How does Ayn Rand’s Anthem compare to two other well-known works of dystopian literature: 1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley? Unlike Anthem, Brave New World depicts a society in which advanced technology goes hand in hand with totalitarian collectivism. Unlike Anthem, 1984 depicts a world in which the individual has no chance to succeed or escape. What accounts for these differences? Is evil really an all-powerful, inescapable force? Are science and technology really compatible with the collectivist mindset? How does Anthem’s critique of collectivism differ from that of these other works?
Spoiler alert: This lesson assumes that students have read the works discussed.
