete. -The individual... is owned by the has no right to a existence has no right to lead his own life, pursue his own, or use his own property exists only as of the group Objectivism/Individualism regards every man as an, sovereign entity who possesses an right to his own life, a right derived from his nature as a rational being. Individualism does not mean that one can do whatever he feels like doing; it means that every man or woman is an individual and has the same rights. -The individual... has will not run anyone else s, nor let anyone run theirs will not rule or be will not be a master nor a will not sacrifice to anyone, nor sacrifice anyone to themselves

9 Group 6 - Communism Background Information: Communism - a government where the desires of the are more important than the. People share work fairly and are paid. The word Communism comes from the Latin word Communis which means common or. Goal: to get rid of social classes & make everything for everyone. Red Scares : In US history, the term Red Scare denotes two distinct periods of strong : The First Red Scare, from 19 to 19 The Second Red Scare, from 19 to 19 The Scares were characterized by the fear that communism would upset the social order in the United States. The First Red Scare feared worker revolution and radicalism. The Second Red Scare feared (national and foreign) communists infiltrating the.

10 Group 6 (cont d) Key Facts, Symbols, & Motifs: Setting - Sometime in the distant, after the collapse of the social order because of the common acceptance of collectivist values; location is in an unidentified city Protagonist - Equality Point of View (Plural); Equality s POV Symbols - ; the forest; manuscripts Motifs - / ignorance and knowledge/ transgression and damnation Anthem Themes Individualism or Egoism (celebration of ) Dangers of as Heroes & Originality and Friendship

11 Main Characters of Anthem Equality A street sweeper, the protagonist of the novella. Equality , who later renames himself Prometheus, believes in individualism and rejects the collectivist society around him. He is vain and self-centered, strong, beautiful, and intelligent. He is deeply curious and desires freedom to explore and think, and he is unafraid of the society of mindless drones around him. Equality represents the superiority of a singular intellect to the homogeneity of the masses, who cannot think for themselves and are indistinguishable from one another. The Golden One - A beautiful peasant with whom Equality falls madly in love. The Golden One demonstrates her subservience to Equality by allowing him to change her name from Liberty to the Golden One, and later, Gaea. The Golden One is proud and vain, strong and bitter. She loves Equality because he is different from most men around her. With him, she grapples with a desire to find the word I in order to express her love for him. The Golden One is relatively underdeveloped as a character, functioning mostly as the object of Equality s affection. The Transgressor of the Unspeakable Word - A martyr for the word I. The Transgressor of the Unspeakable Word suffers no pain as he is burned alive because he knows the meaning of individualism. His death foreshadows the suffering and exile of Equality , and he represents the way to die properly, in Rand s view, for the cause of egoism. International Equality s only friend. International views Equality as a prophet. When he and Equality discover the tunnel in which Equality hides to write his journal and make his discoveries, he is torn between loyalty to his friend and his desire not to break the law. International represents the citizen who secretly seeks his own meaning but is unable to realize it because he cannot take the step of breaking with his society. Collective The leader of the World Council of Scholars. Collective is shapeless and cowardly, like all members of the World Council. He fears and hates Equality for breaking the rules because he believes that only those decisions reached by the council can be of value. Collective represents the thinking force behind the evil collectivism of the city.

12 Glossary of Unfamiliar Terms: Brine - Water mixed with salt (usually table salt) in a solution Collectivism - A society in which the people as a group determine the welfare of the state Ego - Synonym for self Eugenics - Breeding for positive traits in the human race Grill - A dividing screen of metal, often installed on windows or doors Hearth - A fireplace, especially in the sense of being at the center of the home Hedge - A row of shrubs that are close together and thus serve as a barrier Impotent - Incapable; lacking power Loadstone - Also spelled "lodestone," a piece of magnetic rock Manuscript - A written document, often in the sense of being handwritten Sanction - Official permission Smolder - To burn in a muffled but intense manner Torrent - A chaotic stream Tunic - A simple, loose type of clothing Vainly - Without the desired success Anthem Vocabulary 1. abyss 2. advocacy 3. approbation 4. atone 5. baseness 6. covet 7. defile 8. depravity 9. discern 10. edict 11. fluid 12. furrow 13. heedless 14. illustrious 15. infamous 16. lassitude 17. mandate 18. perishable 19. portal 20. pyre 21. raze 22. reprimand 23. sieve 24. submissive 25. tarry 26. transgression 27. vindictive 28. virtuous 29. vocation 30. whim

