ANTHEM By Ayn Rand

WHO IS AYN RAND? Born: February 2, 1905 in St. Petersburg, Russia Died: March 6, 1982 in New York, NY Left Russia for America 1926 to escape Stalin Russian-American novelist Wrote The Fountainhead, Anthem, and Atlas Shrugged

WHY DID RAND LEAVE RUSSIA? Communism came to Russia in 1912 Communism is the idea that the government owns everything but everything is available to citizens as needed Father's pharmacy was taken by the government and the family lived in poverty. Ayn hated Communism She believed in the rights of the individual She hated the idea of collectivism in Russia Collectivism=the idea that a group gets priority over an individual She wanted to escape a Russia ruled by Stalin Stalin was the leader of the USSR. He ordered the execution of all those who opposed him, especially independent thinkers and intellectuals. Millions were killed ranging from government officials, those in the military, and the everyday person. Forced labor camps were also assembled and many died of starvation.

ANTHEM Anthem Book Trailer Anthem is written as the diary of Equality 7-2521, a young man living in a future in which people have lost all knowledge of individualism. It is a world in which the word “I” has vanished from the language and aspects of daily life are dictated by those in charge. But Equality's curiosity leads him to forbidden discoveries and eventually the greatest discovery of all. Anthem Book Trailer

UTOPIA A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and conditions. The Matrix How does the society in the video compare to the definition of a utopia?

DYSTOPIA A society of oppression, misery, and the illusion of being perfect Dystopias, through an exaggerated worse-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm or political system. Citizens live in a dehumanized state. Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad. The natural world is banished and distrusted. Information, independent thought, and freedoms are restricted. Citizens fear the outside world. A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society.

THE DYSTOPIAN PROTAGONIST Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape Questions the existing social and political systems Believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society Helps the audience recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective Blue or Red Pill Does Neo fit the description of a dystopian protagonist? Why or why not?

DYSTOPIAN Wake Up After Death Walk Through the Matrix What criticism is made through this exaggeration in the clips? What is being addressed? What illusions of a perfect society is depicted in the clips?What is the society like in reality? What kind of control is used to keep the members of this society oppressed? What current trend, societal norm, or political system is exaggerated in this world?

COLLECTIVISM the practice of giving a group priority over each individual in it

INDIVIDUALISM the theory that freedom of action for individuals should rule instead of collective control

CONFORMITY behavior that follows socially accepted standards

EQUALITY The state of being equal in status, rights, and opportunity

ANTHEM’S MAIN CHARACTER The main character’s name is Equality 7-2521 What does this tell you about his society? Do you think people in collective societies are truly equal? Why or why not?

INSTEAD OF SAYING I… The main character refers to himself as we, our, us, etc. What does this indicate about his society? How do you think this reflects the Communist society Ayn Rand left behind in Russia?