Anthem by Ayn Rand - A Short Summary & Review
Anthem by Ayn Rand - A Short Summary & Review
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review
We choose to be I.
A short summary:
In Anthem, Ayn Rand imagines a future where the word “I” has been erased from human language and thought. Society has collapsed into extreme collectivism, where individuality is not only discouraged but treated as a moral crime. Through the eyes of one curious, questioning protagonist, the novel follows the dangerous rediscovery of selfhood, personal conscience, creativity, and choice. What unfolds is a quiet rebellion — not through violence, but through the simple, radical act of thinking independently.
My favorite quote from the book:
"I am. I think. I will."
- Ayn Rand, Anthem
Questions to ponder:
Does education suffer when individuality is sacrificed?
Should a person's individuality be given to the state?
My review:
This slim dystopian novel is far more unsettling than its size suggests. Anthem strips civilization down to a chilling idea: what happens when the individual disappears entirely? While often compared to Rand’s later works, this story feels more intimate and more frightening precisely because of its simplicity. The rediscovery of “I” feels earned, painful, and necessary. Whether or not one agrees with Rand’s broader philosophy, Anthem is a sharp warning about the cost of surrendering personal agency, and a stark reminder that freedom begins in the mind long before it appears in the world.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
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