In Ayn Rand's famous short story, or in some circles infamous, hymn, the different ideologies of objectivism and collectivism clash against each other. Since Objectivism is so compact and different from the society described in the book, it seems like it would be almost impossible to truly follow it in its entirety. However, Anthem, as a whole, does not violate the ideals of Rand's philosophy of objectivism. At the beginning of the story, the reader is introduced to a collectivist society that arose after an era nicknamed the "Unnameable Times" in which there was supposedly great destruction causing fear of a new society. This society rejects individual ideals, differences, choices and loneliness. This society must be portrayed as unsympathetic to people who come from places where differences and talents are celebrated and encouraged, such as the United States. It doesn't fit with objectivism and is actually completely the opposite. The use of this type of society in the book is just a tool to show how objectivism is much better than collectivism. It aims to show the problems of this type of ideology such as a boring lifestyle, lack of choice and the inadequacy of technology and progress. This society is portrayed as weaker and inferior to an individual, while Equality, which is slowly gaining a sense of individuality, has progressed beyond them at a much faster rate. This is demonstrated by the way they illuminate their respective worlds. While society as a whole uses candles, which are primitive, provide little light, and have fragile, bare flames, the light that Equality discovers is stronger. It can be made brighter, cleaner and won't go out with a puff of air. The electric light is also a symbol of Equality itself. He is stronger and taller... in the center of the card... as he wants. Through example, he also shows the people of the city that they too have a choice, whether they want to follow him or reject his ideals in favor of the collective ones. Equality doesn't help anyone unless they want to be helped. It's simply giving them something they've never been given, the fundamental right to make their own decisions about what's best for them in their own minds. Giving people the ability to choose for themselves what they really want is the purpose of objectivism. Ayn Rand wrote Anthem as a critique of communism, but along with that she demonstrated her own belief system of individual ideals. Objectivism was aptly shown throughout the novella with the thoughts and actions of the main characters, Equality and Freedom contrasted with the universal thinking of the city and society. Rand clearly showed her philosophy well in this story.