A Waste of Typing When I Could Copy...

Chapter 2:
“‘Indeed you are happy,’ they answered. ‘How else can men be happy when they live for their brothers?’” -Ch. 2, p. 45

Throughout the book, Equality 7-2521 has been fighting the ways of this society. And because he is the main character he is the embodiment of Objectivism. Therefore, this quote represents the exact opposite of Ayn Rand’s ideal philosophy. So, if I was to take this quote apart and turn it into a converse statement, it would be something like this: “‘Indeed you are sad,’ they answered. ‘How else can men be happy if they live for their brothers?’” The exact meaning of Objectivism, then, is that men must live for themselves and only themselves to be happy.

Chapter 3:
“The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who will seek them.” -Ch. 3, p.52
This passage is a demonstration of how some people expect things to come for them without working for it. There is an old saying, “Every man for himself.” This saying really ties in with the passage that I chose for chapter three because the main idea is for a person to go out in the world and fight for what he wants. Supposedly, what he wants should make him happy, and he shouldn’t expect anyone to be ambitious for him. This quote really stood out to me because Objectivism is the philosophy in which one has an objective, or reason, to do something, and being ambitious is a good reason. Therefore, it is my opinion that this quote is an explanation of Objectivism.

Chapter 4:
“For we did not understand what made us do this, and we were afraid to understand it.” -Ch. 4, p. 58

In this passage, Equality 7-2521 reveals that he does not understand something and he chooses not to understand it. He has a reason, or objective, and it is because he is afraid. This quote, like the others, is an example of Objectivism at work. I think that Objectivism is basically being an independent person who works hard to fight for his or her place in the world. The passage above really highlights this idea in that it shows someone being an individual who makes decisions for himself.

Chapter 6:
“Tomorrow we shall be one of you again.” -Ch. 6, p. 67

Equality 7-2521, when thinking this, wished to become one of his brothers. At this point in the story, Equality 7-2521 is getting more careless and is leaving “tracks.” He realizes it, so he longs to finally become one of his brothers, because he thinks that it will benefit him and the community. This is a key quote in Anthem because this is the first time that Equality 7-2521 was certain that he would become one of his brothers. In Objectivism, certainty is key. You have to be certain that A is A and B is B. Those are the facts. But under different circumstances, perhaps in a different society, certainty would be enough. But in this society, everything is very biased, and one’s chances at certainty are very limited.

Chapter 11:
“I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being, I am the warrant and I am the sanction.” -Ch. 11, p. 94

Prometheus has discovered the answer to his problems. The word “I” is now in his vocabulary, and it was the answer to his questions and problems. Prometheus wondered what his reason for being alive was and he wondered who had authorized his existence. When he discovered the word “I,” he knew that he was the reason for his existence, and that if he wanted to, he could end his very existence. It was all up to him, not someone else, not some greater force that he couldn’t control. He could have died, but he chose to live, so he is his own authorization. He didn’t need anyone to define him, and that is what I believe Objectivism is.

La Secret Rendezvous

The Council Members conversed quietly , although their low tones carried in the spacious hall, the Meeting Hall. They talked excitedly, talking about an event that was phenomenal. Who would have thought that such regal and high members of such a sophisticated society would be riveted by something so bold and vulgar...

"Silence! This meeting is now called to order," a single voice boomed out against the others, radiating authority. The voice belonged to none other than the man that the world recognized as Collective 0-0009.
An eerie silence followed, broken by a deep voice attached to Fraternity 9-3452. " Come on, Albert. Clearly, everyone here knows that this an urgent matter. But we do need a break before deciding what to do! Am I right or am I right?"
A sweet, cherry voice spoke out, " I agree with Pierre. You really should lighten up, Einstein."
" I propose that you be quiet for once, Marie. Honestly, you would think that the Curies, of all people would take this seriously," Albert Einstein boomed.
Marie Curie stood up in protest, ready to defend whatever little honor she had."You do not know us well enough to say that! How dare you, you rotten scoundrel!"

