Anthem by Ayn Rand is the least enjoyable book I’ve ever been subjected to reading. It’s been the Honors English 2 summer reading book for years and by all accounts will continue to be. And while reading the book may have been as painful an experience as if I’d been handed a transcript of a Jersey Shore episode, on a mechanical level it serves its purpose.
“We start and end with the same genre,” explained Elizabeth Willis, one of the Honors English 2 teachers.
The genre she’s referring to is dystopia, the first reason Anthem works. And like a predatory version of The Giver, Anthem is certainly a dystopian novel. It focuses on a world where the main character’s occupation is chosen for him and technology is stifled. It’s a clear allegory for communism. The themes of collectivism vs individualism are clearly influenced by Rand’s upbringing in the former U.S.S.R. For continuity purposes the genre is important because students begin and end the year focusing on similar themes.
“Just in terms of functionality, the length of it is helpful,” said Ernie Billitier who also teaches the course.
Anthem is only about 100 pages meaning it’s not laborious for students to read over the summer or the first week of school. This is the second box the book checks. The speaker in the book, Equality 7-2521, refers to himself with the pronoun “we”. This can trip readers up, some not realizing until the end or near the end of the book. For this reason the length is dually helpful because it lends itself to quick rereading/skimming with that new found understanding in mind.
“The book is accessible. It’s not incredibly high-minded and gets to the point quickly,” said Colin Franklin, the third Honors English 2 teacher.
The final box Anthem checks is it’s clear point: collectivism vs. individualism, is selfishness good? These are questions explicitly explored throughout the novela. It’s not too complicated of a concept which is important for the level reading it.
The unsatisfactory answer is that Anthem is the best worst option for the sophomore year reading book.
