Friday, January 7, 2011

Ayn Rand Powerpoint: Some Extra Tidbits

View the following Powerpoint. The information provided will be very valuable in constructing future essays and discussions.

PPT Link:

Anthem Essay Contest 2010

All Honors students will be required to enter the Essay Contest through the Ayn Ran Institute.

Visit the link below to read the rules, essay options, and entry dates. In order to recieve credit for this assignment, you will have to print your submition email and a copy of your essay. This assignment is worth 100 points.

Essay Conest Website

Anthem Essay Exam

Respond to each essay in a 1x5 format using specific examples and details from the novel. Regular English mods, respond to 3 of the choices.

Honors mod respond to three of the questions as well; however, write a 2x5 response. Also, Honors students will chose one essay option that they did not respond to in the exam to give a "Keynote Speaker" address to the class.

Essay Options

1- In many real and fictionalized totalitarian societies, children live apart from their families. Why would dictatorial leaders enforce this living arrangement?

2- What does Equality finally understand about his society when the Council threatens to destroy his invention?
Contrast Equality’s view of morality at the end of the novel to that of his society.

3- At first glance, most characters in Anthem appear to be near-automatons, blindly conforming to the rest of society. Upon closer study, however, we see that all of the characters in Anthem—Equality, International, Liberty, the Council members, everyone—make choices and decisions that affect their lives and their futures, for better or for worse. In short, they all possess the choice to think or not, and that choice determines everything else. Discuss.

4- Many people blame their hardships, poverty, or unhappiness on external conditions. “It’s not my fault,” they cry, “it’s because of the family, class, race, society, or culture into which I was born!” They believe that outside factors control and determine their lives. Use Equality as an example to refute this deterministic view of man.

5- Anthem is a heroic and inspiring story about the triumph of the individual’s independent spirit. Even though, at the end of the novel, Equality is greatly outnumbered, and modern society lies in ruins, it is a story of liberation and hope—not of despair. Discuss.

6- Aside from very rare exceptions (Equality, the Saint at the Pyre) there is literally no opposition to the leaders in this society. Why is this? What ideas must these men have accepted to live a life of obedience, drudgery, and fear?

7- Anthem’s theme is, in Ayn Rand’s own words, “the meaning of man’s ego.” Explain the ways in which the characters and plot in Anthem illustrate this theme.

8- To fully control a man, dictators must not only enslave his body, but also destroy his mind. Discuss how the leaders in Anthem seek to accomplish this tyrannical end.

Anthem: Chapter 12

Respond to all of the questions below.


2- What does Equality plan to do in the future?

3- What is the sacred word that Equality says he will cut above the doors and print on his banners?

Honors' Discussion Prompt
In your own words define Equality’s sacred word. If you were in Equality's situation what would be your sacred word? Why?

Anthem: Chapter 11

Respond to 2 of the 4 questions below.

1- What great discovery does Equality make in this chapter?

2- What does Equality now realize is the proper goal and purpose of his life?

3- Using examples from the text, explain in what ways “I” is like a God?


Honors' Discussion Prompt
Explain the following quotes in your own words:

How can these quotes be applied to your life?

Anthem: Chapter 10

Respond to the question below.


Honors' Disscussion Prompt
Describe the symbolic value of the house and its contents. Perform a close reading of this chapter.

Anthem: Chapter 9

Respond to the questions below.



Honors' Discussion Prompt
In this chapter, Equality questions the morality of his former society. Contrast what he was previously taught about solitude, good, evil and joy to what he now believes. What events have brought him to this belief system? Do you agree with/ like his progression of thought? Explain your opinion.