ANTHEM

A theme represented in this novel is the idea that peace and unity can only be obtained by conformiy. Eliminating the differences that weed up into our society allows us all to be relatively happy, or so the novel tries to project to the reader. In reality, though, this idea of conforming so that there will be nothing to stress or disagree over leads to very unmotivated, horribly boring, and content (not happy) people. To remove individuality from society is to remove life because what is the point of living if you can not think or be yourself.
Anybody who enjoys the movie, The Pursuit of Happiness, will know that it is not the state of being happy and ultimately successful that makes a person have a fulfilling life. Rather it is that pursuit, the determination that one has to make their lives better or strive for me, that makes the happiness all worth it. The importance is the struggle and how hard you tried which makes the product so much more worth it. Yet, in Anthem, they remove that determination from society. They make everyone's rules and decisions for them. They think you will fit this job description, well that is what you are going to be and you will be happy. They do not allow people that independance to make themselves happy. They do it for them but in doing so, they create false, content people.

One important quote I pull from this story is found on pages 95-96, in which (the new named) Prometheus states, "I do not surrender my treasures, nor do I share them. The fortune of my spirit is not to be blown into coins of brass and flung to the winds as alms for the poor of the spirit. I guard my treasures: my thought, my will, my freedom... I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debt from them. I ask none to live for me, nor do I live for any others."
I think this is a critical line, not only for our character, but for people in general. Often we let others have an effect on our life for several various reasons: we think they owe us, we owe them, or we simply need the love or admiration of others to get through our days. Although, some love and paying off debts is all right, we need to lose the attitude that in order to be happy and survive, we need other's ideas, thoughts, and actions to guide ours. We need to live for ourselves. We need to live for our individual pursuit of happiness. We have to take our faults and fortunes and accept them as our own, nobody else's. In this segment of the story, Prometheus loses the idea of "we did" and finds "I did" or me. He discovers his individuality.

Although, it was hard for me to stay focused on this book, I thought it had a good message. I especially got into it at the end when Prometheus and the Golden One escaped and started meaningful lives together. They want purpose in their lives and they want to feel whatever their emotions lead them to feel. This story shows motivation and preserverance, even when the odds are against you, which I find admirable.