Has anyone read "Anthem" by Ayn Rand?

Question

i have to write an essay on the book "anthem" by ayn rand and was wondering what this book teaches us about humankind? please help. this isnt what the entire essay is about so i'm not asking anyone to write the essay for me.

Answer 1

Anthem was originally titled 'Ego', and for good reason. It's about one man breaking from the crowd and learning what it is to be liberated, free and proud. In my opinion, the book teaches that, given the opportunity, man can easily slip into complacency and forget himself amongst the crowd in an attempt to avoid confrontation and waves. Despite this, there is always a will to learn and move forward in individualism, a drive for freedom and knowledge that exists in the human spirit.

"I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction."

"Neither am I the means to any end others may wish to accomplish. I am not a tool for their use. I am not a servant of their needs. I am not a bandage for their wounds, I am not a sacrifice on their altars."

"There is nothing to take a man's freedom away from him, save other men. To be free, a man must be free of his brothers."

If you want more, here are a couple sites that offer a synopsis and some theme elements.

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitN...

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/anthem/the...

Answer 2

The same thing everything Ayn Rand wrote teaches us: that the individual is more important than the group.