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Anthem Introduction. About the Author. Ayn Rand 1905-1982 Born in St. Petersburg, Russia Disliked the mysticism (acceptance of allegations without proof or evidence) and collectivism of Russian culture (communism) Studied psychology and history in college Liked America’s freedom
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About the Author • Ayn Rand • 1905-1982 • Born in St. Petersburg, Russia • Disliked the mysticism (acceptance of allegations without proof or evidence) and collectivism of Russian culture (communism) • Studied psychology and history in college • Liked America’s freedom • Got permission to visit American relatives. Told Soviet authorities her visit would be short but planned on never returning home.
About the Author • Eventually went to Hollywood where Cecil B. DeMille(big-time movie director of the 10s-50s –The Ten Commandments, The Greatest Show on Earth, Cleopatra) saw her at the studio gate and gave her a job as an extra. • Met actor Frank O’Connor that week. • He later became her husband. • Worked behind the scenes in Hollywood then eventually wrote her first novel, We the Living, in 1934. • It is about Soviet tyranny. • Wrote Anthem in 1938.
Terms to Know • Romantic Hero • We discussed this during The Count of Monte Cristo. See if you still have the notes. If not, print them off my website! • Novella • Complexity and length is between a short story and a novel • Story has a compact and pointed plot
Terms to Know • Dystopia • A fictional society in which people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives. • The Hunger Games • Divergent Series • The Matrix • The Giver • Matched • Fahrenheit 451 • 1984 • Brave New World • Can you think of others?
Terms to Know • Collectivism • Suppression of the individual to a group (a race, class, state). • Man must be chained to collective action and collective thought for the sake of what is called “the common good.” • Pros and Cons? “Ask not what your country can do for you; Ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy
Basic Info • Setting: In the future; unidentified city • Characters have names and numbers • Equality – 2521 • All characters refer to themselves as “we” and “our” rather than “I” and “me”. • This goes along with the collectivism idea.
Themes in Anthem • In Ayn Rand’s words, the primary thematic idea of the novella is “The Meaning of man’s ego.” • Additional Thematic Topics are: • Collectivism • Individuality • Conformity • Equality
Think About It—Choose a Side • Equality will never truly exist in society? Agree or Disagree. Explain • Conformity is the only way to truly feel accepted in today’s society? Agree or Disagree. Explain • Individuality should be more important than the collective group. Agree or Disagree. Explain • True individuality can never be achieved in our society. Agree or Disagree. explain
You could win MONEY!! • Ayn Rand Institute (Essay Contest) • This essay will be mandatory and assigned at a later date.