Ayn Rand Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

The novel Anthem discloses the dichotomy of collectivism and individualism regarding their consequences on the identity formation, Equality 7-2521 as the main character in the collectivist society in which the word "I" is forgotten and forbidden, tries to rediscover individualism along with his own identity which is not predetermined or constructed by the society. In this path of rediscovering, he dedicates himself to find the Unspeakable Word, the word "I" as a quest, and he first discovers his potentials and capability, then rediscovers individualism through integrating the objectivist thought. The novel emphasizes collectivism in man's soul, the alienation process which is the result of the impossibility to be different in the collectivist society, accepted altruism, objectivism and its significance in man's survival on earth and the structure of identity as suitable to construct and reconstruct like the history, language, and cultural norms. For that reason, when Equality 7-2521 rediscovers the word "I", he not only reconstructs his identity, but he also reconstructs the past, language, the culture and its norms. The aim of this paper is to present how collectivism and altruism can modify the formation of identity, how it is acknowledged and embraced by the individuals, and how an individual can rediscover individualism within the borders and enslavement of the collectivist society. In that regard, the main character Equality 7-2521 will be analysed within the framework of his relation with the society and its rules. In addition, the predetermined identity, alienation process, separation from the society, rediscovering the self, the dichotomy of collectivism and individualism and the objectivist thought will be taken into consideration.
Keywords: collectivism, altruism, individualism, objectivism, identity formation.