Anthem Essay, Research Paper

Few people, if any, have trekked the road of life without being confronted by some sort of obstacle. This not only presents an immediate external conflict, but also, in most cases, causes an internal conflict to arise. Such was the case in Ayn Rand’s novel, Anthem. The main character Equality 7-2521 not only has to confront external conflicts, but also has to try and make peace between his mind and soul. A brief analysis of these interrelated aspects of Equality’s life will reveal an interesting fact. The torment he suffers can only be ended when he resolves both conflicts, but only if he eliminates them in the correct order.

Equality 7-2521 not only confronted opposing external forces, but did so almost all his life. For example, when he was young, Equality did the unthinkable – he fought with other young boys. Those in charge took immediate action: Equality 7-2521 was punished more severely than anyone else. This event not only foreshadowed, but also laid the foundation for the way that the main character would be treated the rest of his life among his brothers. Later on in his life, Equality 7-2521 encountered yet another major conflict, he was not allowed to question what he was taught. The troublesome young man was expected to be just like his brothers. This was quite possibly the greatest his many external conflicts because it started the war between his mind and soul.

“It is a sin to write this.” The very first sentence of the novel gives evidence that this person suffers from an internal struggle. The first display of this conflict was given to the reader in the Home of the Students, soon after Equality 7-2521 was prohibited from asking questions. Here, Equality lies in his bed wishing, hoping, dreaming of being chosen to be a scholar. He is awre that these thoughts are “improper”, but he cannot stop them. From that point on, the struggle within himself continues to rage. When equality is alone in his secret lair, conducting his various experiments with electricity, he suffers from a nagging guilt. His constant repetition of the phrase “It is a sin to write this” proves as much. With the progression of events, This internal conflict is only made worse by the the forces opposing him on the outside.

As the analysis of these two facets of Equality’s life progresses, the reader soon becomes aware that if the main character is to attain liberty, he must resolve his two separate problems. However, the correct conflict, either internal or external, has to be dealt with for both to disappear. For instance, even when Equality 7-2521 found his home in the uncharted forest, he still was not fully liberated. He still referred to himself as “we”. Also, Equality lacked a true name. On the other hand, the second Equality discovered the meaning of the “I” he became fully liberated. He no longer felt the guilt that had plagued him for so long. Equality even went so far as to change his name to Prometheus. Most important, he found an actual purpose in life. However, it is interesting to note that this only occurred after his internal conflicts were resolved.