Anthem is a dystopian fiction novella by Ayn Rand, written in 1937 and first published in 1938 in England. It takes place at some unspecified future date when mankind has entered another dark age characterized by irrationality, collectivism, and socialistic thinking and economics. 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" is punishable by death).

Characters

Equality 7-2521 is described as "six feet tall, 21 year old male". According to The New Ayn Rand Companion, Equality 7-2521 experiments with electricity to become a literal and figurative bringer of light, similar to Prometheus. He is named "The Unconquered" by Liberty 5-3000, and also named himself Prometheus. Liberty 5-3000 is the love interest of Equality 7-2521. She is described as being "brave and single-minded. Her eyes are dark and project a hard, glowing, and fearless quality. She knows no guilt" (Gladstein, 1995, p. 52). She is named "The Golden One" and Gaea by Equality.

Awards

The Libertarian Futurist Society awarded Anthem its Hall of Fame Award in 1987. In 2014, Anthem was nominated for a Retrospective Hugo Award for "Best Novella".