Essays on Ayn Rand's Anthem
Published on 20. May 2005
Book
Paperback/Softback
354 pages
978-0-7391-1031-7 (ISBN)
Description
In this first book-length study of Ayn Rand's anti-utopia Anthem, essays explore the historical, literary, and philosophical themes presiding in this novella written in opposition to the totalitarianism of the Soviet Union (and Nazi Germany). Written in 1937, published in 1938 in Britain, and subsequently in a revised form in the United States in 1946, Anthem investigates the importance of the ego and freedom, and the individual against the state. Editor Robert Mayhew has collected a variety of essays dealing with such topics including: the history behind the novella's creation, publication, and reception; its connection to other anti-utopian novels; and, the significance of ego and freedom, which it portrays and defends. This book is important to philosophers as well as readers looking to gain a better understanding of Ayn Rand and Anthem.
Reviews / Votes
This collection sheds powerful light on the origins, literary genius, and striking philosophical depth of Ayn Rand's wonderful little novel. Some of the essays are astonishingly good. -- Allan Gotthelf, author of On Ayn Rand This book is filled with scholarly nuggets that provide insightful analyses of the history, literary techniques, and philosophic principles in Ayn Rand's futuristic novelette Anthem. It is valuable reading for anyone who desires a deeper understanding of this classic work. -- Gary Hull, Director of the Program on Values and Ethics in the Marketplace at Duke UniversityMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
513 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7391-1031-7 (9780739110317)
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Content
Part 1 Part 1: The History of Anthem Chapter 2 Anthem in Manuscript: Finding the Words Chapter 3 Publishing Anthem Chapter 4 Anthem: '38 and '46 Chapter 5 Reviews of Anthem Chapter 6 Adapting Anthem: Projects That Were and Might Have Been Chapter 7 Anthem and 'The Individualist Manifesto' Part 8 Part 2: Anthem as Literature and as Philosophy Chapter 9 Anthem as a Psychological Fantasy Chapter 10 Anthem in the Context of Related Literary Works: 'We are not like our brothers' Chapter 11 'Sacrilege toward the Individual': The Anti-Pride of Thomas More's Utopia and Anthem's Radical Alternative Chapter 12 Needs of the Psyche in Ayn Rand's Early Ethical Thought Chapter 13 Breaking the Metaphysical Chains of Dictatorship: Free Will and Determinism in Anthem Chapter 14 Prometheus' Discovery: Individualism and the Meaning of the Concept "I" in Anthem Chapter 15 Freedom of Disassociation in Anthem Chapter 16 Anthem and Collectivist Regression into Primitivism Part 17 Epilogue: Anthem: An Appreciation Part 18 Appendix: