2/13 Write the quote in your journals then explain the meaning of the quote.

Anthem By Ayn Rand

The Iconic Author During her own lifetime, Rand became a famous and controversial figure. A best-selling author, she also carried her message to university classrooms, to Hollywood, to Congress, to the editorial page, to talk shows and radio programs. Her presence has only increased since her death in 1982, as her philosophy has become more well-known. Today, her books have sold in the millions, and she's the subject of an Oscar-nominated documentary, a U.S. postage stamp, university courses, and a philosophical society devoted to the study of her thought. Fueled by her vision of man as a heroic being and by the original philosophy behind it, more and more people, from all walks of life, from businessmen to students to professors to athletes to artists, are saying the same thing: "Ayn Rand's writings changed my life."

Author Facts Born 1905, in St. Petersburg, Russia At the age of 9, Rand decided to become a writer, inspired especially by Victor Hugo's novels. In February of 1917, age 12, Ayn Rand witnessed the first shots of the Russian Revolution In order to escape the fighting, her family went to the Crimea, where Rand finished high school. Her father’s pharmacy was confiscated after the communist victory, Rand’s family suffered a difficult period of poverty and starvation. She was introduced to American history in her last year of high school, and immediately took America as her model of what a nation of free men could be Ayn Rand began studying courses on history and philosophy at the University of Petrograd. She graduated in 1924. The collapse of free inquiry and takeover of the university by communist thugs affected Rand’s life as much as it did everybody else’s. The only pleasure in Rand’s life during this era of depression was to watch operas and Western films and dramas.

Author Facts Pursuing her interests, in 1924 Rand gained admission to the State Institute for Cinema Arts where she studied screenwriting. She was granted permission in 1925 to travel to the United States to visit relatives on a short trip, Rand took it as an opportunity not to be missed and vowed never to return. Rand obtained an extension to her visa, after which she went to Hollywood to pursue a career in screenwriting. In 1929, Rand married actor Frank O’Connor and remained his wife for fifty years until his death. She sold her first screenplay, Red Pawn to Universal Pictures in 1932. This was followed by Night of January 16th, a play that was produced in both Hollywood and Broadway. In 1935, Ayn Rand began writing her most famous novel, The Fountainhead. After the success of her novels, Ayn Rand spend her time lecturing and writing periodicals on Objectivism, which she described as the philosophy for living on earth. Ayn Rand died in her New York apartment on March 6, 1982. None of Ayn Rand’s books have ever gone out of publication. They are still printed year after year for a growing number of admirers of her works.

Rand’s Philosophy: Objectivism Follow reason, not whims or faith. Work hard to achieve a life of purpose and productiveness. Earn genuine self-esteem. Pursue your own happiness as your highest moral aim. Prosper by treating others as individuals, trading value for value. philosophy The noun philosophy means the study of proper behavior, and the search for wisdom. The original meaning of the word philosophy comes from the Greek roots philo- meaning "love" and -sophos, or "wisdom." When someone studies philosophy they want to understand how and why people do certain things and how to live a good life. In other words, they want to know the meaning of life. https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/philosophy

Philosophical Fiction Philosophical fiction refers to the class of works of fiction which devote a significant portion of their content to the sort of questions normally addressed in discursive philosophy. These might include the function and role of society, the purpose of life, ethics or morals, the role of art in human lives, and the role of experience or reason in the development of knowledge. Philosophical fiction works would include the so-called novel of ideas, including some science fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, and the Bildungsroman.

Philosophical Themes collectivism altruism egoism conformity individualism

collectivism a society, a culture, or an economy that values groups over individual interests Example: A great example of collectivism would be participating on a team. When you think of a team, you think of a group of people, working together, for one common purpose.

altruism is the belief that the well-being of others is more important than the well-being of the self. selflessness

egoism each man’s primary moral obligation is to his own welfare selfish

conformity the act of bringing oneself into harmony with others Example: An example of conformity would be school uniforms.

individualism each individual has the right to live for his own sake and to pursue his own happiness belief in independent thought or action

Novel Overview Anthem is written as the diary of a young man living in a bleak, dystopian future where independent thought is a crime and where science and technology have regressed to primitive levels. All expressions of individualism have been suppressed in the world of Anthem; personal possessions are nonexistent, individual preferences are condemned as sinful and love is forbidden. Obedience to the collective is so deeply ingrained that the very words “I” and “mine” have been erased from the language.Everyone lives and works in collective groups, with all aspects of daily life dictated by councils.

Think about the above statement. First & Last Name Teacher Class & Period Today’s Date Think about the above statement. Write a reflection about altruism and what it means to you. Make sure you: Do NOT write the quote write one full page title your paper like the example use complete sentence use proper grammar, mechanics, and spelling