Equality’s Encounter with the World Council of Scholars (By: Carys)

Yesterday, I read a  book called Anthem by Aye Rand. In Chapter VII, the World Council of Scholars has a powerfully negative reaction to Equality's invention, which is the electric light, because it challenges the collectivist foundations of their society. The Scholars are deeply committed to the principles of equality and conformity, where individual's idea and innovation are prohibited. Equality's invention is created independently and through his own reasoning, intimidates their entire system. The evidence is as shown. First and foremost, fear of individualism. The Scholars are afraid the Equality work alone, which is a crime in their community. When he shows his light, they bawl, "A wretch who has devastated all the laws and all the bonds! A gutter cleaner! A transgressor!" Their outrage stems from his defiance collective work. Besides that, opposition of progress. The Scholars are not interested in the light's advantages but instead demand its instruction, "What is not done collectively cannot be outstanding". They are frightened of innovation as it undermines their navigation over knowledge. Apart from that, threat to their authority. The Council represents a society where knowledge is rigidly navigated. When Equality mentions that his discovery could "light the cities of the world", they respond with panic, yelling, "What is not thought by all men cannot be true". This shows their reluctant to accept anything outside approved dogma. Lastly, punishment over progress. Rather than celebrate the invention, they declare, "This would wreck the Plans of the World Council". Their priority is maintaining the stagnant, oppressive systems, not enhancing lives. The Scholar's reaction proves that their society suppresses individuality to protect conformity. Equality's invention exposes the flaws in their ideology, making them to reject it out of fear rather than reason.