Invention In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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If a potential time-saving, efficient invention was created, shouldn’t a community learn to accept the idea no matter the creator nor invention? In the book, Anthem by Ayn Rand, the main character is Equality, 7-2521. Throughout the sequence of the plot, Equality secretly sneaks out to an underground tunnel from the Unmentionable Times to conduct experiments and study things his community will not let him discover. The Council of Scholars is the only one that is allowed to think, gain knowledge, or create anything. After all the experiments down in the subway, he works on abandoned wires and equipment, and he eventually rediscovers electricity and reinvents electric light. Equality designs an invention that will help the beginning of the new era to the reconstruction of the world. This invention is a light bulb. He shows the Council and gets an unwanted response with them threatening to destroy his creation. Discovering the real secrets and truth of his society, he uncovers that his community is wrong, not wanting to evolve, and scared by change in the form of individualism. To begin with, when the Council intimidates Equality to annihilate his discovery, he learns that his society is incorrect by the actions they are a part of. Equality…show more content…
However, the Council is frightened by his invention. By his courageous passion for learning and experimentation, he showed the individualism to come up with something on his own. When the Council threatens to destroy the light bulb, he admits to himself that his society is evil, not wanting to change, and fearful of individualism. Overall, if a useful gift was given to a community, the gift should be used and spread for all to use. If a society ignores very efficient gifts like refrigerators, washing machines, and sinks, in the world today, where would we stand as a
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