Ayn Rand and Anthem

1. Ayn Randand Anthem

2. Ayn Rand 1905-1982 Born in Russia, educated under communists Escaped 1926 to America b/c it represented her individualist philosophy

3. Anthem (1938) • This novelette depicts a world of the future, a society so collectivized that even the word "I" has vanished from the language.Anthem's theme is: the meaning and glory of man's ego.

4. Anthem • Written in 1937 as a novelette about the essence of collectivism • Published in England in 1938, America in 1946

5. Theme • “It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and put them down upon paper no others are to see… there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone.”

6. Theme • This quote begins Anthem which according to Rand expresses the meaning of man’s ego. • The story is about an individual imprisoned in the collective; how it can happen; what ideas must one accept for it to be possible.

7. Theme • It is both depressing as it represents people in such a society and it is hopeful in the triumph of the human spirit for those who are brave enough to reject the ethics of collectivism, no matter the cost.

8. Philosophical Concepts

9. Collectivism vs. Individualism

10. Collectivism • The subjugation of the individual to a group – whether to a race, class, or state does not matter • All thought and action must be “for the common good” • The individual has no right to lead his own life • The individual has no right to pursue his own happiness, or use his own property • An individual’s worth is determined by his service to the group

11. Individualism • Every man is an independent, sovereign entity who possesses aninalienable rightto his own life. • A civilized society can only be achieved on the basis of the recognition ofindividual rights. • Groups possess no right separate from the individual members. • Individualism does not mean one can do whatever he feels like doing; it means every man is an individual and has the same rights.

12. Altruism • Man has no right to exist for his own sake. • Service to others is the only justification of his existence. • Self-sacrifice is the highest moral duty, virtue, and value…which means: the self as a standard of evil, the selfless as a standard of good.

13. Selflessness • Defined as “Lack of Self” • No one has a name • No one should prefer one person over another • It is wrong to disagree, to question, to have independent thought • Individual has no rights

14. Selflessness • Without self one must abstain from thinking and simply obey the leaders • When individual identity and thought are obliterated, a society of mindless robots with no motivation, no ambition, no hope emerges. • Nothing is created because there is no room for creativity.

15. Egoism • Defined as “being concerned with one’s own interests” • Each man’sprimary moral obligationis to achievehis own welfare, well-being, or self-interest. • Man shouldbe “selfish” in the sense of being the beneficiary of his own moral actions.

16. Egoism • For example: • Having Ambition • Wanting things for one’s self • Wanting to learn • Wanting a career that makes you happy • Thinking for one’s self • Loving another person of choice

17. Conformity • The act or habit of bringing oneself into harmony or agreement with others; adhering to conventional behavior.

18. Obedience • Complying with a command; yielding to those in authority.

19. Independence • Acceptance of the responsibility of forming one’s own judgments and living by the work of one’s own mind.

20. Free Will vs. Determinism

21. Free Will • Advocates that people • can make choices, • can make up their own minds, • can direct their own lives by the ideas and values they adopt

22. Determinism • Advocates that people are by nature in the grip of forces beyond their control • For example: Race, the Stars, Instincts

23. ANTHEM & Free Will • The story shows what it means to have Free Will • They are Robots by CHOICE • The Protagonist will exercise his free will by making a different choice

24. Other Terms to Know • Totalitarianism • Romanticism • Realism • Naturalism • Abdicate • Objectivism

25. Setting/Point of View • Romantic Realism • The story is REALIST because these are REAL PROBLEMS of normal people (Not monsters, superheroes, or robots) • The story is Romantic b/c it is not about every day trivia or the boy next door • It is instead about the “fundamental universal problems and values of human existence.” • Romanticism contrasts with Naturalism which holds that people are crushed by forces over which they have NO CONTROL (FATE)

26. Setting/Point of View • Point of View First Person Plural (Diary Entries) • Story begins in the distant future • Protagonist is in the late teens or early twenties • Totalitarian Society –Government controls every aspect of every individual’s life from cradle to grave.

27. Expectation is to expend one’s life for the needs of the society, never a moment for one’s self. • If one’s usefulness is gone, he is a burden and should not live. • Because no one has personal desires, the authorities need no threats or force to rule.

28. Anyone who doubts his society feels guilty about doubting. • The society has no industry or technology. • The protagonist struggles to understand (man vs. society).

29. Sequence of the Life in Anthem Society • Each is conceived in the Palace of Mating • Young years are spent in the Home of Infants • Formative years are lived in the Home of Students • After being assigned a vocation, individuals are placed in special homes according to vocation • Old Age is spent in the Home of the Useless

30. Why are we reading this? • Anthem explores ethical and political questions which concern YOU! • Who are you? • Is it possible to stand on your own?

31. Why are we reading this? • It asks questions about society such as : • If you could choose the best society to have, what would it be? • How would you describe a moral and just society?

32. Why are we reading this? • Does your life now belong to a group? • Do you have the right to pursue your own happiness? And to what degree? • Can a society without freedom be productive?

33. Next Step • As YOU read, notice how these concepts are illustrated through plot development in Anthem. • Consider how the real world connects with the philosophical issues presented in the novel. • Read Critically, agree with what is acceptable to you. • Disagree with what offends your values or beliefs.

34. Next Step • Because you read a book does not mean you are to accept the author’s ideas if they are offensive to you. • Do not accept blindly! • Learn to justify and argue a good case for that which you truly believe.