Dallice Johnson
Mr. Gowans
Language Arts 12
December 13, 2012
Mr. Gowans
Language Arts 12
December 13, 2012
Express It
The book Anthem by Ayn
Rand is the story of Equality 7-2521, who lives in a society which is striving
to destroy all individuality and inequality, therefore causing the community to
revert back to times without the technology we have today. Not only do they
live without such utilities as phones, cars and even light bulbs but they are
forbidden to think about them for they are called the creations of the “unmentionable
times.” The society leaders went so far in trying to remove individualism from
the community as to take names away. Equality discovered a hole in the ground
one day, and tunnel left over from the “Great Rebirth” (where they burned
everything from the unmentionable times) and spent much time there. It was
there he found the elements he needed to create what is known today as a light
bulb. This would be considered to be a serious transgression in the eyes of the
council, yet Equality 7-2521 was shocked to find out that the council was not
impressed with this discovery. In return they threatened horrid consequences
for his sins. Equality was forced to run away, light in hand, so that he and
his invention could live and progress. He was followed by a girl, Liberty
5-3000 (The Golden One) they had been friends -despite the fact it was a
transgression to have any preference- in the life he had known before his
escape. As they traveled together through the Uncharted Forest they fell in
love, a feeling no one the the society had known until then. Although the world
council made every effort to enforce equality among the members it became
apparent that Equality 7-2521 had a need to exercise his individuality. In the
same sense that Jonas, from The Giver
(by Lois Lowry) learns that equality in his society is not as great as it
looks. Jonas grew up thinking all was well in his community, he had an
accepting family unit, he liked his schooling and enjoyed the volunteer hours
he performed each day. After accepting his assignment as the new Receiver, he gained
the knowedge of many pleasures that he had never known because the society had
forgotten the times and memories from before the creation of this perfect
society. Jonas learns of love and what its like to feel love, he then learns
that at home with his family unit he cannot feel the love of his family. Love
is not something they know. Jonas then comes to love the baby, Gabe who stays
with them. Release is a term the use for the old, weak, or sinners; Jonas
always thought it to be a good, noble term and must be a noble action that
takes place. Release, taught to all citizens as a wonderful and beautiful thing,
because of the new responcibilities Jonas comes to find that it’s a lie told to
every member. Release is simply the forced death of a citizen. Jonas decides that the community has the wrong
idea about perfect. He and the Giver
collaborate a plan to change the society so that the could know of the pain as
well as pleasures of the past. Jonas learned that expressing his individuality
is part of life. Both The Giver and Anthem show proof that expressing
Individuality is essential, even if it promotes inequality.
An expression of individuality is an important aspect in life without
it everyday life turns to chaos and havoc. In our very own society we can see
the proof of the aforementioned statement, think for a moment of high school
students being forced to conform to a school dress code or behavior policy. How
often are the students rebellious against regulations and policies set by superiors.
The truth is people need to have the ability to express themselves. Take for
instance, the novel Anthem, that
ability was taken from the members of the society. Equality 7-2521 had found
the tunnel and is explaining how he feels about his new transgression, “We are
false in the eyes of our brothers... yet there is no shame in us and no regret”
(Rand 36-37). Not only does Equality 7-2521 rebel against the society by
choosing to continue visiting the tunnel he also knows he is wrong in doing so
but does not care enough to change to conform to the guidelines of his
community. Without the permission to express himself Equality 7-2521 turned to
a life of hiding and secrets with deepened his lies and rebellion, In life it
is necessary to have the ability to express individuality.
A lack of individuality creates a wall for progression; in both novels
it is apparent that their strife for equality limits their access to
technology. Anthem proves this
easily; their society is limited to a maximum technology of candlesticks.
Although the community in The Giver
is much more advanced than Anthem
they both lack the technology of today. Jonas and his family unit along with
the rest of the community members ride bicycles for their transportation rather
than a car such as we use today. Progress in society derives from ideas,
originally ideas must come from an individual. Equality tries to use his idea
to better his society, but when he presents his idea for progress in technology
with a light bulb to the World Council of Scholars they shut him down saying,
“How dared you think that your mind held greater wisdom” (Rand 71).Without the
ability to express individuality no progression can take place in any society.
Strife for equality is like looking for dry ground beneath the
ocean’s surface. There have been countless attempts to be rid of inequality.
Examples include but are not limited to the Extermination of the Jews, Soviet
Russia and even our present day “Obama-care,” All of which either have failed
or will shortly. This because of one simple truth, true equality is
unobtainable. Another example being The Giver, the society created in
this book is thought to be perfect, equal and unstoppable. Even in this world
(supposedly completely equal) there is flaw. It is stated by one of the elders
at the ceremony of twelve “We acknowledge differences. You elevens have spent
all your years till now learning to fit in… but today we honor your
differences” (Lowry 51-52). An Elder, leader of this equal society states that there
are differences even in their community. It is inevitable, where there are
people, differences are found. There is no possible way to create true
equality. Along with the perfect society in The
Giver, we also have the perfect society in Anthem, where it is considered a transgression to acknowledge
differences or show preferences, but of course they cannot escape the
differences, each person is given an individual job to serve the community. In
order to create complete sameness among the citizens it would be necessary for
everyone to have the same job, perform the same tasks and that would simply be
ridiculous and useless. Neither book showed success in sameness because it is
an impossible request.
Equality seems like a wonderful
idea to some, looks good on paper. The truth is, equality is not fantastic in
reality. Individuality promotes a healthy environment, allows progress in a
society and is important to have a successful community. Demanding equality
ensures a period of rebellion from each member of the society. Even the closest
attempt at equality does not compare to the true definition of equality because
equality is not obtainable. Although individuality diminishes equality, it is
an essential part to life and must be preserved in order for a society at large
including each individual to prosper.
Works Cited
Lowry, Lois. The
Giver. New York: Dell Laurel-Leaf, 1993. Print.
Rand, Ayn. Anthem.
Student Edition. New York: Penguin Group, 1961. Print.
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