Anthem : A Novella Author & Background Information for Mrs. Montgomery Anthem – by Ayn Rand

The Author: Ayn Rand Lived during the Communist era in Russia (an attempt to establish a classless society; no divisons in society) When Stalin ascended to power in the 1920’s, she escaped to Chicago in 1926 She then moved to Hollywood to become a screen-writer

Anthem was published in 1961. The Author: Ayn Rand She is best known for The Fountainhead (1943) and Atlas Shrugged (1957) Anthem was published in 1961.

Communist Russia Stalin was the leader of the USSR & he improved the country's economic status Stalin ordered purges (execution) of all those who opposed him, especially independent thinkers & intellectuals How would this have affect Z in Antz?

Anthem: Themes & Ideas The novel is written as an allegory, or a story that has both a literal and figurative meaning ; (a cautionary tale, like fables children read to teach them a lesson). Describes a Dystopia, an imaginary world through which Rand shows the negatives of Collectivism

To Know, before you read… The novel is written using the word “We” because people were not allowed to use the word “I”, they were a collective society & not an individual one The novel is written in the future and people can barely remember/know what life was like (life as society now). Imagine that everything has been wiped out & society is starting from scratch even though it is the future.

Terms to Know Collectivism – --Places the group as more important than the individual. --The common good’ is more important than the individual

Terms to Know Altruism --The idea that man exists only to serve others. --Self Sacrifice is the most important aspect of a person --The “self” or “individual” alone is not important

Terms to Know Conformity --Doing/being the same as others -- Adhering to conventional behaviors; not being

--Complying with commands --Listening to those with authority. Terms to Know Obedience – --Complying with commands --Listening to those with authority.

Terms to Know Individualism -– “every man is independent, possesses an inalienable right to his own life,).