Name: ___________________________________

ANTHEM BY AYN RANDBEFORE READING:An anthem is (by definition from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary) a usually rousing popular song that typifies or is identified with a particular subculture, movement, or point of view.

1. Knowing this definition, what do you think this novella might be about? OR How might this definition relate to the novel?

2. What would you consider to be the anthem for your generation? Explain. Your response should be AT LEAST 5 SENTENCES.

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Name: ___________________________________

Chapter I:1. Who is Equality 7-2521? What kind of world does he live in?

2. What evidence do we have so far that this novella takes place in a collectivist society?

3. How is Equality 7-2521 different from his brothers? Why might this be bad? Why might it be good?

4. What is Equality 7-2521’s job? What job did he hope to be assigned?

5. What does the main character find while he’s working at his job, and why doesn’t he report this finding?

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Name: ___________________________________

6. What are some similarities between Equality and Winston Smith (the protagonist in 1984)?

Chapter II:1. Who does Equality meet while he is out working? What is the job of the person he meets?

2. Equality renames the person he meets. What does he name her?

3. Why does Equality think that his brothers aren’t happy? How does fear have the ability to impact one’s happiness?

4. From your reading so far, discuss what you have already found interesting about Equality 7-2521.

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Name: ___________________________________

Chapters III & IV:1. What does Equality discover while he is in his tunnel?

2. What name does The Golden One give to Equality?

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Name: ___________________________________

Chapters V and VI:1. Where does Equality want to take his discovery?

2. What might the light Equality discovers represent or be symbolic of? Please explain your answer in several well-organized sentences.

3. “For our gift is greater than our transgression” (Rand 61). What does Equality mean? A transgression is a sin or violation. Why is Equality’s creation of light a transgression against society? Why does he think the gift of light would make his transgression forgivable? Why does it do the opposite? Explain your answer in AT LEAST 5 SENTENCES.

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Name: ___________________________________

4. Why are people in Equality’s society forbidden from seeing their own image? Is this part of a collectivist society, in which the individual is hated but the group is revered? If so, why might seeing one’s own reflection be a bad thing?

5. What happens to Equality after he makes his discovery (Where is he taken and what happens to him there?)?

6. Why doesn’t Equality know what the “drops of red twinkling on the stones” (Rand 65) were (What are the “drops of red twinkling)?

7. Why is it necessary for Equality to escape when he does?

8. Why is the Palace of Correction so poorly guarded and protected?

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Name: ___________________________________

Chapter VII:1. Why is the World Council of Scholars angry with Equality 7-2521 for creating light?

What is the real issue?

2. Collective 0-0009 says, “What is not thought by all men cannot be true” (Rand 73). What does this mean? Why does he say this? Do you agree? Your explanation should be AT LEAST 5 SENTENCES.

Chapter VIII:1. Why is Equality’s first sight of his reflection such a big deal? How did he react when

he saw his reflection for the first time? What did he see in his own face, which is different from the faces of his brothers?

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Name: ___________________________________

Self-Portrait/Embracing Individuality:At times our appearance is linked to our identity. It’s how people recognize us, and how we recognize ourselves. In Chapter 8, Equality sees his reflection for the first time and recalls this moment:

We sat still and we held our breath. For our face and our body were beautiful. Our face was not like the faces of our brothers, for we felt no pity when looking upon it. Our body was not like the bodies of our brothers, for our limbs were straight and thin and hard and strong. And we thought that we could trust this being who looked upon us from the stream, and that we had nothing to fear with this being. (Rand 80)

Draw a self-portrait of yourself, or draw symbols that represent you, including things that make you unique from others. Have fun with this. At the bottom of the picture, write a few words or sentences about what makes you unique from anyone else.

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Name: ___________________________________

Chapter IX:1. Why does Liberty 5-3000 think that Equality is better than his brothers? Why is this

considered evil in their society?

2. How is arrogance treated in our society? How is this different than the society Equality and Liberty live in?

3. What word do you think Liberty struggling to find at the end of Chapter 9?

Chapter X:1. Why is Equality 7-2521 too excited to sleep?

2. What was life like during the “Unmentionable Times”?9

Name: ___________________________________

Chapter XI:1. Why was the word “I” forbidden in Equality’s society? Do you agree with this

reasoning? Explain.

2. “I am. I think. I will” (Rand 94). What is the significance of those words in this chapters? Explain.

