The City in Anthem has numerous rules and controls. Why do these exist? What is their purpose? Do you think the society that Equality envisions creating at the end of the story would include any of these rules and controls? Explain why or why not.

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Question: The City in Anthem has numerous rules and controls. Why do these exist? What is their purpose? Do you think the society that Equality envisions creating at the end of the story would include any of these rules and controls? Explain why or why not.

Answer:

Ayn Rand’s Anthem is the story of a man’s personal growth and quest for freedom from the rules and regulations in the society, which he lived. As the novel’s protagonist, Prometheus struggles to find meaning in his life and to understand his own unique nature. As he gains independence and freedom, Prometheus also discovers the beauty of his soul and the power of his mind. By the end of the novel, Prometheus has become a true man, proud, fearless, exuberant, and independent. He has also learned the evils of his society and in addition to rejecting them; he has begun a war against them. In following Prometheus on his quest to find himself, Anthem illustrates the evils of collectivism by depicting a society of frightened and oppressed men, crushed under the needs of the common good. Why did these rules exist? Why is there no individualism among the people in this society? The rejections in accepting the idea of the light bulb lead to Prometheus to the path of individualism. As a result, in his new, free world he would not include any of the rules.

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These rules in Anthem existed in order to make sure that everyone treated each other equal and lived for each other. They were expected not to have affairs with anyone. These rules indirectly showed collectivism in a rude way which gave rise to lack of individualism. The citizens of the city in Anthem were expected to follow every single rule existing in that society, or else it would be a severe punishment or they would be put to death. Their present and the future are decided by the council of vocations, who assign a particular house where they have to work ...

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