Anthem begins, the main character and narrator, Equality 7-2521 confesses a sin. Equality’s world is one horribly different than our own; a world where individualism is forbidden, and human rights are infringed upon in an effort to achieve total equality among mankind. “It is a sin to write this,” is how the novelette Anthem begins. Equality’s sin is writing. In Equalty’s society, writing is a sin, because it is a sign of individualism, and individualism disrupts equality. Thus, individualism is forbidden, and Equality 7-2521 has committed a federal offense. In the beginning of the novelette, Equality’s sense of morality has been skewed by years of brainwashing. However, as the story progresses Equality 7-2521 learns the truth about the evil society in which he lives. Slowly, he learns that individualism is not a bad thing. And as he learns this, his sense of morality changes. Eventually, he is no longer blindly following the beliefs of his society, but he is developing his own individual beliefs. This new sense of individuality leads Equality 7-2521 on his quest to escape the society that has enslaved him, and discover true freedom in a new world where he can be an individual instead of a number. As the novelette comes to an end, Equality 7-2521 no longer believes that writing is a sin. Rather, he embraces literature as a means of learning and expressing his individuality. Through individualism, Equality 7-2521 rediscovers the wonders of invention, science, and technology. In Eqaulity’s society, all these things were destroyed long ago at “The Great Rebirth.” Yet Equality discovers that by breaking away from the enslavement of his society and pursuing personal goals, he can achieve great things. This type of selfishness, in a wonderful paradox, not only fulfills Equality’s need for true meaning and purpose in life, but has the potential to benefit all of mankind with magnificent inventions and discoveries. Yet this type of societal advancement was frowned upon...