Book Review: Anthem by Ayn Rand

Anthem by Ayn Rand

In a far distant future human civilization has partially collapsed. Centralized government is going strong but technology has regressed so far that they use candles and lots of manual labor because electricity and engines are unheard of. All work is done for the good of everyone, so extra work is not a problem. Everyone lives for the good of the "We," even referring to themselves only as "We." Sure, they have designations like the main character who is Equality 7-2521, but any individuality is crushed out of people by education and social manipulation. Equality 7-2521 says he was born with a curse, that he was different from others. He would get in fights with the other boys at the Home of Infants. Growing up, he spent a lot of time being punished, which was often being left alone. But the educational system was tight and sure of itself, declaring careers for everyone at age fifteen. Careers that were meant for lifetime work until those who couldn't work anymore would move to the House of the Useless. Equality 7-2521 had lots of curiosity and hoped to be in the House of Scholars but was put into the House of Street Sweepers. Of course, hoping for any position other than what you are given is a crime, so he kept it to himself. 

His life takes a big twist when, while cleaning a street on the outskirts of town, he discovers a grating that has ladder going down. Even though it is a crime, he climbs underground and discovers a smooth-walled cave with two parallel iron bars running down the middle. He sets up a learning center for himself there. Every night he sneaks out from the three-hour theater entertainment to experiment and learn, using materials he has stolen from various places. 

The next big twist is when he sees a woman working on a farm field by the road. He spots a spark of difference in her eyes and demeanor; she recognizes the same in him. They break another iron-clad rule of their society by communicating with each other. Things come to a head when he re-discovers electricity and can't help sneaking in to the Council of Scholars to demonstrate it. He assumes that the public good his discovery provides will make up for his guilt (which he does not feel) of working alone. His assumption is wrong.

The story is a classic dystopia like 1984. The past is called "the Unmentionable Times," from which more than technology has been lost, freedom and individuality have been stamped out. The socialist totalitarian state is so engrained than almost no one even thinks to fight against it, a clear worry for Rand. The world is well-imagined and the main character is extremely sympathetic. He turns into a mouthpiece for Rand's Objectivism with a big speech (the titular Anthem) at the end about how he will fix society, starting with rewarding individual, personal achievement for its own sake. I enjoy this style of dystopian literature, which is often paired with a political message against tyranny. I don't go so far as to adopt Rand's philosophy even though she puts it into such a sympathetic light.

Recommended.