Why is life so short in Anthem?
The first reason for such a short life expectancy is that there is nothing to live for in this world. The Old Ones have already lived an unfulfilling life, and being in the Home of the Useless certainly does not enhance their lives. With nothing to look forward to, they might as well die.
Why is it unusual for men to reach 45 anthem?
Equality states that it is very unusual for men to reach the age of 45. Offer several explanations as to why life expectancy is so short in his society. Life expectancy is short in this society because people 45 + are forced into the Home of the Useless.
Why is ego the sacred word in Anthem?
The word ego implies that one is more important than the collective, and that one is the proper beneficiary of one’s actions. The book, “Anthem,” by Ayn Rand, tells a story of one man’s rebellion against a collective society. And it’s forbidden to say “I”, which is considered a sacred word.
What is the unspeakable word in Anthem?
The first-person pronoun ‘I’ is the unspeakable word in Anthem.
What are the three holy words in Anthem?
His eyes’ seeing makes the earth beautiful, and his ears’ hearing makes the earth sing. His mind’s searching gives the earth truth. His will is the only command he respects or should respect. In his new view, the only three holy words are “I will it!”
What is the punishment for saying the unspeakable word?
Speaking the Unspeakable Word is the only crime punishable by death. He recalls seeing the Transgressor of the Unspeakable Word burned alive in the town square for speaking the Unspeakable Word, and he remembers that there was no pain in his face, only joy.
What is the curse equality 7-2521 was born with?
Equality 7-2521 was born with a curse: he’s been thinking forbidden thoughts for most of his life. And he doesn’t resist them. This is bad, because according to the World Council, all men must strive to be completely alike. All people must form one big, happy, indivisible “WE.”
Why is I mentioning this word the only crime punishable by death in this society?
Why is mentioning this word the only crime punishable by death in this society? How does this word contradict the ideals of this society? Because if one person sees himself as a individual, the entire society would break down and the elders cannot risk such a thing.
What word is equality struggling to recapture in this chapter?
The word that is missing from Equality’s vocabulary is the word “I”, but this represents more than just the first-person singular. Throughout his journal writing, Equality speaks in third-person plural, and he knows no other way to express himself because he wasn’t taught about himself.
What is the great truth in Anthem?
The Great Truth: the belief that human beings are not individuals but mere fragments of a whole. Individuality is UNREAL! The Unmentionable Times: the days in the past when humans still possessed individual rights and political freedom. These days are considered evil.
Why does equality think of being sent to the Palace of mating as being a shameful matter?
Why does Equality think being sent to the Palace of Mating as being a “shameful matter”? At the age of 18 or older, assigned men and women go to the Palace of Mating to make children. He thinks it’s shameful because it’s organized and unnatural. In the Home of the Infants; The children don’t know who their parents are.
What does equality discover in this chapter?
While dissecting a frog hanging on a copper wire, Equality 7-2521 discovers the power of electricity, which he explores in his tunnel underground.
What Discovery does equality make in Chapter 11?
By Ayn Rand Equality 7-2521 has finally discovered the first-person singular. At last, he tells us, he’s found “the words,” and “the answer,” he was looking for. He, himself, is the meaning of things.
Why does equality want to see his face?
As a consequence of holding and reaching values of his own, Equality 7-2521 experiences the previously unknown sensation of pride. This sense of self worth is why, for the first time, he desires to see his face and know what he looks like.
How does equality get caught?
Summary and Analysis Chapter 6. Equality 7-2521 is caught. On the night he completes his invention, he neglects to watch the hourglass that tells him the time. When he remembers to look at it, it is too late.
What was Equality’s punishment?
When he was 15, Equality 7-2521 was punished by the Council of Vocations for all his transgressions. He was made a Street Sweeper. Equality 7-2521’s life as a Street Sweeper went on uneventfully for four years, until one day he stumbled upon a hole that led to an underground tunnel from the Unmentionable Times.
Why does equality Want to escape?
Escaping from detention was essential for Equality 7-2521 as he wanted to show the members of the World Council of Scholars the bulb that he had found in the Tunnel. He thought that they would appreciate what he had found and it would be put to use as a new source of light.
Why does equality not write for 30 days?
Equality 7-2521 tells us that he hasn’t written for thirty days, because he hasn’t been in the tunnel for 30 days. He was caught. It happened the very night he wrote last, when he had produced the light. That night, Equality 7-2521 notices that he’s forgotten to keep track of the time (he’s been using an hour glass).
What is equality 7-2521 only response when the plan is enforced?
What does Equality 7-2521 say in response to the Council of the Home’s question? Why? “We will not tell you”. Equality says this because they do not want to reveal their secret tunnel or their discovery of light to anyone yet, for these things may be destroyed if others know about them.
What does the golden one offer to equality?
The Unconquered the secret name that the Golden One has given to Equality 7-2521 in the privacy of her own mind. She loves him because his straightness of spine and pride of bearing show that his soul has not been conquered by the state.
How is equality different from his brothers?
How is equality 7-2521 different from his brothers? Why might this be bad? He was different because he was smarter than the others, but he had to pretend to be dumb. He is also taller than everyone else in his society, and he shows preference.
Who does equality have a crush on?
By Ayn Rand. We learn that Equality 7-2521’s got a crush on a girl. Her name is Liberty 5-3000, and he tells us he can’t think of anybody else.
What name does equality choose for himself and why?
Equality 7-2521 chooses the name Prometheus for himself in part as a reference to his inventing the lightbulb and in part because he believes he will bring a new philosophy of individualism to the earth.
How does equality 7-2521 feel about himself?
Equality 7-2521, who later renames himself Prometheus, believes in individualism and rejects the collectivist society around him. He is deeply curious and desires freedom to explore and think, and he is unafraid of the society of mindless drones around him.
What did equality 7-2521 steal?
After he finds the tunnel, Equality 7-2521 returns to it each night by sneaking away from the group home where he lives when the others all go to the theater for the nightly show. He has stolen candles from the Home of the Street Sweepers and manuscripts from the Home of the Scholars.
Why does equality fight against them?
Why does Equality fight against them? Because he derives joy and happiness from what he’s doing and he doesn’t understand why they would deny people both that joy and the wonderful discoveries that can be made.
Who is Liberty 5 3000 why is she important to equality?
Liberty 5-3000 (or The Golden One, as so named by Equality) is a perfect match for Equality 7-2521. She, too, has a mind of her own that refuses to blindly follow the authorities. She is more than a beautiful young woman; she is a woman whose inner beauty is externally recognizable.
What emotion is equality feeling at the beginning of Chapter 5?
Personal pride
Why does equality call liberty the golden one?
A former farm worker whose infatuation with Equality 7-2521 prompts her to follow him into exile. “The Golden One” is the name she allows him to call her instead of her given name, Liberty 5-3000.
How does equality feel about the palace of mating?
At this time men over twenty and women over eighteen are sent for one night to the City Palace of Mating with a person assigned to them by the Council of Eugenics in order to create children. Equality has gone twice to the palace, and he feels ashamed by the experience. One day he decides to speak to Liberty 5-3000.