Anthems conflict

In Anthem Ayn Rand uses a man verses society conflict. In the novel, Equality 7-2521 struggles with the dystopian society he lives in. He finds himself often breaking the rules, although he is just trying to find out who he is, and find ways to enjoy life. When he finds the mysterious tunnel, he is breaking many rules, "'...keep silent. This place is ours. This place belongs to us Equality 7-2521, and to no other men on earth." This tunnel helps Equality feel happy because he can learn freely there. But it must remain a secret. When Equality is late to the City Theatre, he gets severely punished, “ ‘Lash them until they tell.’” This shows that Equality fights for what he believes, even if it means getting physically beaten. Equality clearly has a struggle between him and his society.

Chance

Consider our semester question: how do words and actions influence who others become? To what extent do actions change intentions?

Chance affects who others become in war. Chance can decide whether you live or die, "It is just as much a matter that I am still alive as that I might have been hit." This quote shows that Paul could have died if it weren't for chance. Chance brought him to leave his dugout, and if he hadn't left he would've been dead. Many soldiers experience chance, "No soldier outlives a thousand chances." this shows that every soldier has his chances and hopes for the best of luck. Chance plays an affect on how actions change intentions because they may intend one thing, and chance completely changes it. For example, "...after a while I stood up and went to visit some friends in another dug out. On my return, nothing more was to be seen of the first one, it had been blown to pieces by a direct hit." In this quote, Paul only intended to visit some friends, but chance ended up saving him. Because of that it changed his intentions of only going to visit the other dugout. Chance affects who soldiers people become after war.

how do words and actions influence who others become? To what extent do actions change intentions?

In the short story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, actions strongly influence who others become because Doodle’s fate was based off the actions of his older brother. His brother had the choice to wait for Doodle or to leave him, “I ran as fast as I could, leaving him as far behind with a wall of rain dividing us… Soon I could hear his voice no more.” This shows that his choice to leave Doodle influenced Doodle’s fate, “Limply, he fell backwards onto the earth. He had been bleeding from his mouth, and his neck and the front of his shirt were stained a brilliant red.” Because of his older brothers decision to leave him, Doodle died. This proves that words and actions influence who others become. Doodle didn’t get to become anything because of his brothers poor decision. It most likely was not his intention to kill his little brother, but his actions justified that actions change intentions.