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Identity
In the world Ayn Rand depicts in Anthem, individuals have no identity of their own. They exist only for the sake of the community. There is no "I" (the word literally doesn't exist), but only "the great WE." Anything that might allow individuals to develop their own identity – whether it be a name, a mirror, or the first-person singular – is suppressed. The story's plot follows the main character, Equality 7-2521 2-7521, as he slowly discovers his own identity as an individual. Gradually he moves away from thinking himself as a member of the "we" to thinking of himself as an "I" and valuing his own uniqueness.
It is only Equality 7-2521's love for Liberty 5-3000 that makes his discovery of himself as an individual possible.
Equality 7-2521 always thought of himself primarily as an individual, in spite of his society's efforts to repress his individuality.
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