In class, you are receiving a separate notebook for the all the material covered in the novel
Anthem by Ayn Rand.
On the first page is stapled some terms and their explanations with which you will need to become familiar.
We are reading chapter 1 as a class today and tomorrow.
Below is a copy of the questions for which you will be responsible. These questions must be answered in your notebook. Please use complete sentences.
Detailed Chapter Questions
Chapter I In a well-organized paragraph, describe the society in which Anthem is set. Some areas to consider are the political structure, degree of technology, social relationships, quality of life, and education.
1.Would you want to live in this society? Explain why or why not.
2.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.
Copy and complete the following chart, and continue to add to your entries as you read each chapter. (The first entry is partially completed, as an example.)
(A)Term and Definition Examples from Anthem (B)Try to find several examples per term)
(C)Why is this character or act condemned in Anthem?
1A Transgression: the breaking of a law or oath.
1B Transgression of Preference: Equality chooses International 4-8818 as his friend (p. 27).
They are taught that the individual is nothing, mankind is everything, and that everyone must be treated with absolute equality. To choose a friend is to single out, and elevate, one man from the group. Also, choosing a friend requires individual thought, personal choices, and value judgments, all of which are forbidden. They are expected to be mindless, and thus selfless.
2A Sin 2B 2C
3.A Curse 3B 3C
4A Crime 4B 4C
5A Evil 5B 5C
6A Damned 6B 6C
3. Clearly, Ayn Rand intended Equality to stand out from his “brothers.” Explain how she accomplishes this by contrasting Equality’s physical qualities and character traits to those of his fellow men.
4. Why does the Council of Vocations assign Equality 7-2521 the job of street sweeper? Is it due to error, incompetence, or a more sinister motivation? Explain.
5. When does this novel take place—in the past, the present, or the future? How do you know?
6. How would your teachers react if you had Equality’s “curse”?
7. Why do Equality’s teachers disapprove of his quick mind?
8. At this point in the novel, does Equality accept the moral teachings of his society? If so, why doesn’t he feel shame or remorse when he knows that he’s committing a crime? Find textual evidence to support your answer.
9. Would you want to be friends with someone like Equality 7-2521? Why or why not?
