In the book Ayn Rand, the reader comes face to face with a society that is crippled with the human nature that considers individualism as sin. The protagonist of the story Equality 7-2521 goes on to question the spirit of collectivism which seems to be liked by a majority in his society. He goes on to say that his individualism has driven him and those with like minds to thoughts that are forbidden (1.6). According to him, the individual can never succeed unless he works together with others. Even when faced with a society that is crippled with collectivism, Equality 7-2521 stood up for what he believed in even if it meant that the government/council was not happy. His society does not recognize the individual even when they make discoveries which are meant to benefit a wider majority. Equality 7-2521 went against the rules to make a discovery in the absence of his brothers and sisters who were supposed to supervise him. To this regard, the individual is never recognized and is deprived of their independence and freedom to do as they please even if it benefits their society.
In a healthy society, individual effort is highly appreciated and is welcome. It is this individual effort that has led to several discoveries and inventions that society is enjoying. Under normal circumstances, the discovery such as that of Equality 7- 2521 could have been taken seriously and supported because it is meant to help improve living standards. It is a sad occurrence that the council takes offence and goes on to punish inventors instead of recognizing and appreciating them. A healthy society ought to encourage its members, whether at individual level or in a collective way to work towards making life better. The effort of all people is supposed to make life easier. It is for this reason that the society created by Rand is faulted for not allowing individual effort and expression
In the society Equality 7-2521 lives in, it becomes apparent that if the individual is given a chance, so many inventions can come up for the good of everyone. But it is rule that no one can work as an individual and is expected to always work together with others. If only the individual is given room then so much is destined to change. This cannot happen because anyone who breaks away from the norm is not acceptable in this society. Equality is forced to flee with his invention, electricity which he discovered in the tunnel simply because it is unacceptable for him to have done that in isolation. The power of the collective majority prevails and he is forced to flee lest he suffers the same fate as the Transgressor who discovered the word “I”.
In her other works such as The Fountainhead, Rand puts much focus on the individual identity of an individual. The energy that flows from an individual can be termed as a power that is comparable to a reservoir that that brings forth the heart’s desire. It is this same reservoir that is the driving force of Equality. Individual power and stimulation can overpower the strength of a multitude and hence, bring forth results that a multitude cannot produce. Collectivism might be seen as stronger than individualism but the opposite is true. Equality may have been a lone ranger but there was so much to his name than “We”. It is against this background that individualism overpowers collectivism.
A society cannot assume the efforts of the individual in any way. If any society wants to prosper, it is supposed to support individual discoveries because they are meant to benefit society anyway. It should not matter that others have not been involved. Whether it is individualism or collectivism, a society should thrive in both as long as the lives of its citizens are made better by the inventions that may arise from both. There is no better system of the two. Either of them is good by their own rights because at the end of the day, everyone will benefit. The two have their advantages and disadvantages and as long as they are set to benefit society, it should not be a problem about which one is better than the other. When all factors are held constant, a society that appreciates collectivism and individual effort is better than the one created by Rand where individual effort is not appreciated.
Works Cited
Rand, Ayn. Anthem. Charleston: Forgotten Books. 1972
Rand, Ayn. The Fountainhead. New York: Penguin Books. 2005
