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Juan Motta
Ms. Erickson
English 9
September 21, 2012
Gloom of Fear
Fear is more than just a feeling. It is a weapon. A weapon that can control, dominate, and terrorize. It is the destructor of achievement, and is only surpassed by the light of understanding. In Anthem by Ayn Rand, fear is used by the Leaders of Society to be in command of the people, erase all hope and enslave their minds andbodies.
Since the period of the Great Rebirth, a past time of social collapse where all singular and individualist ideas were wiped out, there has existed a dystopian, collectivist society, controlled mainly through the use of fear. This fear, imposed by The World Council, enables them to monitor and manipulate people’s every move and thought in this society. Here lives Equality 7-2521, and he isdifferent than his fellow people. Since this great period, the Councils of Society have been in total control of society, in order to have “stability and equality” in the world. They make all he decisions, and set many boundaries for the people, “For men may wish nothing for themselves” (Rand 24). This is important because when man shows preference, he shows individuality, which would make himfeel the need to use the word “I”. The Council, on the other hand, exerts itself so things do not get out of control. To achieve and maintain this total control, they must systematize and brainwash everyone to therefore, “enslave” their minds. That way, when in total control over someone, there are possibilities of are able to inflict many ideas. But they must also constantly remind them of what theyare supposed to be “We strive to be like all our brother men, for all men must be alike” (Rand 19). This is important because, the people in Anthem are obligated to never think individually. But no matter how much anyone can try, no one will ever be able to sustain a utopian world.
In Anthem, fear is a very important factor. No other object can be used in the way fear is used. According to thenovella, The Unmentionable Times were a period of commotion and hostility. The World Council constantly reminds the people of how discordant these times were and how it is forbidden to talk about these times; this made the people fear these times and subsequently never talk about them. Even worse offense was speaking the Unspeakable Word, a crime unlike any other. This offense was rarely committed,“But when they speak it they must be put to death. There is no crime punished by death in this world, save this one crime of speaking the Unspeakable Word” (Rand 49). This demonstrates the magnitude of fear that the Leaders of Society use in order to maintain power and control. One example of this is a man burned alive for committing this Transgression. But that man felt no pain inside, since he wasproud of having the knowledge that no one else had, a pride worth dying for. The Great Rebirth left a trace of mysteries, mysteries lost to the world, hidden in the darkest corners. One of these was the infamous Uncharted Forest, which caught Equality 7-2521’s attention. Probably in a form of temptation, Equality 7-2521 narrates: “We do not want to look upon the Uncharted Forest. We do not wishto think of it. But ever do our eyes return to that black patch upon the sky. Men never enter the Uncharted Forest, for there is no power to explore it and no path to lead among its ancient trees which stand as guards of fearful secrets” (Rand 47-48). This led to Equality 7-2521’s growing curiosity of the forest, and the temptation of entering and exploring its secrets. He eventually entered withthe Golden One to restart the collapsed world that fell apart in hands of the collectivists.
The collectivist society in Anthem is a very oblivious society. The vast majority of the people never break the laws, and in turn, they are familiar with being commanded and following the rules. They are unaware of their surroundings, so they are only familiar with their obedience, and just a command...