1. By: Ayn Rand A Lesson on Conflict and Dystopian Characteristics
ANTHEM
By: Ayn Rand
A Lesson on Conflict and Dystopian Characteristics

2. 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.

3. 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
Street sweeper (chosen vocation)
Fascinated by the phenomena of nature

4. 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.

5. 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”

6. 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”

7. 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

8. 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

9. Wednesday, October 11th Bellwork
Discuss what an “anthem” is, pop culture examples
“Anthem” reading quiz, ch. 1-3
Discuss excerpts from “Anthem”

10. Examples (Conformity/Individualism)
“Dead Poet’s Society” – 1989
Good Charlotte’s “Anthem”
Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall”

11. 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.

12. 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)

13. Chapter 3
New discovery?!