Anthem - Chapter Questions

Answer the following questions on your own paper.

Ch. 1

  1. Why is it a sin for this man to write this book?
  2. Where did the candle come from?
  3. What is the penalty for this?
  4. What is the name of the main character and how old is he?
  5. What is the penalty for speaking about the times of the Great Rebirth?
  6. Where are the Old Ones kept?
  7. How is Equality different from his brothers?
  8. Was it a sin to be too smart?
  9. Who was Union 5-3992?
  10. Out of all the studies at school, which one did Equality like the most? Was this a sin?
  11. How did the people find out what their job would be after they left the "Home of the Students"?
  12. Where was Equality assigned?
  13. At what age are men sent to the "Home of the Useless"?
  14. Describe International 4-8818.
  15. Why can Equality and International not say they are friends?
  16. What did they discover?
  17. Why did they not report it?
  18. What do they do when they visit the tunnel?
  19. What things did they steal?
  20. Do they feel evil in their hearts?
  21. In a paragraph, describe the society in which the story is set. Consider the political structure, degree of

technology, social relationships, quality of life, and education.

  1. In this chapter, Equality states that it is very unusual for men to reach the age of 45. Offer several possible

explanations as to why life expectancy is so short in his society.

  1. Ayn Rand intended Equality to stand out from his “brothers”. Explain how she accomplished this by contrasting Equality’s physical qualities and character traits to those of his fellow men.
  2. Why does the Council of Vocations assign Equality7-2521 the job of street sweeper? Is it due to error,

incompetence, or a more sinister motivation? Explain.

  1. When does this novel take place – in the past, the present, or the future? How do you know?
  2. Why do Equality’s teachers disapprove of his quick mind?
  3. At this point in the novel, does Equality accept the moral teachings of his society?

Why doesn’t he fell shame or remorse when he knows that he’s committing a crime? Give textual evidence.

Ch. 2

  1. Who is Liberty 5-3000?
  2. Describe her.
  3. What does Equality call her? 4. What is the "Time of Mating"? 5. How old was Liberty?
  4. When was the only time the people could sing?
  5. What is the "UnchartedForest"?
  6. What is the one crime punished by death?
  7. What happened to the transgressor?
  8. What did the Transgressor try to tell the people before he died?
  9. Re-read the account of Liberty 5-3000 on page 38. Which character traits are revealed in this brief description?
  10. Write several examples of the ways in which this society tries to obliterate each individual’s mind.
  11. Contrast Equality 7-2521 with the rest of the men living in this society. (p.46)
  12. Of the range of feelings possible to man, why is the prevalent emotion in this society fear?
  13. Explain the following terms: the Great Truth, the Unmentionable Times, the UnchartedForest, the Evil Ones,

the Great Rebirth.

  1. What word is Equality struggling to recapture on page 49?

Ch. 3

  1. What does Equality discover in this chapter? How important was this?
  2. Describe 4 or 5 ways in which it would help society and make life easer or more enjoyable.
  3. Outline the beliefs of the Council of Scholars and Equality’s refutation of these beliefs.

Ch. 4

  1. Explain the appropriateness of Equality’s new name, “Unconquered”. Support your opinion.

Ch. 5

  1. What have they discovered?
  2. What did they decide to do with their discovery
  3. Equality understands that his invention will benefit mankind greatly; however, this was not his main motivation in conducting his experiments, and it is not the primary source of the great joy he experiences. Explain.

Ch. 6

  1. Why had Equality not written for 30 days?
  2. Describe the Stone Room under the Palace of Corrective Detention.
  3. How was Equality punished for not telling where he had been?

Ch. 6 continued

  1. How did Equality escape from the Palace of Corrective Detention?
  2. Where did he go after he escaped?
  3. Where does he want to take his discovery tomorrow?
  4. The old locks and lack of guards in the Palace of Corrective Detention indicate that

prisoners never tried to escape. Why not?

Ch. 7

  1. How did the World Council react to Equality's discovery?
  2. Why do you believe they reacted this way?
  3. How long did it take for the World Council to approve the candle?
  4. What did Equality do when he heard the World Council wanted to destroy his invention?
  5. Where did he go?
  6. What was his only regret about leaving?
  7. Outline four of the Council’s reasons for rejecting Equality’s invention.
  8. What are the real reasons behind the Council’s rejection and fear of the gift?
  9. When Ayn Rand writes, “for their eyes were still, and small, and evil,” what does she really mean?

