Blog Four: Society

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. Would you want to live in this society? Explain why or why not.

Anthem is set in a collective society. Everyone in this book is supposed to follow the same rules, refrain from asking questions, and abide by the life morals given to them by someone else. Everyone earns the same exact thing, no matter how hard they worked or didn't. There are no individual wants and there is no originality or creativity. In Anthem, everyone is the perceived to be the same. Technology is not very advanced in the society, and it shows in various ways. The characters do not use electricity, and science is apparently a restricted subject. People are not supposed to form friendships or bonds, and no one should show a preference for a certain person. Everyone has the same life plan set out, and Equality thinks that he is the only one who can see everything from the outside looking in. Education is not very extensive in the book, almost restrained. Only certain people, for a certain amount of time, gain an education. Work comes after the completion of education, unless the individual is chosen to be a scholar. I would be unable to live in a society like this, because I am an individual and I love intelligence. I am very creative and I rely on my best friends. I am curious and I always want to learn. This type of society would not be able to support me.


When does this novel take place—in the past, the present, or the future? How do you know? Please provide specific clues from the text.

This novel takes place in the future, and there are a few clues to support it. Throughout the book, something called the Great Burning is brought up and explained. The Great Burning was an event that consisted of the burning of all books and paper information that were considered evil. I think that these books and papers are our modern-day information. There are places and things left over from the Unmentionable Times, which are considered to be evil, as well. All of the forbidden places and objects are things that are commonly used in our society, and over time, they were considered evil with the new society.


What does Equality discover in Chapter III? How important is this discovery? Describe 4–5 ways in which it would help society, and make life easier or more enjoyable.

Equality discovers light in chapter three. This could help the society by technologically advancing it and showing the scholars that there are many things that they are ignorant to. This is a very important discovery, because Equality discovered it by himself, and that shows individualism. It could make the lives of his brothers and sisters easier because they wouldn't be as restricted with supplies. Equality discovered energy, and that could lead to even better inventions. The scholars could follow Equality's example and start looking more into science. His discovery might spark other people to become curious about electricity and how energy flows. Equality's discovery could open many doors to help his society.


How would your teachers react if you had Equality’s “curse”? Why do Equality’s teachers disapprove of his quick mind? At this point in the novel, does Equality accept the moral teachings of his society? If so, why doesn’t he initially feel shame or remorse when he knows that he’s committing a crime? Find textual evidence to support your answer. Does this change as the novel progresses?

At a younger age, I did have the same "curse" as Equality. My teachers often told me to be quiet, and let other children answer questions. I always understood everything before they taught us, and I didn't understand why I was getting into trouble for understanding my work. I was eventually put into advanced classes and a program for gifted students, but Equality didn't have this option. His teachers did not approve of his quick mind because he was only supposed to know what they taught him. Equality does not accept this, because he knows that there are far better things than what their society is being taught. He doesn't feel shame for committing a crime because he knows that he is bettering himself, and he knows that he is capable of more. He laughs when he thinks of himself as Damned because he knows that he has done nothing but better his knowledge.