How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see. It is base and evil. It is as if we were speaking alone to no ears but our own. And we know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone (1.1)
Equality 7-2521 begins Anthem by telling us he's doing something wrong. The first thing we learn about him is that he's breaking an important law. And that makes us feel right away as if we're in a very tightly controlled world, a world in which one is not free to do what one wants. We also learn something else very important right away: in Equality 7-2521's world, one isn't free to be alone. And how can you be free at all if you can never be alone?
Quote #2
It is only our brothers in the Home of the Artists who are permitted to draw pictures, so International 4-8818 4-8818 were sent to the Home of the Street Sweepers, like ourselves. (1.36)
What Equality 7-2521 tells us here about International 4-8818 further goes to show how controlled their society is. Essentially, no one is allowed to do anything unless society tells them to do it. That is practically the definition of unfreedom, because it means that you can only do what you're told to do. In this case, it also means that International 4-8818 isn't free to be himself. He seems to be an artist by nature, but society doesn't even allow him to be one in his free time.
Quote #3
And they answered: "Since the Council does not know of this hole, there can be no law permitting to enter it. And everything which is not permitted by law is forbidden." (1.44)
International 4-8818 is stating the basic operating principle of his society here: if it's not permitted, then it's forbidden. Every action has to be sanctioned by society. There's no room for individual free choice at all.