Ayn Rand, author of the novel Anthem, had the philosophical view of both a Romantic and a Realist. She states, "I am Romantic in the sense that I present men as they ought to be. I am a Realist in the sense that I place them here and now and on this earth." This quote implies that she portrays man in an idealistic sense, but she places her characters in a realistic world. Emigrating from the her home country of Russia into America, Rand was initially exposed to a somewhat technologically backwards society that discouraged the advancement of the individual. After settling in America, Rand found herself in a considerably more satisfying environment where a capitalist society existed in which technological and individual advancement was encouraged. This background led to Ayn Rand's opinion of technology in Anthem; through the comparison of the despair of a technologically backward society and the happiness of an individual who steps forth from the conformity of that society, Rand makes the point that technology is a positive advancement.
English: Ayn Rand's sign. Sicilianu: Signature de ...
Atlas sculpture, New York City, by sculptor Lee La...
Ayn RandIn the first half of the novel, the totalitarian society in which the main character, Equality 7-2521, lives is depicted as very boring and monotonous, devoid from the comforts and luxuries of a technologically advanced society. Rand, a supporter of capitalism, portrays this philosophy by depicting Equality as dissatisfied and bored with the repetition of his life. Every night he sleeps in a sleeping hall "white and clean and bare of all things save one hundred beds." (28) Some of the people who live around him, also void of these luxuries, are stricken with mental illnesses. For example, Fraternity 2-5503 spontaneously cries for no reason, and Solidarity 9-6347 cries out in his sleep.
Equality discovers a hidden tunnel to which he escapes each...