21 'Anthem' Quotes From The Ayn Rand Novel Explained For Students
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Ayn Rand was born in 1905 in Russia, she was educated there and then moved to the US in 1926.
Among many others, she is recognized for her two most popular novels, 'The Fountainhead' and 'Atlas Shrugged'. She is also recognized for developing an 'ism', which she named 'Objectivism'.
Rand spent over seven years engaged on her first major work, 'The Fountainhead' (1943), the story of a handsome architectural mastermind whose individualism and integrity are evinced in his high-principled dedication to his own happiness. 'Atlas Shrugged' was notable for expressing the philosophical assumptions that underlay 'The Fountainhead', which Rand describes as “only an overture” to the later work.
There are a lot of 'Anthem' quotes and explanation ideas from the book right here that will make study of the book easier for students who are discovering the book for the first time. These quotes and their meanings might answer some questions that appear as you study this famous book, they will certainly make your think!
So, it's time to get to work! To find out more about this book, why not study these quotes from 'Anthem' for every individual. To get to know more related quotes, why not read ‘The Iliad’ quotes and 'Hamlet' revenge quotes too, you never know what you might learn?
Ayn Rand 'Anthem' Quotes
Here are some of Ayn Rand's best quotes from the book to know more about society, an individual, and how great and free a man can be.
1. “What – even if we have to burn for it like the Saint of the pyre – what is the Unspeakable Word?”
- Ayn Rand.
Explanation: The Transgressor, or Saint of the pyre, recognizes Equality 7-2521's worth even as he burns, and he asks Equality 7-2521 to carry on his battle and return the Unspeakable Word to the human language.
2. “No single one can possess greater wisdom than the many Scholars who are elected by all men for their wisdom. Yet we can.”
- Ayn Rand.
3. “It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see.
It is base and evil. It is as if we were speaking alone to no ears but our own. And we know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone.”
- Ayn Rand.
Explanation: Equality 7-2521 begins 'Anthem' with this declaration of his sins, indicating the degree to which society has influenced the development of his thoughts.
4. “We have lied to ourselves. We have never built this box for the good of our brothers. We built it for its own sake.”
- Ayn Rand.
5. “Our face was not like the faces of our brothers, for we felt no pity when looking upon it. Our body was not like the bodies of our brothers, for our limbs were straight, new, thin and hard and strong.”
- Ayn Rand.
'Anthem' Quotes About Freedom
Here are some 'Anthem' quotes for freedom, all about the meaning of an individual being free in society, and some Chapter 5 'Anthem' quotes with their meaning. Take a look!
6. "And we thought that we could trust this being who looked upon us from the stream, and that we had nothing to fear with this being."
- Ayn Rand.
7. "Fear nothing of the forest. There is no danger in solitude. We have no need of our brothers."
- Ayn Rand.
8. "But I still wonder how it was possible, in those graceless years of transition, long ago, that men did not see whither they were going, and went on, in blindness and cowardice, to their fate."
- Ayn Rand.
Explanation: These words describe a reflection on the history of the human race and on how it came to disintegrate into madness and fear through the perceived evils of collectivism.
Collectivism In 'Anthem' Quotes
Here are some important 'Anthem' quotes about rebellion. Any study guide about 'Anthem' must provide answers to the questions from readers to help them understand the quotes for the first time.
9. “Dare not choose in your minds the work you would like to do when you leave the Home of Students. You shall do that which the Council of Vocations shall prescribe for you.”
- Ayn Rand.
10. “International 4-8818 and we are friends. These are evil things to say, for it is a transgression blacker, the great Transgression of Preference, to love any among men better than the others, since we must love all men and all men are our friends.”
- Ayn Rand.
11. “This is the time each spring when all the men older than twenty and all the women older than eighteen are sent for one night to the City Palace of Mating. And each of the men have one of the women assigned to them by the Council of Eugenics.”
- Ayn Rand.
Explanation: This gives an insight to the society we see in 'Anthem'. We can see that the characters have little freedom from this quote.
'Anthem' Quotes About Individualism
Here are a few 'Anthem' quotes on individualism.
12. “We know that we are evil, but there is no will in us and no power to resist it.”
- Ayn Rand.
13. “We say to our self that we are a wretch and a traitor. But we feel no burden upon our spirit and no fear in our heart.”
- Ayn Rand.
14. “There was no pain in their eyes and no knowledge of the agony of their body. There was only joy in them, and pride, a pride holier than it is fit for human pride to be.”
- Ayn Rand.
Explanation: While he watches the Transgressor of the Unspeakable Word burn at the stake in Chapter II, Equality 7-2521 makes this observation about the Transgressor’s stoicism.
15. “We made it. We created it. We brought it forth from the night of the ages. We alone. Our hands. Our mind. Ours alone and only.”
- Ayn Rand.
'Anthem' Quotes Related To Equality
Here are some quotes by Ayn Rand which talk about equality.
16. “All men are good and wise. It is only we, we alone who were born with a curse. For we are not like our brothers.”
- Ayn Rand.
17. “This place belongs to us, Equality 7-2521, and to no other men on earth. And if ever we surrender it, we shall not save our life with it also.”
- Ayn Rand.
18. “And it seemed as if these eyes were trying to tell us something through the flames.”
- Ayn Rand.
More 'Anthem' Quotes
Here are more 'Anthem' quotes by Ayn Rand, including some 'Anthem' quotes about the council.
19. “My happiness is not the means to any end. It is the end. It is its own goal. It is its own purpose.”
- Ayn Rand.
Explanation: This focus on the self is an individualistic statement. Here we can see that the character emphasises that they must put their own happiness first and make this their purpose in life.
20. “We are old now, yet we were young this morning, when we carried our glass box through the streets of the City to the Home of the Scholars.”
- Ayn Rand.
21. “I am done with...'we,' the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, wonder, falsehood and shame.”
- Ayn Rand.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 'Anthem' quotes, why not look at these 'Havamal quotes' or 'Heart Of Darkness' quotes to see more related quotes?
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Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Accounting and Finance, Master of Business Administration
Divya RaghavBachelor of Commerce specializing in Accounting and Finance, Master of Business Administration
With a diverse range of experience in finance, administration, and operations, Divya is a diligent worker known for her attention to detail. Born and raised in Bangalore, she completed her Bachelor's in Commerce from Christ University and is now pursuing an MBA at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Bangalore. Along with her professional pursuits, Divya has a passion for baking, dancing, and writing content. She is also an avid animal lover who dedicates her time to volunteering for animal welfare causes.
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