Solved: Essay 1: The Book Anthem

Prompt:

Themes in the book Anthem include:

• The loss of individuality
• Oppression and total government control
• Collectivism and self-sacrifice
• The loss of history and science
• Language and the written word
• Selfishness and self-interest as a virtue
• Knowledge as a path to freedom

Choose the theme you believe is the most prominent and important in the book. Consider what the author's message is in depicting this theme (What does she want people to learn, believe, think, or do after reading the book?). And explain how Rand develops the theme using the literary elements of characterization, conflict, setting, symbolism, motif, and literary allusion.

You MUST quote from BOTH the book  Anthem AND the literary criticism about  Anthem to support your argument.

Thesis:

You may use the following template for your thesis:

The most important theme in Anthem is X. The author's message is that Y. She develops this theme through the literary elements of characterization, conflict, setting, symbolism, motif, and literary allusion.

Note:

You may use the outline provided below as prewriting for your paper. It's not required, but it is helpful.

Your essay must be uploaded as a Microsoft Word document.

It must be at least 3 full pages long (approximately 900-1000 words) in Times New Roman 12 font, double spaced. More is fine if you wish, but less is not.

Outline

1. Introduction (1 paragraph)
   1. A short 1-2 sentence overview of the novella Anthem

• Your thesis statement

1. Summary of the story (1 paragraph)

1. Characterization (1 paragraph)
   1. Topic Sentence on characterization and how it contributes to the theme

• A SHORT quotation from the poem or the criticism to support your interpretation. 

• Analysis of the quotation to explain the quote and show how it connects back to the thesis

• Link to the next paragraph

1. Man Vs. Society Conflict (1 paragraph)
   1. Topic Sentence on conflict and how it contributes to the theme

• A SHORT quotation from the poem or the criticism to support your interpretation. 

• Analysis of the quotation to explain the quote and show how it connects back to the thesis

• Link to the next paragraph

• Dystopian Setting (1 paragraph)
  • Topic Sentence on setting and how it contributes to the theme

• A SHORT quotation from the poem or the criticism to support your interpretation. 

• Analysis of the quotation to explain the quote and show how it connects back to the thesis

• Link to the next paragraph

• Literary allusion (1 paragraph)
  • Topic Sentence on allusion and how it contributes to the theme

• A SHORT quotation from the poem or the criticism to support your interpretation. 

• Analysis of the quotation to explain the quote and show how it connects back to the thesis

• Link to the next paragraph

• Motif (1 paragraph)
  • Topic Sentence on motif and how it contributes to the theme

• A SHORT quotation from the poem or the criticism to support your interpretation. 

• Analysis of the quotation to explain the quote and show how it connects back to the thesis

• Link to the next paragraph

• Symbolism (1 paragraph)
  • Topic Sentence on symbolism and how it contributes to the theme

• A SHORT quotation from the poem or the criticism to support your interpretation. 

• Analysis of the quotation to explain the quote and show how it connects back to the thesis

• Link to the next paragraph