Reading : 'Anthem' by Ayn Rand

I'm currently reading 'Anthem' by Ayn Rand. 'Anthem' is a dystopian story set in a future in which all knowledge is privileged information and the search for new knowledge is suppressed in every way possible. All people are supposed to be created equal and no one is allowed to differ from the rest, or at least be in any way proud of being different.

To quote Ayn Rand :

"Our name is Equality 7-2521, as it is written on the iron bracelet which all men wear on their left wrists with their names upon it. We are twenty-one years old. We are six feet tall, and this is a burden, for there are not many men who are six feet tall. Ever have the Teachers and the Leaders pointed to us and frowned and said: "There is evil in your bones, Equality 7-2521, for your body has grown beyond the bodies of your brothers." But we cannot change our bones nor our body."

'Anthem' was the inspiration for Neil Peart when he wrote the lyrics to '2112' by RUSH. As a comparison here, first, are the liner notes from '2112' that set up the story perfectly :

"I lie awake, staring out at the bleakness of Megadon. City and sky become one, merging Into a single plane, a vast sea of unbroken grey. The Twin Moons, just two pale orbs as They trace their way across the steely sky. I used to think I had a pretty good life here, Just plugging into my machine for the day, then watching Templevision or reading a Temple Paper in the evening.

My friend Jon always said it was nicer here than under the atmospheric domes of the Outer Planets. We have had peace since 2062, when the surviving planets were banded together under The Red Star of the Solar Federation. The less fortunate gave us a few new moons...

I believed what I was told. I thought it was a good life, I thought I was happy. Then I found Something that changed it all..."

Ayn Rand again :

"We strive to be like all our brother men, for all men must be alike.
Over the portals of the Palace of the World Council, there are words cut in the marble, which we are required to repeat to ourselves whenever we are tempted:

     "We are one in all and all in one.
     There are no men but only the great WE,
     One, indivisible and forever."

As compared to Peart's lyrics :

"We are the priests of the Temple Of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the priests of the Temple Of Syrinxs
All the gifts of life are held within these walls"

Note the 'We' used in 'Anthem' in almost every sentence. There is no individuality in Anthem's world. No one is allowed to use 'I' anymore lest he or she become an individual.

Ayn Rand :

"We think that there are mysteries in the sky and under the water and in the plants which grow. But the Council of Scholars has said that there are no mysteries, and the Council of Scholars knows all things. And we learned much from our Teachers. We learned that the earth is flat and that the sun revolves around it, which causes the day and night. We learned the names of all the winds which blow over the seas and push the sails of our great ships. We learned how to bleed men to cure them of all ailments."

Compare Neil Peart :

"We've taken care of everything
The words you read, the songs you sing
The pictures that bring pleasure to the eyes
Oh what a nice contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand"

I could analyze the complete novella(or '2112' for that matter) but that would spoil the fun of reading and listening to it yourself. Suffice it to say that Peart did an admirable job; he interpreted 'Anthem' quite loosely but at the same time stayed true to the deeper meaning of the story.

Reading 'Anthem while listening to '2112' is a very interesting experience, as long as you play the album LOUD!


TM.


References :

'Anthem' by Ayn Rand can be freely downloaded from Project Gutenberg :

Neil Peart's lyrics to '2112' can be found at LyricsFreak (I kid you not!)