I And We (By: Carys)

According to the novel, Equality's scientific investigations in Anthem are intrinsically tied to his awakening as an individual, where his realization that he is an "I", not merely a "We." His experiments with electricity and his invention of the light bulb symbolize his growing independence of thought, self-sufficiency, and defiance of collectivism. This aligns perfectly with Ayn Rand’s philosophy in "The Soul of an Individualist" from The Ayn Rand Lexicon, which defines creators as those who think for themselves, act on their own judgment, and refuse to conform. To start with, scientific curiosity as rebellion. At first, Equality’s fascination with science marks him as diverse. While his society forbids individual inquiry, he secretly studies and experiments, driven by his own mind: This mirrors Rand’s description of the creator: "The creator thinks. The parasite copies."  (The Soul of an Individualist) His pursuit of knowledge is an act of defiance, proving that he is not content with the stagnant, collective "truths" imposed by the World Council. "We wished to know. We wished to know about all the things which make the earth around us." (Anthem, Ch. II)  Besides that, invention as proof of individual genius. When Equality reinvents the electric light, he does so alone, without permission or collaboration—an unforgivable crime in his society. His invention is a product of his own reasoning: "We alone, of the thousands who walk this earth, we alone are doing a work which has no purpose save that which we wish to place upon it." (Anthem, Ch. VII) This echoes Rand’s praise of the individualist: "The creator stands on his own judgment. The parasite follows the opinions of others." His light bulb is not just a technological breakthrough; it is proof that individual minds can achieve what the collective cannot. In addition, rejection by the Scholars and the final break from collectivism. The World Council of Scholars does not care about the light itself, where they care only that Equality dared to think for himself. Their condemnation forces him to recognize the truth: "We are old now, yet we were young this morning when we carried our glass box through the streets of the City… They had nothing to do with us. We were alone." (Anthem, Ch. VII) This moment of isolation is momentous—he sees that his identity is separate from the collective. Rand’s words reinforce this: "The creator lives for his work. He needs no other men." His scientific journey leads him to understand that true creation comes from within, not from the approval of others. Last but not least, the exploration of "I" as the ultimate realization. Only after fleeing to the Uncharted Forest does Equality fully embrace his individuality. He reads the forbidden word ("I") and understands its power: "I am. I think. I will." (Anthem, Ch. XI) His experiments were the first steps in this awakening, where each discovery was an assertion of his own mind. Rand’s definition of the creator applies perfectly: "The first right on earth is the right of the ego. Man’s first duty is to himself." To conclude, Equality’s scientific journey is inseparable from his path to individualism. His experiments prove that truth is discovered by individuals, not collectives. Just as Rand’s "creators" are those who think and act independently, Equality’s inventions are manifestations of his growing sense of self. By the end, he no longer seeks validation, which he knows his own worth. His light bulb is not just a tool; it is a beacon of individualism in a world of darkness.