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Literature CirclesStudents will be divided into groups of 3-5. Each student group will sit and belong with each other for the two weeks we're reading this novella. Each day the literature circle meets (Tuesday - Friday). Each student is responsible for the completion of one job in the Literature Circle Packet. At each meeting there will be a 10 point homework check to ensure the students' job is complete. Absent students will make up participation points by writing a one paragraph summary and a one paragraph response. There are six jobs and six meetings. After the final literature circle, students will hand in their packets to be graded for quality (50 pts).
To have the book read aloud from you not as a youtube video visit http://alexpeak.com/twr/anthem/#audio |
#1 Pages 16-37 - 1/12 #2 Pages 38-51 -1/15 #3 Pages 52-67 - 1/19 #4 Pages 68-87 - 1/22
#5 Pages 88-105 - 1/27
#5 Pages 88-105 - 1/27
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Read the story of Prometheus and then view this clip. http://www.authorama.com/old-greek-stories-5.html |
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Anthem Essay
We'll be participating in the Ayn Rand Essay Contest. Students will be submitting essays to the contest by March 20th. Hopefully, some of our excellent freshmen writers get recognized. From the Ayn Rand website students have the opportunity to compete for prizes. FIRST PRIZE: $2,000
5 SECOND PRIZES: $500
10 THIRD PRIZES: $200
45 FINALISTS: $50
175 SEMIFINALISTS: $30
Students will choose from one of three essay prompts and write a formal, claim based essay.
5 SECOND PRIZES: $500
10 THIRD PRIZES: $200
45 FINALISTS: $50
175 SEMIFINALISTS: $30
Students will choose from one of three essay prompts and write a formal, claim based essay.
Option 1 -
“It is a sin to write this.” So begins Anthem. But by the end of the story, Equality 7-2521 has a different moral assessment of his action. Do you think Equality’s eventual assessment of his sin is correct? Why or why not? Explain. |
Option 2 -
By the end of the story, Equality 7-2521 has changed his mind and become very critical of the leaders of his society, denouncing them in moral terms. Do you think he is correct to do so? Why or why not? Do you think he would agree with the advice that Rand offers in her short essay “How Does One Lead a Rational Life in an Irrational Society?”? Explain. *r? |
Option 3 -
Anthem portrays a totalitarian world of the future. In contrast to other such portrayals, the world of Anthem is technologically primitive. What does this imply about the nature of science and technology and the conditions for technological progress, and how do events of the story establish that view? |
ROUGH DRAFT DONE FINAL DUE
The Introduction
1) (Hook) In the 21st century, individuality is perched a top the highest pedestal. Nothing compares to the ability to stand apart from one another; no one dares to take it away. (Filler) But in a century possibly not to far from this one, Ayn Rand's Anthem, does just the opposite. Equality 7-2521 lurks below the surface of this society, wracked with guilt and plagued by an incessant need for individualism. This need is completely squelched by society's oppressive beliefs that competition, uniqueness and preference are the root of all evil. (Thesis) Equality's persevering desire to be in charge of his own destiny, looms beneath his sub-conscience, almost to his downfall, but instead he grabs hold of his convictions and rises heroically above his static society. 2) (hook) There is a tongue-in-cheek saying of “you’re unique….just like everyone else,” but in (filler) Ayn Rand’s Anthem, no one is unique, instead they are each just like everyone else. Although this dystopian society hasn’t gone as far as test tube babies and identical citizens, there has obviously been some brainwashing. The main character Equality 7-2521 feels condemned for even noticing the differences between him and his brother; he is treated poorly and told there is evil in his bones because he is tall and smart. In order for the society to have gone this far they must have had some serious concerns about individuality.(Thesis) The citizens of this society believe whole-heartedly that someone else knows what’s best for them, that preference hurts feelings, and that individuality is the root of all conflict.
