«Anthem» in English with a Parallel Translation

“Anthem” is an outstanding introduction to the philosophy of human nature. The theme of the novel and its central conflict – a man against the collective - occurs in all Ayn Rand's novels and is an important element of her moral and political philosophy. The plot of the book takes place under an unnamed Communist or Fascist dictatorship of the future, where a person has no rights and exists solely to serve the state. The main character named Equality 7-2521 is an intelligent young man who yearns to be a scientist, but who is commanded to be a Street Sweeper by the government that fears his independence of mind.