By Mrs. Bartel

Review notes

Background NotesBackground Notes

1905-1982 Born in Russia-Alissa Zinovievna

Rosenbaum Educated under the communists Experienced the horrors of totalitarianism Defected from Russia in 1926 to America

which represented her belief system

Background NotesBackground Notes

Anthem was written in 1937 Published in 1938 in England Published in America in 1946

Six Characteristics of Six Characteristics of

1. Realistic-takes concepts 1. Realistic-takes concepts from the past and projects from the past and projects

them into the future.them into the future.

2. Characters are well-2. Characters are well-developed.developed.

They hold contrasting They hold contrasting qualities: good vs. badqualities: good vs. bad

More humanMore human

3. Plot moved by scientific 3. Plot moved by scientific thought and theory-very little thought and theory-very little

action.action.

4. Plot deals with a human’s 4. Plot deals with a human’s development and place in his development and place in his

or her society.or her society.

5. Scientific, believable 5. Scientific, believable weaponsweapons

6.6. To totally understand novel, To totally understand novel, a person needs a a person needs a

background in the sciences.background in the sciences.

Theme of AnthemTheme of Anthem

“the meaning of man’s ego”

For essay: Give at least three specific examples from novel that illustrate this theme with quotes.

IndividualismIndividualism

In Rand’s words: “Individualism regards man-every man-as an independent, sovereign entity who possesses inalienable rights to his own live, a right derived from his nature as a rational being.”

“I will not run anyone’s life-nor let anyone run mine.”

Same rights

CollectivismCollectivism

“Collectivism means the subjugation of the individual to a group-whether to a race, class or state does not matter. Collectivism holds that man must be chained to a collective action and collective thought for the sake of what is called ‘the common good.’”

Owned by group and worth determined by group

ObjectivismObjectivism

Reality exists as an objective absolute-facts are facts, independent of man’s feelings, wishes, hopes, and fears.

Reason (the faculty which identifies and integrates the material provided by man’s senses) is man’s only means of perceiving reality, his only source of knowledge, his only guide to action, and his basic means of survival.

ObjectivismObjectivism

Man—every man—is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others. He must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life.

ObjectivismObjectivism

The ideal political-economic system is laissez-faire capitalism. It is a system where men deal with one another, not as victims and executioners, nor as masters and slaves, but as traders, by free, voluntary exchange to mutual benefit.

ObjectivismObjectivism

It is a system where no man may obtain any values from others by resorting to physical force, and no man may initiate the use of physical force against others. The government acts only as a policeman that protects man’s rights; it uses physical force only in retaliation and only against those who initiate its use, such as criminals or foreign invaders.

““Invictus” by William HenleyInvictus” by William Henley

Beyond this place of wrath and tears  Looms but the Horror of the shade,And yet the menace of the years  Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. 

 It matters not how strait the gate,  How charged with punishments the scroll,I am the master of my fate;  I am the captain of my soul.

““Invictus” by William HenleyInvictus” by William Henley

Out of the night that covers me,  Black as the Pit from pole to pole,I thank whatever gods may be  For my unconquerable soul.  

In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud.Under the bludgeonings of chance  My head is bloody, but unbowed.