"Can we please just get on with this? We have urgent matters to discuss, and their is no time for bickering amongst each other. Our very organization is at stake!" a small voice squeaked. Everyone heard it and turned toward International 1-5537, or, as the Organization so fondly dubbed her, Mary Somerville. It was so unusual for her to say something like this that everyone suddenly knew that she meant what she said; this was serious business. The Scholars got their act together and discussed the business that lay before them.

"As you all know, a young man approached us today, carrying with him a frightening contraption from the Golden Days. Although the outside world does not know that the meeting was actually one to discuss our findings on the virtues of the Golden Times, this guy, Equality managed to find out our secrets. Maybe he's a spy. Whatever happens, we must deal with this bug, even though he presented a great invention. Great improvising, by the way, you guys. Really had me. Anyway, it is time to ring the bell, for we have amongst us a snake." And with that, Albert Einstein drew the meeting to an end.

The Rigorous Assignment: A Description of a Description of the Failure of Mankind

The two person line took way too long to go through. The librarian drawled on in her unappealing American accent about the fundamentals of the summer assignment that all Honors 9 English students had to complete. Finally, the line started to budge, and I moved forward, a total conformist to the JRMS's rules. I tuned into what the librarian was saying, and grabbed the book. ANTHEM, by Ayn Rand. I remember thinking to myself that the title was an unusual one. LAter that day, when I got home, I reread the directions to my summer assignment, a punishment for being a total genius:
Ayn Rand's novel was based on the customs of a Dystopian society, our world in the future. I was to read the novel, keeping an eye out for any quote that hinted at Rand's philosophy, Objectivism. After reading the novella, I was supposed to find twelve quotes, one for each chapter, that highlighted the theme or the main points of Ayn Rand's philosophy. Of course, I had to explain the quotes, but this was kind of difficult in some sense. It was easy for the translation to be lost in some areas of the text if only because there was limited use of personal pronouns. For example, instead of the term "I," the main character, Equality 7-2521 (I did in fact memorize this) used the term, "we." Anyway, the explanation of the quote featured several factors: our standpoint on the philosophy, the reason the quote fits into our established definition of Objectivism, etc. Then we turned it in.

The Chronicles of Tracy Yang: And so she waits.....

for a life. As Tracy sits alone at the table reserved for the truly unnerdalicious nerdlings, a shadow approaches. Tracy turns around and screams, it was hard for anyone who didn't know her to fathom how such a shrill sound came out at such a loud volume from such a little creature. Several uninterested upperclassmen turn towards the source of the shriek, their faces grim with loathing. Freshmen are so loud! Tracy's eyes, wide with admiration as she recognized the creature before her to be her one and only friend.  Tracy jumped up and squeezed the unsuspecting victim in a tight bear hug. 

"NISA!! OMG!! I LOVE YOU!! I love you so much!" she screamed. Again, the upperclassmen turned, a little more interested, if not annoyed. The little girl was unnerving. Surely she was not related to the ambitious Rachel Yang. They turned around again, already bored of the awkward scene. Nisa tapped Tracy lightly on the shoulder, afraid to scare the misfit away. 

"Tracy... er, let go of me."

Tracy reluctantly let go of her captive, and Nisa sat down, already tired of the new year.

Freshchick at last!

August 25 of 2008 was destined to be the best and most important day in the history of the universe. It was the day that I was destined to be a freshchick (courtesy of Evelyn Zumbado's creative mind). It was a starting point for an oppurtunity to make new friends, make fun of teachers, establish a status quo, blah blah. During summer break, my friends and I established a meeting place so that we could compared our schedules. Apparently, all the bad things I did over the summer had consequences, and I was never to see my friends at lunch. When the bell rang for class, we freshchicks hurried to our classes, afraid that we were destined to be lost. Although I am grateful for the schedule we had that first day, I was very confused at that time. When were we allowed to eat lunch, after school? Members of the Link Crew wearing bright pink shirts helped out the ones that were lost (definitely not me?), and the first day went by smoothly.
It was fun. It was not what I expected, but it was fun all the same. There were no bullies... But there were no lowerclassmen to push around. I felt myself missing the seventh graders! Even so, I was glad to be in an atmosphere where I was allowed to wear jeans and have school spirit, two completely different things. Later that day, after volleyball practice, I went home dazed... what a totally whackalicious day! NeRDALiCiOUS!