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Name: ___________________________________

Chapter XII:1. Why does Equality believe people require names? What names does he suggest for

himself and Liberty? Why does he choose these names?

2. How has Equality 7-2521 changed throughout the course of the story? How has he remained the same?

3. What events have helped Equality 7-2521’s character develop?

4. Equality says, “But I still wonder how it was possible, in those graceless years of transition, long ago, that men did not see whither they were going, and went on, in blindness and cowardice, to their fate” (Rand 103). How are Equality’s former brothers blind? What makes them cowards? Your explanation should be AT LEAST 5 SENTENCES.

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Name: ___________________________________

5. What is the sacred word, and why is it so important? How is the dictionary definition of this word different from the meaning we associate with this word today?

What’s in a Name?For each character listed below, look up the dictionary definition of the word, and then explain the significance of each name. Consider why Rand would have chosen these names.

Name Dictionary Definition Significance of the Name

Equality

Liberty

Unconquered

The Golden One

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Similarity

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Name: ___________________________________

Unanimity

Solidarity

Character Development ChartIn class, as we read and discuss changes that characters in Anthem undergo, we will complete this chart. At the end of the unit, you will answer the following questions: How has Equality 7-2521 changed throughout the course of the story? How has he remained the same? What events have helped Equality 7-2521’s character develop?

What do you notice is peculiar about Equality 7-2521? How is he

different from his brothers?

How is Equality 7-2521 changing? How does Equality 7-2521 interact with others?

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Name: ___________________________________

Titling the Chapters:The chapters for Anthem are not titled, and are simply marked with Roman Numerals. Choose a title for each chapter and write a brief explanation of why you chose the title you did.

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Chapter II : ________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter V : ________________________________________________________________________________

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Name: ___________________________________

Chapter VI : ________________________________________________________________________________

Explanation: _______________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter VII : _______________________________________________________________________________

Explanation: _______________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter VIII : _______________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter IX : ________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter X : ________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter XI : ________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter XII : _______________________________________________________________________________

Explanation: _______________________________________________________________________________

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Name: ___________________________________

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Creative Journal Assignments:Imagine that your name and identity has been taken away by the government, and replaced with a number. You are removed from your home and family, and assigned a mindless job. You are told that you can only interact with those who share your job, and you are instructed to give up all the things you love that make you unique.

As we read Anthem, you will complete a series of journal entries in this persona that explore what happens when individuality is replaced with commonality.

Each journal entry must be AT LEAST one page (typed or handwritten), and answer the journal prompt thoroughly.

The scoring criteria for the journal entries is listed below.

Trait 4 3 2 1 Self-Score

Score

Introducing

Narrator and

Characters

The text introduces a narrator and/or complex characters.

It establishes introduces a narrator and/or developed characters.

It introduces a narrator and/ or underdeveloped characters.

It has an unclear underdeveloped narrator and/or characters.

Trait 4 3 2 1 Self-Score

Score

Ideas and

content

The thoroughly answers each journal prompt, and provides a detailed explanation. The writer goes above and beyond and doesn’t leave the reader guessing.

The text answers the journal prompt and gives detailed explanation.

The text attempts to address the journal prompt, but explanation is lacking.

The text lacks explanation.

Trait 4 3 2 1 Self-Score

Score

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Name: ___________________________________

Word Choice

The text uses eloquent words and phrases, showing details and rich sensory language and mood to convey a realistic picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.

The text uses words and phrases, telling details and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.

The text uses words and phrases and telling details to convey experiences, events, settings, and/or characters.

The text merely tells about experiences, events, settings, and/or characters.

Trait 4 3 2 1 Self-Score

Score

Conventions

The text intentionally uses standard English conventions of usage and mechanics. No errors

The text demonstrates standard English conventions of usage and mechanics. 1-2 errors.

The text demonstrates some accuracy in standard English conventions of usage and mechanics. 3-4 errors.

The text illustrates inaccuracy in standard English conventions of usage and mechanics. 5 or more errors

Journal Prompts:

Prompt 1: It has been a week since your identity was removed. What do you miss most about your old life and self? How is your new life different?

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Prompt 2: You have been forbidden to use the word “I,” and you must instead use the word “we” in its place. How does this make you feel? What does this change for you?

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Prompt 3: What is your description of a perfect world? What rules/expectations, orders, etc. would be included?

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Prompt 4: You have decided to escape and reclaim your individuality. Why have you decided to go off on your own?

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