Huynh 1

Kathy Huynh
Mrs. Schwartz
HSA Honors English 10
October 15, 2013
Anthem Test Essay
In the novel Anthem, Equality plans to start a new society. According to a few
examples from the novel, the plan should be successful. It is also realistic because it can
relate to many real life examples. Equalitys plan expresses many qualities, some of which
is independence and individualism.
An example that is part of Equalitys plan is independence. Independence is ones
acceptance of the responsibility of forming ones own judgment and of living by the work of
ones own mind. Because Equality gains independence and leaves the old society to
establish a new society, this relates to a real life example of a child growing up and moving
into his own house away from his parents and making his own rules. In Equalitys new
society, the citizens would have their own independence and walk alone when we so
desire for each man is alone (96). The word we would be forbidden because everyone
has the right to do as they please. When Equality escaped from the window of the World
Council of Scholars meeting, the storyline became more realistic because it is similar to a
real life example of the Americas independence from England, which was and is still
successful.
Another example that is part of Equalitys plan is individualism. The definition for
individualism is it regards every man as an independent, sovereign entity who possesses an
inalienable right to his own life, a right derived from his nature as a rational being.
Huynh 2

Individualism holds that a civilized society can be achieved only on the basis of the
recognition of individual rights-and that as a group, as such, has no rights other than the
individual rights of its own members. Equalitys plan, as stated in a quote from page 96, I
shall choose my friends among men, but neither slaves nor masters. And I shall choose only
such as please me, and them I shall love and respect, but neither command nor obey, was
to choose friends from the old society to form his new society. Before he started to plan
how he wanted to build his society, Equality had already expressed individualism.
According to the quote I have learned from books, and I wonder, (101) he started reading
and learning from books, as well as starting to use the term I to refer to himself. It was
forbidden to read and to use the term I in the old society. He also found a name for
himself, Prometheus. Equality planned to start a new life without the help of the council
from the old society.
Equalitys plan expresses many qualities, some of which is independence and
individualism. Independence and individualism are two realistic ideals which will make
Equalitys new society successful. Without individualism or independence, Equalitys
society will end up like the old society, where no one has a say in anything he or she does.