Troi Oliver
English 9A
3/10/2019
ANTHEM
To begin with, the story “Anthem” by Ayn Rand published in 1938 is an extremely well
written story. In fact the story was explained so well that other subjects can describe the storyline
of “Anthem”. For instance, multiple songs can be used to describe the story, because of its
coincidental lyric connections.
To start off with, the theme. The theme of the story “Anthem” is about a world without
individuality. The main character Equality 7-2521 is the rebel in the story, he’s different from
everyone else. Equality 7-2521 wishes to be his own person with individuality instead of living
life in unity. To add on, the song “Imagine” by John Lennon, album Imagine, released in 1971
relates perfectly to the story’s theme of “Anthem”. The lines “Nothing to kill or die for, And no
religion too” is associated with “Anthem” because it explains the world Equality lives in, and
how no one has anything personal attached in their lives, that makes them who they are. Also,
the lines “A brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people, Sharing all the world” is connected
because it expresses how Equality 7-2521 lives his life with a class of men. It also shows how
Equality’s life is based off sharing everything with everyone.
Another example is the conflict of the story. In the story “Anthem” the conflict occurs
when Equality decides to present his discoveries of electricity to the Council of Scholars at the
World Council of Scholars, and crucially gets rejected. Therefore, the song “Beautiful” by
Christina Aguilera, album Stripped, released in 2002 also matches perfectly to the novel
“Anthem”. In this case, the lines “No matter what they say, Words can’t bring me down” verbally
expresses the situation of how the Council of Scholars rejects Equality’s hard working
discoveries. By declining him with harsh words such as “How dared you think that your mind
held greater wisdom than the minds of your brothers” stated by Collective 0-0009 on pg 71. Not
to mention, the lines “To all your friends you’re delirious” connects to “Anthem” because it is
also elaborating on how the members of the Council of Scholars made Equality feel crazy for
thinking that he could become one of them. Which states on pg 71-72 from Collective 0-0009 “
And if the councils had decreed that you should be a street sweeper, how dared you think that
you could be of greater use to men than in sweeping the streets.”
Last but not least, the romance of the story. In the story “Anthem” Equality 7-2521 finds
his significant other, which in their world’s law is forbidden to be involved in a relationship. In
the song “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, album L-O-V-E, released in 1965 coincidentally refers to
Equality 7-2521 and Liberty 5-3000 romance. In the lines “L- is for the way you look at me” is
revealing the scene when Equality and Liberty first met. This line manifests how the two people
first recognized each other. Lastly the lines “O- is for the only one I see” indicates that Equality
was in love with Liberty as told in the novel. As explained in the novel pg 91 “This is our home
and end end of our journey. This is your house, Golden one, and ours, and it belongs to no other
men whatever as far as the earth may stretch.” amplifying that he wants to spend his life with
Liberty (The Golden One).
In conclusion, The novel “Anthem” by Ayn Rand was a well written novel that is able to
be explained through songs. The chosen songs “Imagine” by John Lennon was used to make the
story’s theme visible, as well as the song “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera was entailed to reveal
the story’s conflict, and finally the song L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole was indispensable in order
to express the romance.
