Anthem Reading Questions

Be sure to answer all parts of the questions in complete sentences. Incomplete sentences will not be graded. Each question is worth 2 points. Please number the questions. Chapter 1: Pages 11-36 1. What is the setting of the story? Does it take place in the past, present or future? How do you know? 2. To help create setting, Ayn Rand uses color imagery. Find two examples in the chapter. What colors does the author use? What image do you think is she trying to convey? 3. The first page of Anthem begins, It is a sin to write this. Using textual evidence, explain why Equality is committing a sin when he writes. 4. Why does Equality refer to himself as we? 5. Equality describes himself as having a curse. What is that curse? 6. Ayn Rand wanted Equality 7-2521 to stand out from his brothers. Explain how she accomplished this by contrasting Equality 7-2521s physical attributes to those of his fellow men. 7. Why do Equalitys teachers disapprove of his quick mind? 8. What is the purpose for the Council of Vocation to assign jobs? 9. Why does the Council of Vocations assign Equality the job of street sweeper? Is it due to error, incompetence, or a more sinister motivation? Explain. 10. In this chapter, Equality 7-2521 states that it is very unusual for men to reach the age of 45. Why do you think this is? 11. Equality has identified a number of transgressions that he is guilty of. Name three of them. 12. Would you want to be friends with someone like Equality? Why or why not? 13. At this point in the novel, does Equality accept the moral teachings of his society? If so, why doesnt he feel shame or remorse when he knows that he is committing a crime? Find textual evidence to support your answer. 14. Describe the society in which Anthem is set. Some areas to consider are the political structure, degree of technology, social relationships, quality of life, and education. Would you want to live in this society? Explain why or why not. Chapter 2: Pages 37-53 1. Define: Reprimand 2. Describe Liberty 5-3000 3. How does the narrator notice Liberty 5-3000 and learn the name? 4. What new sin does the narrator admit to committing? 5. What are the Time of Mating and the Palace of Mating? 6. What happens when the narrator speaks to the Golden One? What do they want to prevent? 7. Why is the narrator reprimanded? 8. How are the narrators brothers described? Explain/Identify the following: The Uncharted Forest The Unmentionable Times Evil Ones Dawn of the Great Rebirth Unspeakable Word

9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

14. What crime had the Transgressor committed? What happened to him? 15. What did the narrator think of the Transgressor? Chapter Three: Pages 54-57 1. Define: Brine 2. What is the new power of nature the narrator has discovered? 3. How did he discover it? 4. Why does the narrator say he is alone to know it? 5. What else does the narrator find underground? Chapter Four: Pages 58-62 1. What names do Equality and Liberty give each other? 2. What other term does Equality use? How does Liberty react to the name? Why? 3. What happens as Equality drinks from Libertys hands? What do they not understand? Why do you think this is frightening to them? Chapter 5: Pages 63-67 1. What has Equality discovered? Why is this discovery powerful and exciting? 2. What does Equality feel he must do with his discovery? What does he expect to happen? 3. In what ways does Equality begin to show a concern for himself? 4. In what ways could Equalitys discovery be considered symbolic? What does the discovery represent beyond what it actually is? Do you think Equalitys plan will succeed? Why or why not? Chapter 6: Pages 68-74 1. How does Equality get in trouble? What is his sentence? 2. What is the flaming grill he describes? What else does it resemble? 3. How does he not betray the light? 4. Why must Equality escape from the Palace of Corrective Detention? Why is this easy to do? 5. Where does he go? What will happen tomorrow? Chapter 7: Pages 75-86 1. Define infamy 2. Define solitude 3. Define tunic 4. What happens when Equality introduces himself to the Council of Scholars? How does he get their attention? 5. How do the members of the Council react to Equalitys demonstration? What good does Equality promise that the box will bring to all men? How do they respond? 6. What specific objection is raised by: Collective 0-0009 Fraternity 9-3452 International 1-5537 Harmony 9-2642 Unanimity 2-9913 Similarity 5-0306 7. What do the council members order to be done with the box? What does Equality do? 8. How is Equality doomed? Why is he not concerned?

9. What is his first and only painful thought? Why does he wish to be forgotten? Chapter 8: Pages 87-90 List and explain three wonders Equality experiences on his first day in the Uncharted Forest 1. 2. 3. 4. What does he remember at the end of the day? What is his reaction? For what reasons is this surprising, unusual, or unexpected? Chapter 9: Pages 91-99 1. What does Equality discover on the second day in the Uncharted Forest? What explanation is given? 2. What is the Golden Ones wish? 3. What joy does Equality experience? 4. How does Equality survive in the forest? What seems to be his attitude about his life? 5. What does life in the forest teach Equality to doubt? 6. What problem with language do Equality and the Golden One have at the end of the chapter? Why do you think the Golden Ones words seem inadequate? Why are the Golden One and Equality torn? Chapter 10: Pages 100-107 1. Where do Equality and the Golden One find themselves? How did they get there? 2. What do they find odd or surprising about: a. The house b. The rooms c. Garments d. Manuscripts 3. What thought do Equality and the Golden One both have about the place? 4. What does the world seem to be saying about Equality? Chapter 11: Pages 108-113 1. What is the meaning of things for which Equality has been searching? 2. What is now his goal or purpose? 3. In what ways will Equalitys life be different than the way it was in the collective society? 4. What word does Equality feel must never be placed first in mans soul? Wy? 5. What is the god Equality recognizes now? Chapter 12: Pages 114-123 1. How does Equality learn of I? 2. What does the Golden One say upon learning of I? 3. What new name does Equality give himself? Why do you think he chooses it? 4. What new name does Equality give the Golden One? Why? 5. Whom does the narrator recall? 6. What does the narrator plan to do? 7. What historical changes in society and in mans beliefs does Equality wonder about? 8. What sacred word will the narrator cut in stone?