Role play of each characters and its irony

Throughout the novel, both the "brothers" of the society and the readers are constantly reminded that men have to live for their brothers and that there is no "I" in the world. This can also be interpreted as stating that men should not have any feelings nor keep their dignity.

They must listen to everything the councils order them to and there is not a single way out of this way of living. However, as I was reading, I noticed an irony when the councils were talking to the brothers. In page 25 of the novel, the councils tell the men, "by a free and general vote of all men." My question is, how can it be a free vote if starting from the beginning, men were told exactly what to do by the Council? The Councils even pick what jobs the students will have, also mentioned in page 25. They compare men to see which job is best suitable for each, then once ordered to the student, that student will immediately start the job regardless of their identity as a student. For example, if the council said "Carpenter" or "Cook", the students so assigned go to work and do not study any further.

Back to my point, if all men are trained to do, say, eat everything that's been scheduled already for them, how are they expected to have their own thoughts in the first place? Free votes from men does not make any sense at all, nor does it come even close to what the councils are making the men capable of.

Image Study 1 - man vs. society

Throughout the novel, there were several important images created by Rand. These imageries not only let the readers draw a picture in their head but they also seemed to have acted as checkpoints to the plot, moving on from one point to another as the scene changes.

For example, on page 25, Rand mentions the image of the councils in the great hall. The councils were assigning the men their job by looking at their characteristics. The councils have been mentioned several times before this but this scene was the first time that I was lead to picture what the councils would look like. The great hall is a dark and quiet place where only two words were spoken to each man by the councils. I imagined that the councils are old white men with a frown on their face and wearing black robes. By putting this image in the reader’s mind, Rand emphasized the dark and unapproachable councils of the society and the power they have on the men.

Another important checkpoint signified by imagery was the scene where Equality 7-2521 and Liberty 5-3000 showed their love for each other and decided to start a living together, as mentioned in page 87. This scene took place in the uncharted forest after Equality 7-2521 had run away and Liberty 5-3000 followed. They suddenly realized that they’re alone in the forest, away from the brothers or the councils, which lead to their external expression of showing love. Rand didn’t specifically describe that they had “sex” but the text definitely refers to a physical act of having sex. This image that I drew in my head reminded me of Avatar when Jake entered the world of the Na’vi with Neytiri and had sex in the spiritual forest. This checkpoint signified a change in the lives of Equality 7-2521 and Liberty 5-3000 and a new start.

The Light that changed the lives of all men

Similarly in every other power controlled societies, the city of Anthem is dingy and dark and the only colors mentioned are gray, white, and brown. This repetition of dark colors represent fear of the people. Also the dark symbolizes secrets. For example, on page 32, Rand mentions that Equality 7-2512 has discovered the place from the unmentionable times. Knowing that the council will punish him harshly when they find out, he only goes when the city gets dark.

However, at this place from the unmentionable times, Equality 7-2521 found Light that represents truth. This is why when Equality 7-2521 went up to the Council with the light, they showed fear toward it. Even the invention of candlelight was a big enough change for them and the fact that Equality 7-2521 brought something back from the unmentionable times feared the Councils that he will eventually find out the whole truth and tell the gullible society.

Therefore Equality 7-2521 made his contribution to the world by his invention of the lightbulb and in addition, although mentioned later in the book, the Golden one finds light in the forest. The light represents human dignity that the society of Anthem was lacking throughout the novel. Also, the finding of light made Equality 7-2521 suddenly much more knowledgable than the brothers who are still suffering in the crown without even realizing it. Overall, Equality 7-2521’s lightbulb makes him a harbinger of tremendous social unrest at the same time that it helps him see himself as the unique individual he really is.