“Anthem”: Individualism and Freedom as the Dynamic Pillars of True Communities

Anthem is a portrayal of Ayn Rand’s view on collectivism and acquaints us with the standards of objectivism and individualism. The hero of the novel, Prometheus, is raised in a society where the word ‘’we” is worshiped and the identity of the individual is crumpled by the overwhelming power of collectivism. Rand rationality and her philosophy are ideal in various perspectives; we can’t deny the idea of individual will and its significance in the upkeep of a free society. Individualism and freedom are the dynamic pillars of true communities.

Equality 7-2521, (later renames himself Prometheus), emanates from comprehending that one is the focal point of one’s world, and our observation contributes the world its significance. He starts realizing and understanding his self and the importance of his reality. “My happiness is not the means to an end. It is the end. It is its own goal. It is its purpose”. He struggles throughout the novel and thrives on investing his energy alone, on composing for his very own advantage, and on making at his very own recreation and for his motivations. “To be free, a man must be free of his brothers. That is freedom. This and nothing else”. Simply after his break with society, he comes to know about his qualities and capabilities. “I am. I think. I will”. He flourishes alone, even in the forest, where he first expects to be wrecked by monsters. In society, people, as a whole, are depleted of their vitality and sapped of their imagination until they become indistinct, revealed themselves as separate beings. “The word ‘We’ is as lime poured over men, which sets and hardens to stone, and crushes all beneath it, and that which is white and that which is black are lost equally in the grey of it”. Opposite to this, those characters having the capability of knowing themselves, discerning on their display power, boldness, and self- assurance. In his final realization, Equality 7-2521 affirms his drive is the only thing he will follow and his contentment his sole objective.

The adjustment in the limits of individualism prompts the flourishment of societies. The 1960s were a period of enormous change in the limits of American individualism. The civil rights revolution was an overdue acknowledgment that dark Americans had been adequately banished from the positions of individuals whom Jefferson had said two centuries sooner had ”unalienable rights” to ”Life, Liberty and the quest for Happiness.” The women development happened against another authentic background, obviously, yet it was likewise inclusionary.

These ’60s contentions over ”which individuals,” while serious at the time, were conclusively settled wisely. Significant in itself, the present discussion and questioning, including parts of own life mirror a more extensive national exertion to deal with the new individualism. Presently, the result of the last re-evaluation did a lot to set the country’s direction positively.

Similarly, in current Russian conditions about the individualistic directions at work are all the more frequently, which is communicated in the self-acknowledgment of the individual aspiration, the opportunity of decision. You can’t deny the way that a man has both the collectivist standards and the individualism. The reason is that the individual is unfit to live separated from society and to be completely free. Modern Russia took a shot at this key, particularly in financial aspects, and it gave them success.

The contrasts among individualism and community can also have effects on the amount of time which is prescribed for a given task. For instance, a statistical organization surveyed to know about tourists around the globe. Japan took a very long time in returning the poll, as compared to other nations. The reason behind that, American traveler offices assigned the work to one individual, while the Japanese appointed the work to the whole department, which took longer to get it completed.

Rand writes Anthem gives a warning to the individuals who believe that collectivist social orders, similar to the one she witnessed in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century, can ever be useful. She thoughtfully states that restricting the individual and his or her needs will move the society towards devastation and stop all advancement and development. “I guard my treasures: my thought, my will, my freedom. And the greatest of these is freedom”.

Nevertheless, she believes that the individual can never truly be ruled — the individual will unvaryingly reemerge in view of the fact that freedom is a part of the human makeup. Rand trusts that no matter how hard society attempts and how many individuals it kills on the name of collectivism, the person will in any case arise and proclaim oneself his own motivation. Thus, Individualism and freedom are the dynamic pillars of true communities.

References

1. Bergelson, Mira. ‘Collectivism And Individualism In Russian Culture – Communication In Organizational Contexts | Coursera.’ Coursera. N.p., 2019. intercultural-communication-russians/5-6-collectivism-and-individualism-in-russian-culture- NXZMJWeb.
2. Rand, Ayn. Anthem Notes. IDG Books Worldwide, 2000.
3. Wilczewski, Michał; Gut, Arkadiusz; and Gorbaniuk, Oleg. ‘The Impact Of Individualism- Collectivism Orientation And Communal Orientation On Employees’ Attitudes Toward Intercultural Communication.’ Journal of Intercultural Communication 45 (2017): 1404- 1634.
4. Younkins, Edward. ‘Individualism And Freedom: Vital Pillars Of True Communities | Edward Younkins.’ Fee.org. N.p., 1998. vital-pillars-of-true-communities