Anthem

Ayn Rand is one of the most controversial authors and philosophers of the twentieth century. Throughout her novels and lectures, Rand introduces her audience to her philosophy, objectivism. Objectivism encourages people to be selfish and live a better life. To achieve this, you should do whatever you want, but without creating victims. To Rand, selfishness means to work hard, earn self-esteem, pursue your happiness, and grow by treating others with the same value.Written in 1937, Rand intended to use Anthem as a critique of collectivism, the philosophy that individuals exist only to contribute to the well-being of society. In the novel, individualism has been erased and now the world is crumbling. The story takes place at an unspecified future date when mankind has entered another Dark Age. Technological advancement is now carefully planned and the concept of individuality has been eliminated. A young man known as Equality 7-2521 rebels by doing secret scientific research. When his activity is discovered, he flees into the wilderness with the girl he loves. Together they plan to establish a new society based on rediscovered individualism.