13 "Anthem" Song Lyrics by Rush Know your place in life is where you want to be Don't let them tell you that you owe it all to me Keep on looking forward...no use in looking 'round Hold your head above the ground and they won't bring you down [Chorus:] Anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind We marvel after those who sought The wonders of the world, wonders of the world Wonders of the world they wrought Live for yourself...there's no one else More worth living for Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more [Chorus] Invictus (Poem) by William Ernest Henley Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find me, unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul. Well, I know they've always told you Selfishness was wrong Yet it was for me, not you, I came to write this song [Chorus] Wrought Wrought 13

14 Anthem by Ayn Rand EXAMPLE ANNOTATIONS WORKSHEET *Remember to be specific when filling this worksheet out. You should include direct quotes and examples with page numbers. Chapter: 1-2 Figurative Language: p. #/Portion of Quote/Name of Fig. Lang. Device Example: p. 17/ It is a sin. / Hyperbole Example: p. 17/ It is. It is. / Anaphora Why do you think the author uses this? -to emphasize the seriousness of Equality s crime -to draw the reader s attention to the words following It is. (Continue to list page numbers, quotes, and titles of figurative language devices found in the text.) (Continue to explain the significance of each figurative language device found in the text.) 14

15 EXAMPLE ANNOTATIONS WORKSHEET Characters: [List characters in the chapters.] Example: Equality [Describe each character.] -21 years old; taller than all other men; main character Plot Development: [Summarize the plot in these chapters.] [Explain anything important found in the plot.] Tone: [List author s tone(s).] Example: Religious [Explain why you think the author utilizes this tone.] -author implies the government in this book treats communism like a religion Theme: [What is the overall message of the book/chapters?] [Explain why you think this is the message.] Example: Putting the good of the group ahead of the good of the individual could cause society to regress. 15

16 English I Annotations: Anthem by Ayn Rand *Remember to be specific when filling this worksheet out. You should include direct quotes and examples with page numbers. Chapter: 1-2 Figurative Language (8 examples): 1. Significance (Why does the author use this?):

17 Chapter: 1-2 Characters: Plot Development: Tone: Theme: 17

18 Anthem by Ayn Rand: Chapter 3-5 Annotations *Remember to be specific when filling this worksheet out. You should include direct quotes and examples with page numbers. Chapter: 3-5 Figurative Language (8 examples): 1. Significance (Why does the author use this?):

19 Chapter: 3-5 Characters: Plot Development: Tone: Theme: 19

20 Anthem by Ayn Rand: Chapter 6-8 Annotations *Remember to be specific when filling this worksheet out. You should include direct quotes and examples with page numbers. Chapter: 6-8 Figurative Language (8 examples): 1. Significance (Why does the author use this?):

21 Chapter: 6-8 Characters: Plot Development: Tone: Theme: 21

22 Anthem by Ayn Rand: Chapter 9-10 Annotations *Remember to be specific when filling this worksheet out. You should include direct quotes and examples with page numbers. Chapter: 9-10 Figurative Language (8 examples): 1. Significance (Why does the author use this?):

23 Chapter: 9-10 Characters: Plot Development: Tone: Theme: 23

24 Anthem by Ayn Rand: Chapter Annotations *Remember to be specific when filling this worksheet out. You should include direct quotes and examples with page numbers. Chapter: Figurative Language (8 examples): 1. Significance (Why does the author use this?):

25 Chapter: Characters: Plot Development: Tone: Theme: 25