Anthem
Ayn Rand has published many novels, but her second was Anthem. It takes place in the dark ages of the future, when civilization and science has been forgotten. This society lacks independence, values, and deprive individuals of their own name. Equality 7-2521 was different from their brethren. They alone searched for knowledge and what was in the “Unmentionable Times” (The 21st century). Judged and disliked when they were a kid, their life was never exactly similar as the others. Equality 7-2521 was described as having a curse, their body was much taller than the rest of their brothers. Equality 7-2521 was given this curse because their height was different from their brothers, and anyone different were known as unlucky. Their intelligence was frowned upon because of their quick gain of knowledge. Equality 7-2521 have been taught all their life that they have been born with an evil curse. With this burden, Equality 7-2521 have had thoughts of which were forbidden and unthinkable. They were known as distinguishable, their acts alone have never been committed. Eventually the World Council have learned of these acts of Equality 7-2521 and they have been sentenced to the Palace of Corrective Detention. However, in this facility, this area is escape-able; with old locks and lack of guards. The World Council believed their society was 'perfect', they felt it was unnecessary to enhance the state of the Palace of Corrective Detention and finally they have no knowledge of what the standards are for a proper facility such as this.
A perfect society consist of a world where everyone thinks alike, trouble and crime was never a problem, everyone did what they were told, and no one had individuality. This society never had any problems about keeping things in order; that is until Equality 7-2521 was born. Before Equality 7-2521 was given life, this society was deprived of its freedom, and their rights. Citizens were given vocations randomly and they were suppose to have this job from age fifteen to forty and their opinion was not considered. Equality 7-2521 had a deep passion for the study of science and how everything worked. “So we wished to be sent to the Home of the Scholars.” But the City of Council had other plans, instead they gave Equality 7-2521 the job of a street sweeper. This decision led to the mischief of Equality 7-2521 to steal belongings from the House of the Scholars (the job to study) so they can still learn about ideas that others have never thought of thinking about. Equality 7-2521's love still for knowledge but unable to learn has never been reenacted before, so the Council was unable to find a punishment suitable for this crime; nor was the idea of them escaping from the Palace of Corrective Detention after they have been sentenced.
The necessity to enhance the Palace of Corrective Detention never came to mind. With everyone acting like mindless zombies and obedient puppy dogs, the idea to have a better facility was meaningless. In the novel Ayn Rand writes, “We strive to be like all our brother man, for all man must be alike.” This society strives to be as one, one of the World Council members tells Equality 7-2521, “How dared you think that your mind held greater wisdom than the minds of your brother?” Equality 7-2521 was the only one who did not follow their brethren; when they were suppose to be watching a play they instead snuck out to get to their hide-away. After Equality 7-2521 was born, this society has had some minor complications. With the every day sneaking out, the theft of their brothers, and their desire to learn with out the Council's consent; all of which has never been done. Recently this society was never accustomed to having a rebel be amongst them, but with Equality 7-2521 they are clueless of what punishment would be suitable for them. With the Palace of Corrective Detention being in its run down state, the Council had no other choice but to put them there until they have found a better punishment.
The City of Council has forbid all information and any topic about the Unmentionable Times. The reason why the council has forbid any knowledge of this time was most likely because they were afraid of losing control of their society or no information about that time era have made it. With no idea of how the Unmentionable Times was built or what was made / lived there, the society now is unaware of how buildings and the proper security should be acquired. Without the proper knowledge to enhance the Palace of Corrective Detention center, the councils have left this building as the way it has always been. (I.e: old locks, rusted bars, and no security).
Without the proper knowledge of standards for this building, the belief that their society was perfect, and lastly the idea that it was unnecessary to enhance the state the Palace of Corrective Detention was in, was why the City of Councils have left this area as run-down and escape-able. Equality 7-2521 was the first people to disobey and go against everything their society was built upon.“At first man was enslaved by the gods...kings...his birth...by his kin... by his race but he broke their chains. He declared to his brothers that man have rights that no god nor king no other man can take away from him.”
