Transcript Introduction to Ayn Rand and Anthem - MsEdwards

Introduction to Ayn Rand and
Anthem
Ayn Rand (1905 – 1982)
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Born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1905
Taught herself to read at age 5
Began writing fiction at age 9
Graduated from college in 1924, having
focused on philosophy and history in her
studies.
Traveled to the U.S. in 1926 to pursue a
career as a screenwriter in Hollywood.
With various minor successes in Hollywood,
she began writing novels in the early 1930s.
Ayn Rand’s political views
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Fiercely opposed to the collectivism of
Russian society.
◦ 1917 Bolshevik Revolution
◦ Communist confiscation of her father’s
property led to near starvation on a number
of occasions.
◦ Loss of academic freedom under Communist
rule
◦ Supported American ideals of freedom, selfinterest, and capitalism.
Ayn Rand’s political views, part 2
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Objectivism: Reality exists, separate from human
consciousness, and humans only understand reality through
sensory perceptions.
◦ This reality can only be understood through the individual lens;
that is, each person can only understand his/her senses and has a
moral obligation to pursue his/her own happiness.
 Morality is individual. Man must choose his own values and standards and
follow that for his own self-interest.
◦ Reality involves reason; we must face facts at all time and accept
them as they are, no matter how pleasant or unpleasant they
may be.
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Laissez –faire capitalism is the best form of government. This
is a form of government in which economic systems and
markets are allowed to do whatever they will do, without
government control or intervention. It is the most free form
of government and economic system.
◦ It is, according to Rand, a system of individual rights.
Ayn Rand’s novels
We the Living: rejected by a number of publishers
until 1936, this was mostly autobiographical,
focusing on life under Soviet tyranny.
 The Fountainhead: published in 1943, this novel
was initially rejected by twelve publishers. This
novel focuses on the benefits of individualism.
 Atlas Shrugged: A work of intellectual mystery, that
integrated her entire philosophy into various
characters who were to be considered heroic.
This was published in 1957.
 Anthem (1938)
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Anthem (1938)
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Anti-collectivist novella
Tells the story of one man’s rebellion against a
totalitarian society.
The main character’s name is Equality-7-2521
The unpardonable crime is independent thought
The word “I” has been banished from this society that
has repressed all manner of individualism, individual
rights, and individual freedoms.
The novella also considers the meaning and glory of
man’s ego and man’s power as an individual.
Unique style; written as a prose poem, almost as an
anthem or ode to man’s ego.
All information derived from the Ayn Rand
Institute Teacher’s Handbook,
aynrandeducation.org, and aynrand.org