BY AYN RAND ANTHEM

GENRE Dystopian fiction novella Utopian fiction is the creation of an ideal society, or utopia, as the setting for a novel. Dystopian fiction is the opposite: creation of an utterly horrible or degraded society, or dystopia. Utopias and dystopias explore social and political structures. A novella is a term applied when it is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. It also has fewer conflicts.

ABOUT THE NOVEL Written in 1937 First published in 1938 in England It takes place at some unspecified future date when mankind has entered another dark age. The dystopian society in Anthem is centered around collectivism and socialism. Technological advancement is now carefully planned (when it is allowed to occur at all) and the concept of individuality has been eliminated (for example, the use of the word "I" or "Ego" is punishable by death).

COLLECTIVISM: any philosophic, political, religious, economic, or social outlook that emphasizes the interdependence (opposite of independence) of every human being. Opposite of individualism. Stresses the priority of group goals over individual goals and the importance of cohesion within social groups.

SOCIALISTIC THINKING: an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy. In Anthem, social ownership refers to the fact that the only things produced/invented are for the people to use, not for people to sell and make money.

STRUCTURE It is told from first person point of view; the narrator is the main character writing about his experiences after/as they happen. Although it is first person, the main character refers to himself as “we”. The society he lives in has erased words like “I”, “me”, and “my” because they believe that individuality is dangerous to society. It is confusing at first but you’ll get the hang of it.