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Light and the Light Bulb
At the end of the book, Equality 7-2521 chooses a new name for himself: Prometheus. Prometheus was a Greek Titan who brought fire to humans against the Gods’ wishes, and was punished with eternal suffering for this transgression. Like the mythical Prometheus, Equality 7-2521 brings a new, life-changing form of technology to mankind, and like Prometheus, Equality 7-2521 must suffer for doing so. However, there is a crucial difference between the ancient myth and Rand’s retelling: while humankind accepts Prometheus’s gift of fire, Equality 7-2521’s collectivist society cravenly and narrow-mindedly rejects his gift. Thus, Rand demonstrates the way that collectivism destroys man’s instinct to better himself and his people.
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Prometheus Symbol Timeline in Anthem
The timeline below shows where the symbol Prometheus appears in Anthem. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 12
...and that they should pick names for themselves. From his readings, he chooses the name Prometheus, after the figure from Greek mythology who stole fire from the Gods and brought it...
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Equality 7-2521, now Prometheus, sees his future clearly before him. He is the successor to the Saint of the...
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