Bellwork Answer the following prompt in ONE PARAGRAPH. What is self identity? Is it important to have one? If so, how important? If not, then why?

Ayn Rand and Anthem

The Author

The Author Born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1905 Taught herself to read at age 5 Began writing fiction at age 9 Graduated from college in 1924, having focused on philosophy and history in her studies Traveled to the U.S. in 1926 to pursue a career as a screenwriter in Hollywood With various minor successes in Hollywood, she began writing novels in the early 1930s.

The Author Worked as an extra and met her husband, actor Frank O’Connor, on a set Wrote in her spare time, but eventually became very successful, and several of her novels were turned into films

Ayn Rand’s Political Views Fiercely opposed to the collectivism of Russian society - 1917 Bolshevik Revolution - Communist confiscation of her father’s property led to near starvation on a number of occasions - Loss of academic freedom under Communist rule - Supported American ideals of freedom, self-interest, and capitalism

Ayn Rand’s Political Views Cont. Objectivism – Reality exists, separate from human consciousness, and humans only understand reality through sensory perceptions. - This reality can only be understood through the individual lens; that is, each person can only understand his/her senses and has a moral obligation to pursue his/her own happiness.

Ayn Rand’s Political Views Cont. Laissez-faire capitalism is the best form of government. This is a form of government in which economic systems and markets are allowed to do whatever they will do without government control or intervention.

Ayn Rand’s Beliefs “You are not your brother’s keeper.” – Don’t try to be your brother’s keeper or force him to be yours. Live life independently. We only have one life, and the good is to live it for ourselves, not others. “Love is selfless.” – We only love what we personally value and admire. “Objectivism” – the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute

Anthem Plot In a very controlled, techno-phobic society in the future of a post nuclear war Earth, one man (Equality 7-2521) dares to think of himself and his desires. This is strictly forbidden. People live in communal housing. When they are 15, they are told what their jobs will be, with whom and when they will mate in the Palace of Mating, and what they may do with spare time.

Anthem Plot Continued What they may do includes propaganda plays and meetings and does not include friendships or undirected walks on the city streets because each of these indicates an inner self with personal desires. Any inner desires or uniqueness in thought or appearance is seriously frowned upon. In fact, the one crime punishable by death is the utterance of the word “I.”

An Important Idea One of the most important issues in this novel is whether “we” (society) is more important than “I” (the individual). In this novel, the concept of individuality has been eliminated, and the word “I” has disappeared from the language. All individual names have been made numbers preceded by words “Equality” and “Union.”

Concepts in Anthem Collectivism Individualism Selflessness Egoism Conformity Independence Free Will Determinism

Collectivism The subjugation of the individual to a group All thought and action must be “for the common good” The individual has no right to lead his/her own life The individual has no right to pursue his/her own happiness, or use his own property An individual’s worth is determined by his/her service to the group

Individualism Every man/woman is an independent entity who possesses an inalienable right to his/her own life A civilized society can only be achieved on the basis of the recognition of individual rights Groups possess no right separate from the individual members Individualism does not mean one can do whatever he/she feels like doing; it means every man/woman is an individual and has the same rights

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, or to have independent thoughts Individual has no rights

Selflessness Cont. Without self one must abstain from thinking and simply obey the leader 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

Egoism Defined as “being concerned with one’s own interests” Each man’s primary moral obligation is to achieve his own welfare, well-being, or self-interest Man should be “selfish” in the sense of being the beneficiary of his own moral actions.

Examples of Egoism 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

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

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

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

Determinism Advocates that people are by nature in the grip of forces beyond their control

Setting/Point of View Romantic Realism - The story is REALISTIC because these are real problems of normal people (Not monsters, superheroes, or robots) - The story is romantic because 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 The story is told in first person Point of View

Sequence of Life in Anthem’s Society Each person 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 job, individuals are placed in special homes according to their job Old Age is spent in the Home of the Useless

Words of Wisdom from Ayn Rand The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me!!