Anthem Themes

1. One's personal identity is more than just their name.

In the book, Equality 7-2521 says he was "born with a curse... 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 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.' We repeat this to ourselves, but it helps us not." (Rand 18-19). In this world, no one can be individuals. Everything that the people do is controlled by the Councils. The only thing that is their own is their name, that is it. Throughout the book Equality 7-2521 shows us that having a personal identity is more than just one's name. He shows us that no one should be controlled by someone else and that everyone is different and has their own ego. Personal identity is way more than just one's name.

2. One must be fearless to stand up for one's beliefs.

Equality 7-2521 shows many times throughout the book that he is fearless. One has to be if he is to stand up for his beliefs. He says towards the end of the book, "For the coming of that day shall I fight, I and my sons and my chosen friends. For the freedom of Man. For his rights. For his lie. For his honor." (Rand 104). That is the most radical statement he makes but he makes his point that he will be fearless and fight for the freedom of Man.

3. People must have freedom to be who they were truly meant to be.

"At first, man was enslaved by the gods. But he broke their chains. Then he was enslaved by the kings. But he broke their chains. He was enslaved by his birth, by his kin, by his race. But he broke their chains. He declared to all his brothers that a man has rights which neither god nor king nor other man can take away from him, no matter what their numbers, for his is the right of man, and there is no right on earth that is above this right. And he stood on the threshold of the freedom for which the blood of the centuries behind him had spilled." (Rand 101-102). People throughout time have fought for freedom because it is so important. No one can truly be themselves if they are not free. Just as the society Equality 7-2521 lives in, no one can truly be themselves because all their decisions are practically made for him such as their occupation. Equality 7-2521's teacher tells him, "'Dare not choose in your minds the work you would like to do when you leave the Home of the Students. You shall do that which the Council of Vocations shall prescribe for you.'" (Rand 22). These people have no freedom to be themselves because if they do try to be different than their brothers, they will be punished.