Ayn
Rand’s “Anthem” portrays an exaggerated collectivist society that was against
rational egoism. The extent of equality was so extreme that people believed
they were “one with the state,” leaving no room for individualism. Everyone had
to be equal in the emotions they felt, the thoughts they had, the words they
spoke; there was no “I,” only “We.” In this particular case of extreme
collectivism, rational egoism would have helped to fabricate a society where
people had a chance to gain a sense of who they were and be their own unique
individual self.
Through
total control and equality within the society, the chance to reason and make
discoveries was out question. For example, there was no electricity so candles were
used and when Equality 7-2521 discovered electricity and went to tell the World
Council about it, he was threatened and rejected. The Council cared more about
the fact that he was a “Transgressor” and went against the rules of the city
than the fact that he presented them with a huge “gift.” This specific example
was a clear parallel to “Plato’s Allegory of the Cave” because the society was
so dark and deprived of knowledge
outside their boundaries; when electricity was introduced to them, they took it
as a complete joke. In this example, rational egoism would have created equilibrium
in the collectivist society in “Anthem” because people would have had a chance
to make advances that would not only benefit them, but the society as a whole.
When
used on its’ own, collectivism and rational egoism is chaotic and damaging to a
society because there is no silver lining to either. There cannot be a proper utopia
if people are stripped of their freedom and individuality in order to create “equality”
amongst all. There also cannot be a proper utopia if people only looked out for
their own self-interest. However, if certain traits of each ideology are
combined, there is a chance of instituting a utopia. The self-interest and
desires of individuals can lead to new advancements for everyone to use and as
for everyone being equal, with shared knowledge, there could be that equality.
While
the norms in “Anthem” are extreme to a person like me since I am able to use
the word “I” or “me” and be my own individual, I believe that Rand’s real world
experience does give validity to her ideas that were exhibited in “Anthem.” Coming
from a lower class in an aristocratic society meant that Rand had no voice so
she knew what it was like to experience collectivism because her life was in a
sense, written for her. Being a part
of a lower class also meant that she had less money and minimal power over what
happens in her life. While she was used to this kind of life, in our democratic
society, we are able to freely express our thoughts and ideas; even if they are
not always used. For example, we are free to protest for change such as wanting
tuition hikes to stop. Even if we don’t win the battle, our ideas are not
dismissed and we have a chance to fight for what we believe in. However, in
Rand’s situation, she did not have that opportunity and it was interesting to
read about a society where the lack of power was taken to a whole new level
where everyone in the society did not have a sense of who they were. The value
of oneself was so greatly stressed in this book and made something that we
usually do not think twice about, become extremely important. No utopia can be
formed if there is no “I” or “me.”
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