Symbols & Motifs
The light Equality creates is symbolic of this.
What is knowledge or truth?
The society in Anthem forbids the use of this word.
What is “I”?
Equality discovers this "unspeakable word" that leads to his transformation.
What is “I”?
Equality lives in a society where this is strictly controlled by the Council.
What is choice / free will?
Equality is fascinated with this subject, which is forbidden.
What is science?
This natural setting becomes a place of rebirth and freedom.
What is the forest?
This name represents Equality 7-2521’s rejection of collectivism.
What is Prometheus?
Liberty 5-3000 is renamed this by Equality.
What is Gaea?
The punishment for speaking the unspeakable word is this.
What is death?
The discovery of electricity represents this.
What is progress / enlightenment?
The use of “we” throughout the novel symbolizes this.
What is loss of identity / enforced collectivism?
This is the system where the group is more important than the individual.
What is collectivism?
The discovery of this object sparks Equality’s personal awakening.
What is the lightbulb?
Citizens are assigned these instead of names to erase individuality.
What are numbers?
The Council of Scholars rejects the lightbulb because it was not created this way.
What is collectively / by group approval?
Names like “Equality 7-2521” and “Liberty 5-3000” symbolize this.
What is dehumanization / suppression of individuality?
Rand contrasts the conformity of the Council with the independence of this character.
Who is Equality 7-2521?
The process of renaming oneself symbolizes this theme.
What is self-discovery / reclaiming identity?
The novel critiques this kind of political system that limits freedom.
What is authoritarianism / totalitarianism?
Rand presents independent thought and innovation as this.
What is heroic or moral?
The house Equality finds at the end symbolizes this idea.
What is the rediscovery of the self / individual thought / the past?
The novel ends with a declaration of this core value.
What is individual freedom / the ego?
Rand uses Equality’s escape to the forest as a symbol of this.
What is breaking free from oppression?
Equality’s secret tunnel represents this.
What is hidden knowledge or forbidden learning?