Anthem was written by Ayn Rand. Ayn wrote her book in a very interesting way. I have never seen a book that was written with all plural pronouns. instead of saying “I did” it would say “we did”. When describing other characters it would always say “they” and never he or she. The characters also did not have normal names. For example the main character’s name is Equality 7-2521, all of the character have a name and a “serial” number. These two things made reading the book very difficult to understand at first. After I realized what Rand was attempting to do I finally understood the book.
After I overcame these complications, I could easily read the book. I really liked the character development throughout the entire book. Equality 7-2521 grew and changed for the better and in some ways for the worse. I agreed with his belief that the people should be able to freedom and their ego. I disagreed with him leaving with the Golden One to live a life together. He said that maybe some day in the future he would go back to the State and try to fix it. The ending was not as satisfying as I wanted it to be. Overall the book has a developed plot, interesting characters, and is a challenging read.
Throughout the entire book Equality 7-2521 was pitched to be a hero. There was struggles he overcame and goals he accomplished. Most of the things he did was selfish. He had high hopes to help the society and free them. In the end he ends up only helping himself and his love, the “Golden One”. His intention since he met her was to be with her. At the end of the book he said “For the coming of that day shall I fight, I and my sons and my chosen friends. For the freedom of Man. For his life. For his honor.” Equality 7-2521 has the potential to be a hero. He has goals to go back and save mankind. Where the story left off he escaped and started to raise a family. He also was learning long forgotten words and making himself more wise and powerful. He left his “brothers” behind, this is not hero like. Most heroes fight the “villain” until they are defeated, this is not the case for Equality. Equality hints that he is going to go back and change the society, until he does this I do not see that he has really followed the hero’s journey.
I believe that in life we all have the chance to be a hero, and we all have opportunities to be the “villain”. In the poem “Invictus” the poet wrote how we decide our own fate. I completely agree with that. Every decision we make effects our fate. We decide if we are going to be the hero in the story of our life. We decide if we are going to be the villain in a different story. I believe that your fate is never locked in place and there is always something you can do about it. If there is a chance for me to be a hero I will take it. Invite that girl to your table, let him join your group, listen to Susanna’s problems, and make let them know you care. There is a million thing you could do a day to be a hero to someone.
My story has barely begun.
I’m going to make my story mine.
kindkaylee 