Mrs. Hopkins

Who is Ayn Rand? Ayn Rand was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, on February 2, At age six she taught herself to read and two years later discovered her first fictional hero in a French magazine for children, thus capturing the heroic vision which sustained her throughout her life. At the age of nine, she decided to make fiction writing her career. Thoroughly opposed to the mysticism and collectivism of Russian culture, she thought of herself as a European writer, especially after encountering Victor Hugo, the writer she most admired.

Who is Ayn Rand? During her high school years, she was eyewitness to both the Kerensky Revolution, which she supported, and—in 1917—the Bolshevik Revolution, which she denounced from the outset. In order to escape the fighting, her family went to the Crimea, where she finished high school. The final Communist victory brought the confiscation of her father's pharmacy and periods of near-starvation. When introduced to American history in her last year of high school, she immediately took America as her model of what a nation of free men could be.

Who is Ayn Rand? In late 1925 she obtained permission to leave Soviet Russia for a visit to relatives in the United States. Although she told Soviet authorities that her visit would be short, she was determined never to return to Russia. She arrived in New York City in February She spent the next six months with her relatives in Chicago, obtained an extension to her visa, and then left for Hollywood to pursue a career as a screenwriter. On Ayn Rand’s second day in Hollywood, Cecil B. DeMille saw her standing at the gate of his studio, offered her a ride to the set of his movie The King of Kings, and gave her a job, first as an extra, then as a script reader. During the next week at the studio, she met an actor, Frank O’Connor, whom she married in 1929; they were married until his death fifty years later.

Who is Ayn Rand? In summary….. Born February 2, 1905 City St. Petersburg, Russia **Ayn Rand was a Russian-American novelist, known for works such as The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, and the novella Anthem. **She studied history and philosophy at the University of Petrograd. **Eventually, she left her home in Russia for the United States.

What’s Going on in Russia? Before Rand left Russia for the United States, communism settled in Russia COMMUNISM is a government system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed.

What Rand thought about………… What’s Going on in Russia 1. Rand heavily opposed communism 2. She believed in the rights of the individual, and despised the collectivist society of Russia. 3. She took America as her notion of an ideal society

How Rand reacted to……. What’s Going on in Russia Rand’s hatred of collectivism (a common ideal embedded in the communist beliefs) in Russia is what inspired her novella Anthem COLLECTIVISM refers to an emphasis on collective (group) rather than individual action or identity.

Anthem Rand wrote Anthem in 1937, after moving to America Anthem is a novella, meaning it is shorter and less complex than a novel, but longer and more complicated than a short story.

Anthem Let’s talk for a minute! How does culture affect literature? Turn and talk to your neighbor about this…..

Themes Within Anthem There are going to be four major themes that we discuss as we read Anthem: COLLECTIVISM INDIVIDUALISM CONFORMITY EQUALITY What does each theme mean? Take notes as carefully examine them…

Collectivism In such a society, the individual is owned by the group; he has no right to a private existence, which means no right to lead his own life, pursue his own happiness or use his own property. The individual exists only as part of the group, and his worth is determined by his service to the group.

Example of Collectivism A great example of collectivism would be participating on a team. When you think of the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Knights, or the Charlotte Hornets, you think of a group of people on each team, working together, for ONE COMMON PURPOSE.

Collectivism in the novel We will see collectivism represented in Anthem because the society in which the main character lives is a collective society. **Does living in a collective society mean everyone is equal????? Answer on your notes page…..

Individualism Another theme within Anthem is individualism INDIVIDUALISM is the opposite of collectivism. *Individualism focuses on individual action and identity, rather than the group. People have the freedom to be different, or unique

Individualism Individualism does not mean that one can do whatever he feels like doing; it means that every man is an individual and has the same rights. “An individualist is a man who says: ‘I will not run anyone’s life— nor let anyone run mine. I will not rule or be ruled. I will not be a master nor a slave. I will not sacrifice myself to anyone— nor sacrifice anyone to myself.’”

Example of Individualism Individuality is the theme of Lady Gaga’s song, “Born This Way,” and it can be illustrated by part of the lyrics: “I’m beautiful in my way, cause God makes no mistakes. I’m on the right track, baby I was born this way. Don’t hide yourself in regret, just love yourself and you’re set. I’m on the right track, baby. I was born this way.”

Individualism in the novel Though Anthem is about a collectivist society, our main character, Equality decides to rise against his society and claim individuality.

Conformity The theme of conformity is closely related to the theme of individuality. Conform means to be similar or identical, or to be obedient or compliant. Are we a conformist society?

Example of Conformity An example of conformity would be school uniforms.

Conformity Other examples…..

Conformity in the novel In Anthem, Equality is expected to conform to society, but he goes against these expectations.

Equality EQUALITY is the final theme within Anthem that we will discuss. EQUALITY occurs when things are alike in status, quality, nature, etc.

Let’s talk for a minute….. Does equality truly exist? Why or why not? Discuss with others.