By: Ayn Rand A Lesson on Conflict and Dystopian Characteristics ANTHEM By: Ayn Rand A Lesson on Conflict and Dystopian Characteristics
Tuesday, October 10 Conflict is a struggle between opposing characters or opposing forces. Conflict helps create tension or suspense within a story. There are four general types of conflict in literature: Man versus Man is the conflict of one person against another person. Man versus Nature is the conflict a person encounters with the forces of nature. Man versus Society is the conflict of a person/people and the views of society. Prejudice/Racism is a good example. Man versus Self is internal conflict. It is those conflicts an individual has with his conscience. Provide examples of internal and external conflict in Harrison Bergeron and 1984.
Anthem Synopsis Freedom and individual rights have been obliterated Collectivism vs. Individualism “I” vs. “We” “. . . political philosophy holding that an individual exists solely to serve the State.” Protagonist: Equality 7-2521 Street sweeper (chosen vocation) Fascinated by the phenomena of nature
Ayn Rand Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1905 Taught herself to read at 6 years of age Was 12 at the time of the Russian Revolution (1917) Objected to the Communist principle that man must exist for the sake of the State The final overthrow of Russia by the Communist party brought the confiscation of her father’s pharmacy and periods of near-starvation for her family.
Ayn Rand Rand studied philosophy and history When introduced to American history, she took America as her model of what a nation of free men and women could be. Obtained permission to leave Soviet Russia Worked in Hollywood as screenwriter Anti-collectivist novella Anthem (1937) Personal philosophy called “objectivism”
Plot Summary Is a work of dystopian fiction Takes place in a future world in which society is governed by “collectivism” (a system similar to communism) – the community has many rules with strict consequences and virtually no freedoms Technological advancement is limited by government (known as The Council) – the society lives in a dark age in which technology has disappeared Men and women are assigned jobs at birth Reproduction is managed by the state Individuality has been eliminated Individual names have been made numbers preceded by words “Equality” and “Union”
Protagonist/Hero The protagonist in Anthem is Equality 7-2521 Equality stands out in a uniform and regulated society He is tall and is caught up in his own free thinking He represents a superior intellect in a world of automations
Anthem Concepts Altruism – man exists to serve others and this self-sacrifice is the highest moral duty Egoism – man’s primary moral obligation is to achieve his own welfare and well-being Collectivism – the subjugation of the individual to a group – collectivism holds that man must be chained to a collective action and collective thought for the sake of the “common good” Individualism – every man is an independent and sovereign entity who posses an inalienable right to his own life
Wednesday, October 11th Bellwork Discuss what an “anthem” is, pop culture examples “Anthem” reading quiz, ch. 1-3 Discuss excerpts from “Anthem”
Examples (Conformity/Individualism) “Dead Poet’s Society” – 1989 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrBk780aOis Good Charlotte’s “Anthem” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=desJKYvdq9A Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDl6iuku_mw
Bellwork Wednesday, Oct. 11th Please address the following questions: Would you want to live in a dystopian society? Why or why not? What would be the benefits of living in this society? What would be the downfalls of living in this society? Consider technological and bureaucratic controls when constructing your response.
Upcoming due dates: “Anthem” notes packet due Tuesday, Oct. 17th “Anthem” reading/writing assignment due Friday, Oct. 20th Autopsy project – Wed./Thurs. Oct. 18th & 19th (be collecting quotes while you read)
Chapter 3 New discovery?!