Ayn Rand informs of the popularity of collective functions that existed in past decades and continue to exist up to date. This forms the heart of the novel as Rand fends for the rights of individuals to a life of their own making, and warns against the current society’s relentless movement towards collectivism. When conversing they use the word “we” since they lack vocabulary of express themselves.Įquality 7-2521 struggles in thinking, living, as well as loving as his terms conflict with the general terms of the government. Most importantly, the word “I” has been outlawed, and even erased from the spoken language and from citizens’ thoughts. Besides, even the names given to them by the State indicate variations on collectivism, for instance, Equality 7-2521 and International 6-Li 2 7843, among others, suggest many people sharing the same name. Instead, they are engaged in government-controlled procreation, whereby the state determines who sleeps with whom and when. Furthermore, these people have no personal lives as they are forbidden to have lovers or friends. In the novel, the author tells us that, “…the people of this world pawns with no rights and exist as wards of the government.” They are born, raised and educated in government institutions, toil in government-assigned jobs, as well as reside in massive ménages provided by the state. Due to his brilliance, he yearns to be a scientist, but the State who controls him fears of what his mind might achieve and commands him to be a Street Sweeper. Equality 7- 2521 is the main character in this novella.

Ayn rand dystopia