Anthem - Ayn Rand

In the book Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 had never seen his physical appearance. He was surprised seeing such a strong individual staring at him. One day after escaping into the woods, he finally met himself at a flowing stream and gained new confidence. This was an essential part to the theme of "Anthem." This shows how Equality finally found himself as an "I" in order to help others see themselves as an "I." This is an important part of "Anthem" since it reveals Equality 7-2521's determination, bravery, and development as a person.

In the beginning of Anthem, Equality 7-2521 commits a sin, a sin that everyone knows they are not to perform. Equality 7-2521 broke both rules with a sentence consisting of seven words in his diary. "It is a sin to write this," were his first thoughts. This was the very start of Equality 7-2521's break through development. Luckily for him, he was not caught committing this sin. Equality 7-2521 and International 4-8818 found an underground tunnel. This is where Equality 7-2521 spends a lot of his time thinking for himself, and finding ways to bring his society from everything being "we," to people being able to relate to an "I," like "The Unmentionable Times" unspeakable word.

Equality 7-2521 never gave up, even after the brutal punishment he experienced. Equality 7-2521 seeing his will to fulfill his dreams was another reason he began to trust himself as he saw his reflection for the first time. More ideas flowed through Equality 7-2521's head with interest of the "Unmentionable Times. "And when we put our wires to this box, when we closed the current - the wire glowed! It came to life, it turned red, and a circle of light lay on the stone before us." Equality 7-2521 discovered the secret of the light bulb made in the "Unmentionable Times." This was illegal since no one was to reference that time, much less try to recreate it. This was Equality 7-2521's purpose in changing the world so everyone could be free and live the life they want to live. The creation of the light bulb was more than just an object, but it was apart of his body. "For this wire is as a part of our body, as a vein torn from us, glowing with our blood." Equality 7-2521 for himself discovered the bulb. Further developing the light bulb, Equality 7-2521 lost track of time, causing him to be late to the home base of the street sweepers. For doing something good to benefit all humans, he was sent to the "Palace of Correction" to be whipped until he told what he was doing. If he told, his plans of meeting the World Council of Scholars would be ruined, along with the light bulb, and his dreams. He was very brave in his decision of not to tell his secrets because he wanted to be all he can be, along with helping everyone else have his same idea. He didn't go with the flow. He stuck to his beliefs which enabled him to trust himself more as he sees his reflection.

More comfortable with himself in making his own choices, he decided to continue pursuing his goal in meeting the World