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3) (Hook)Whether people realize it or not, it just takes a split second for an authority figure to change the life of a citizen. (filler) Sometimes this change is for the better, but it can also be for the worse. In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, there are several Councils who are in charge of everything for the people. They decide what jobs and what future people have. They also regulate intelligence and inventions. Equality 7-2521 is a member of this society; he wants to be a scholar because he loves to learn and invent things. However, this cannot be so ultimately he must break away. (thesis) The council and the society damn him because of his actions and brain, but after his escape, he realizes this damnation is dumb/stupid and ultimately he had already been damned. |
Body Paragraphs
2) (introduction) In this society at age fifteen, individuals are finished with school and assigned a job for the rest of their meager and meaningless lives. Leading up to this fateful meeting with the Council of Vocations, Equality is plagued by the guilt of knowing his own mind. He wants so desperately to be a scholar but knows this thought is wrong. And then he stood before the council as they declared "street sweeper" and equality (quote) "felt his neck constrict......and [he] was happy" (26). (connection and explanation)Despite his deepest desire to be a scholar, Equality is happy to be a street sweeper-at least on the surface. He has been raised to believe that this council knows what is best for him and that his dreams of being a 'scholar' are a disgusting sin. He spends much of his early years feeling the onslaught of guilt because of his dreams to invent, explore and learn more than his brothers. This guilt is spurred on by the belief that the council knows what careers and future lives each person must fulfill to make their society exist. In this moment of decision from the Council, it's these beliefs that give Equality relief instead of heartache. Just like the rest of society he believes that the Council knows what is best for him and best for everyone else and he accepts it. This society also believes that personal preference does nothing but hurt feelings.
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3) (introduction) From the time an individual in Anthem is born, until they die at the ripe old age of 45, their lives are dictated in whole by the collective group. They are born, they attend school where they learn little and are praised more for knowing nothing than knowing anything and for Equality this is absolute torture. When these uneducated clones turn 15 they are given their ultimate destiny - a career. Despite the brain drain of their education system, Equality has still managed to hold on to his dream of higher learning and with great hidden hopes he goes to the Council of Vocations. (quote) "The only thing that moved..... declared 'street sweeper'" (26). (connection and explanation) While Equality feigned happiness over this reconciliation for his sins, but this contentment doesn't last long. Equality realizes that as a Street Sweeper he is subjected to being simply one of hundred, sterile lined beds. He has no ability to question, or learn, or create and instead is sentenced to methodical and unceasing sweep-right sweep-left. A pain only Sisyphus could understand. He has already been damned. He was damned from the moment this eternal hell of monotonous daily tasks was placed upon him.
Direct Citation"Their body was straight and thin as a blade of iron. Their eyes were dark and hard and glowing, with no fear in them, no kindness and no guilt. Their hair was golden as the sun; their hair flew in the wind, shining and wild, as if it defied men to restrain it" (Rand 39).
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ParaphraseThey were skinny as a rail. Their eyes were like chocolate and showed no emotion. Their blonde hair blew in the wind as though it were undefinable. (Rand 39)
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SummaryThey were a hottie (Rand 39)
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The Conclusion
1) (restatement of thesis) Equality struggles at first with his innate desires to be apart from his brothers, but as his life progresses he feels he has no options but to take this secret desires and run. (summarize paper). So brainwashed by his collective society, he is unable to accept that he is different, or find any joy in his differences. He struggles internally for years with the guilt of having his own mind before her finally learns to accept it. Once he's accepted it, he still doesn't see his society for the evil that it is. He is determined to save the others, to make them see the light of individuality, but only when this is squelched does he give up his dreams of living in community with them still. Better to live in the light alone, than with other's in their darkness. Once he's accepted this, and escapes he is finally able to pursue his life's ambitions and his own dreams. He is able to own his uniqueness, and instead of guilt he now feels resolve and success. He reaches his state of nirvana through his independence and realization of his own ego, and is finally able to escape the eternal cycle of Prometheus' liver-eating, or collectivism's darkness.
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1) Please read through this story (exploring any of the additional articles and links that you find interesting or useful). 2) Once you have finished reading, reflect on where you excel, or struggle as a reader according to this. Looking at writing a formal essay, analyzing part of Anthem. Where would you fall? What do you need to do to be better? Did you find anything surprising? New? Different? 3) Go to the website and look at the Anthem Essay (bottom of the anthem page). Look at the three possible essay prompts. Look up words you don't understand, or question. Rank the three essays in the order of your interest. |
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