In Anthem, the quote "To be free, a man must be free of his brothers" means that true freedom requires independence from the collective control and expectations of society. Examples include the protagonist's realization that he must break away from the oppressive society to achieve intellectual and personal freedom, highlighting the importance of individualism over collectivism.

Equality 7-2521 in Anthem is intelligent, curious, and rebellious. Despite living in a collectivist society that suppresses individuality, he exhibits a strong desire for knowledge and independence. His curiosity leads him to rediscover electricity, and his rebellious nature pushes him to defy societal norms, ultimately seeking freedom and self-discovery.

In Anthem, society obliterates individualism by outlawing personal thoughts, pronouns, and choices. Individuals must seek permission for independent actions, and using "I" is forbidden, replaced by "we." Names are replaced with numbers, and the Council of Vocations assigns roles, often punishing talent by relegating intelligent individuals to menial tasks. Romantic relationships are banned to prevent personal bonds outside the collective.

Equality 7-2521 differs from other men in his society by his height, standing at six feet, which is considered a sin. Unlike others, he has forbidden thoughts, dreams, and a desire for intellectual inquiry, all discouraged in his collectivist society. His character evolves from attempting conformity to secret rebellion, as he seeks knowledge, love, and autonomy. Ultimately, he rejects the oppressive collectivism of his society, embracing individualism and self-determination.

The society in "Anthem" aims to obliterate individual minds and selves by enforcing collectivism, outlawing solitude, and promoting the idea that solitary actions are harmful. Individual thoughts not shared by the group are deemed false, and the mantra "We are one in all and all in one" reinforces this. The council controls all knowledge, inventions, and personal relationships, eliminating personal choice and free will, thus ensuring conformity and suppressing individual identity and freedom.

The theme of Ayn Rand's Anthem revolves around the conflict between collectivism and individualism. In a dystopian world where people are dehumanized and individuality is suppressed, the novella highlights how the absorption of the individual into the collective leads to a loss of creativity and freedom. Despite this oppressive environment, the human spirit's innate drive for freedom and individuality persists, allowing rare individuals to rise above and embrace personal identity and creativity.

Equality does not feel guilty for his "crimes" because he realizes they are not truly crimes. Initially, he struggles with guilt due to societal conditioning, but his love for the Golden One and rediscovery of electricity lead him to embrace individualism. He sees these actions as beneficial rather than harmful. Although he briefly feels guilt for involving others, his pursuit of forbidden knowledge and the joy it brings outweighs any sense of wrongdoing.

In Anthem, Ayn Rand portrays a collectivist society that suppresses individualism and personal identity. This society's focus on collective conformity leads to the stagnation of knowledge and human progress. Rand's work implies that the suppression of individualism is detrimental to mankind's development, advocating instead for the recognition and celebration of individual achievements and personal freedom.

The line emphasizes a central theme of Anthem: the importance of individuality over collectivism. It marks Equality 7-2521's realization of his own identity, contrasting with the oppressive World Society that mandates the use of "We" over "I." This reflects Ayn Rand's critique of groupthink and underscores her belief that individual expression is essential for societal progress. The protagonist's journey culminates in this understanding, symbolizing liberation from collective ideology.

Liberty 5-3000's statement to Equality 7-2521 signifies her recognition of his distinctiveness and preference for him over others in their collectivist society. By saying he is "not one of our brothers," she acknowledges his individuality and their shared sense of being different and special. This mutual recognition leads them to reject societal norms that suppress individuality, ultimately driving Liberty to seek a new life with Equality in defiance of societal laws.

Equality's main motivation for creating his new invention is to uplift his society from ignorance and darkness. Discovering electricity, he believes he can bring progress and "light" to a society that has regressed technologically after a great war. As a street sweeper, his talents are wasted, and he hopes to contribute positively by introducing this knowledge, aiming to improve life for his fellow citizens. However, his efforts are ironically rejected by the society's leaders.

Teachers disapprove of Equality's quick mind because his intelligence and superiority threaten the enforced equality of their society. In Ayn Rand's Anthem, being different or superior is considered a crime because it disrupts the collective ideology that values conformity over individual excellence. Teachers, representing the government's interests, attempt to suppress Equality's individuality to maintain societal order and prevent ambition and inequality from arising.

In "Anthem," Prometheus realizes that true freedom requires independence from societal constraints when he discovers a hidden world and rejects the restrictive laws of his dystopian society. By renaming himself Prometheus and venturing into the Uncharted Forest, he embodies the idea that to be free, one must break away from the oppressive norms of the collective. This journey highlights his transition from a constrained existence to one of self-discovery and autonomy.

Equality is committing a sin by writing because his society values collectivism over individuality, viewing personal expression as a threat. After the Great War, known as the Unmentionable Times, all books and past knowledge were destroyed to maintain this ideology. Writing represents individual thought, which is condemned in a society where everyone must be "equal." Equality's intelligence and curiosity make him different, and his writing challenges the societal belief that the group is more important than the individual.

Equality is driven by a desire to explore his potential beyond societal constraints. His discovery of electricity represents a major motivation, as he believes it can improve life for his community. Despite the illegality of his actions, his intelligence and potential compel him to act. Additionally, Equality seeks individual recognition, feeling troubled by the lack of a personal pronoun to describe himself, highlighting his yearning for personal identity.