Anthem- Symbol

In the novel, Anthem, light is a symbol that can be found over and over again throughout the story. It represents a source of freedom and individuality from the harsh sameness of the society.

If starting from the beginning, light first appears once Equality 7-2521 is given the occupation of street sweeper. While on duty, he discovers a deep black hole that was covered in weeds. With some exploration he discovers things left from the past. Among these, he discovers the light bulb. Equality 7-2521 presents this to the House of Scholars and it brings great fear to them. The main reason for the fear of the light bulb, the one invention that could bring this society to a whole to modern level, is that they see what it can bring to light. The glow of the bulb shows the unique traits of everyone. It finally brings the truth of the differences between everyone to the surface and this horrifies those in the House of Scholars.

The sweet nickname that Equality 7-2521 gives the woman he meets while street sweeping also hints at the symbol of light; the Golden One. While light represents the freedom from this society, the Golden One represents Equality's escape from it. She symbolizes the hope for something different and not completely equal and same. The Golden One is a change from the norm that Equality is used to. And to the overall meaning of Anthem, the Golden One is his accomplice, his way out of this restrictive society. The use of this way out is demonstrated later in the novel.

Equality and the Golden One escape and the symbol of light prevails on their journey to find a new way of living. Equality renames himself Prometheus, Greek icon who gave the gift of fire, yet another source of light. In this house from the Unmentionable Times that they have stumbled upon on their journey, they find globes of glass everywhere. They later learn that these housed light bulbs in the past. They represent hope and encouragement for a new civilization filled with individuality and freedom of opinion.