Reflections on Anthem by Ayn Rand

     The ideal, "Man—every man—is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others. He must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own  happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life," relates to the story of Equality 7-2521. By Equality 7-2521 rooting for his own individual happiness, he is able to find love. Equality 7-2521 falls in love for his own sake and by doing so; he is neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. Equality 7-2521 is able to seek beauty and hope. 

"We, Equality 7-2521, look through the window upon the sky, and there is peace in the sky, and cleanliness  and dignity," (Rand 49).

     In the individual discovery of electricity, Equality 7-2521 must have felt no need for company in hope of enlightening  the Council of Scholars. Equality 7-2521 is self-centered because he wants the fame of becoming a scholar instead of being a street sweeper like his brothers. Equality: The state of being equal in status/rights/opportunity. Equality 7-2521 wants the freedom to be curious and explore. He wants the equal rights to be available to him as the scholars.  

     Rand's philosophy is that humans should act selfishly in their own self interest first and foremost. So when my English teacher asks, "when a character acts selfishly against the prevailing vice(s) of the dominant social order, true virtue exhibits itself?"- makes me think that when a human has values and virtues, those interests are shared by the amount of caring and effort that is put into their actions. Depending on the person, Equality 7-2521's choices could be seen as selfish, while others see him as unselfish. In my opinion Equality 7-2521 is unselfish. He was going to share his discovery of electricity with the world and help benefit society. Equality 7-2521 wanted to be like one of the brother's on the Council, and that's the only thing he wanted. Equality 7-2521 wanted to be free of the darkness and witness the light. 

"We give you the power of the sky!" we cried. "We give you the key to the earth! Take it, and let us be one of you, the humblest among you. Let us all work together, and harness this power, and make it ease the toil of men" (Rand 79).

     Equality 7-2521 is able to rebel against the councils and stick up for what he believes in. Rand portrays Equality 7-2521 to be loyal, courageous, independent and original throughout the story. But returning back to Rand's philosophy, it seems to me that her intentions are to make Equality 7-2521 be selfish because he is working toward becoming apart of the Council. 

     Something from Rand's philosophy that I have interpreted is that as a human you should always do what's in your best interest for yourself. Throughout the journey of life not everyone will be there to value your interests, allowing you to do what you want and need. Even though Equality 7-2521 goes against the more powerful leaders of society, his true virtue of determination doesn't back down against them. Equality 7-2521 is able to risk himself physically and emotionally to the dominant social order, to obtain his own virtues. 

"The first blow of the lash felt as if our spine had been cut in two. The second blow stopped the first, and for a second we felt nothing, then the pain struck us in our throat and fire in our lungs without air. But we did not cry out (Rand 70).

    Furthermore, the question is somewhat significant but as a reader I think it all depends on your own values to whether or not it makes sense.