How do you know this?

  1. What does Equality mean, at the beginning of the chapter, when he says, “We are old now, but we were

young this morning” (p. 68)?

Ch. 8

  1. How did Equality like his first day in the "UnchartedForest"? 2. Name the different things he did in the "UnchartedForest".
  2. Why does Equality experience a pride in eating?
  3. Explain why Equality laughs when he remembers that he is “the Damned”.
  4. What does the UnchartedForest symbolize in Anthem?

Ch. 9

  1. Why did Equality not write for many days?
  2. Who does he meet in the Forest? How did she get there?
  3. How do they eat?
  4. Do they like the new life they have found?
  5. Give 2 examples from the story to prove your point.
  6. What seems wrong at the end of the chapter?
  7. Explain the importance of the following statement: “There is no danger in solitude”.
  8. On pages 93-94, Liberty contrast Equality to his fellow men. Paraphrase this passage.
  9. In this chapter, Equality questions the morality of his former society. Contrast what he was previously taught about solitude, good, evil, and joy to what he now believes.

Ch. 10

  1. What did they come upon at the first of the chapter? Describe it.
  2. What did they think was strange about it?
  3. What did they find inside?
  4. What still troubles them at the end of the chapter?
  5. What does Equality seem to be searching for? Why does he keep writing?

Ch. 11

  1. What do they discover at the beginning of the chapter?
  2. How does this bring out the theme of the story?
  3. How has their attitude toward life changed since they have been in the Forest?
  4. What great discovery does Equality make in this chapter?
  5. “I am. I think. I will”…What is the significance of those words? Explain fully.
  6. Discuss the three precepts which Equality adopts as his guide to life.
  7. Explain what Equality means by the creed of corruption.
  8. Re-read the incident with the Saint of the pyre (pg. 50). What was he trying to communicate to Equality?

Ch. 12

  1. What are the new names they select for each other?
  2. What will their future be like?
  3. How do they plan to raise their son?
  4. What are the different ways man has been enslaved throughout time?
  5. What does the word Ego mean?
  6. Any Rand, the author, sets forth a definite warning to her readers in this book.

What is she trying to warn the people about?

  1. Why does Equality believe that people require names?
  2. What name does he choose for himself and why? What name does he suggest for Liberty and why?
  3. What did Equality learn about slavery and freedom? Why did men give up their freedom once they earned it?
  4. What is the sacred word and why is it so important?

Study philosophy terms below and study guide questions to prepare for the reading check quiz!

MODERATE PHILOSOPY

IndividualismCollectivism

Recognize you are an individualRecognize that there are others, not just you

It is good to be seek happinessIt is a good thing to help the group

EXTREME PHILOSOPY

EgoismAltruism

ONLY purpose is to make your self happyONLY purpose is to aid the group

Collectivism

The subjugation of the individual to a group – whether to a race, class, or state does not matter

All thought and action must be “for the common good”

The individual has no right to lead his own life

The individual has no right to pursue his own happiness, or use his own property

An individual’s worth is determined by his service to the group

Individualism

Every man is an independent, sovereign entity who possesses an inalienable right to his own life.

A civilized society can only be achieved on the basis of the recognition of individual rights.

Groups possess no right separate from the individual members.

Individualism does not mean one can do whatever he feels like doing; it means every man is an individual and has the same rights

Altruism

Man has no right to exist for his own sake.

Service to others is the only justification of his existence.

Self-sacrifice is the highest moral duty, virtue, and value…which means: the self as a standard of evil, the selfless as a standard of good.

Egoism

Defined as “being concerned with one’s own interests”

Each man’s primary moral obligation is to achieve his own welfare, well-being, or self-interest.

Man should be “selfish” in the sense of being the beneficiary of his own moral actions.

For example:

  • Having Ambition
  • Wanting things for one’s self
  • Wanting to learn
  • Wanting a career that makes you happy
  • Thinking for one’s self
  • Loving another person of choice

Conformity

The act or habit of bringing oneself into harmony or agreement with others; adhering to conventional behavior.

Independence

Acceptance of the responsibility of forming one’s own judgments and living by the work of one’s own mind.

Free Will

Advocates that people

  • can make choices,
  • can make up their own minds,
  • can direct their own lives by the ideas and values they adopt

Determinism

Advocates that people are by nature in the grip of forces beyond their control

For example:

  • Race,
  • the Stars,
  • Instincts