1. ANTHEM
By Ayn Rand

2. 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

3. 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.

4. ANTHEM Anthem Book Trailer
Anthem is written as the diary of Equality , 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

5. 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?

6. 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.

7. 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?

8. 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?

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

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

11. CONFORMITY
behavior that follows socially accepted standards

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

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

14. 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?