One Person

Name: One Person
ISBN: 9787229105082

Ayn RandChongqing Publishing House · ChinaApr 2017

4.1

Word count: 44K words
Chapters: 4
ISBN: 9787229105082

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Summary

In this work, the author imagines a highly centralized society in which there is no individual, only the collective. People have no names of their own and are distinguished only by a slogan plus a string of numbers. They do not even know the word “I”; whenever the concept of “I” must be expressed, the plural “we” is used instead. The protagonist, Equality 7-2521, is different from everyone else. Although he has been indoctrinated with collectivist ideas since birth, has been completely deprived of personal freedom, and is unable to enter a research institute as he wishes—being instead sentenced to be a street sweeper for life—he still pursues knowledge and reason by instinct and talent. The clever protagonist invents electric light without anyone noticing. Yet after the scholars and experts “admire” the electric light he has invented, they absurdly pin a label of sin on him and try to put him to death. Angry and helpless, Equality 7-2521 can only flee in panic into the “primitive” forest, awaiting a fate of being devoured by wild beasts. And there he discovers the existence of the word “I”…

Editor's review

Anthem is a somewhat unusual novella among Ayn Rand's works. It is not a long masterpiece like her best-known The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged, but its core is equally sharp. Set in a future society where collectivism reigns supreme, the story depicts how the protagonist "Equality 7-2521" awakens from blind conformity to the collective to discover and defend the concept of the "self." Through this highly allegorical work, Rand condenses her unmistakable philosophy of rational individualism into a dystopian narrative framework. As an editor, I believe the value of this book lies in how it works like a scalpel of thought, sharply cutting open the suppression of individuality that may lie hidden beneath collectivist slogans. Its literary quality serves philosophical expression; the prose is full of declarative force and poetic contrast, and while reading it one can strongly feel the protagonist's spiritual journey from darkness toward light. For readers unfamiliar with Rand's philosophical system, this moderately lengthed work is an excellent entry point into her intellectual world; for her devotees, it is a refined short piece in which to revisit her core ideas. The rediscovery and cherishing of the word "I" in the book still carry a powerful, awakening force in our present age.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Ayn Rand's philosophy who hope to start with one of her shorter works
Thinkers who enjoy dystopian fiction and exploring the relationship between the individual and the collective
Readers looking for literary works with strong intellectual impact and an allegorical nature
Young people who hope to inspire independent thinking and explore issues of self-worth

Not a good fit for

Traditional fiction readers who expect complex plots and extensive character development
People who reject any philosophical themes entirely and seek purely entertaining reading

Reading tips

This book can be read in comparison with classic dystopian works such as 1984 and Brave New World, considering how their philosophical starting points differ
While reading, pay attention to changes in the protagonist's inner monologue and appreciate the subtle process of the awakening of "self-consciousness"
After reading, one may further read Ayn Rand's nonfiction philosophical works, such as The Virtue of Selfishness, for a more systematic understanding of her thought

About the publisher

Chongqing Publishing House China · Founded in 1950

Chongqing Publishing House is a comprehensive publisher known for its titles in the humanities, social sciences, literature and arts, with about 940 books in its catalogue. Its publishing areas cover world history, science fiction, foreign literature, architecture and philosophy. Representative titles include Xiang Da's A History of Communications Between China and the West, Liang Sicheng's Rules of Qing-Style Construction, Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem II: The Dark Forest and III: Death's End, Ann Rand's The Fountainhead (25th Anniversary Edition), and Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive series. Its authors include Xiang Da, Liu Cixin, Liang Sicheng and Ann Rand. The press has developed distinctive strengths in historical source editing, the introduction and creation of science fiction, the translation of foreign literature, and architecture and philosophy titles, balancing scholarly value with general readership. As public information is limited, this profile outlines its publishing directions based only on the books in the catalogue.

序言
一个人1
一个人2
附录

FAQ

What is the relationship between this book and The Ayn Rand Journal?

Anthem is an independent novella by Ayn Rand with a complete story and theme. The Ayn Rand Journal, by contrast, is a compilation of her private diaries, mainly recording her intellectual development, creative process, and observations on life. The two are works of completely different natures.

Is this book suitable for young readers?

The themes this book explores—the individual and the collective, self-worth, and so on—are universal, and its literary form is relatively concise. For older adolescents who are fairly mature in thought and willing to think independently, it is an excellent work that can prompt deep reflection. However, its strong individualist viewpoint may require guidance and discussion from parents or teachers so that readers can form a more well-rounded understanding.

How is the translation quality of this edition?

This edition from Chongqing Publishing House is one of the more widely used Chinese translations. The translation makes an effort to convey the resolute, argumentative style of Rand's original, and is basically fluent and accurate, capable of supporting the intellectual framework of the original. It is suitable for most Chinese readers to understand the core content.

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About the author

Ayn Rand Author · American · 1905–1982

Ayn Rand (1905–1982) was a Russian-born American writer and philosopher, the founder of Objectivism, best known for her novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. Her work spans both literature and thought, often using social novels and classic works to explore the tension between individual will, reason, and creativity; essays such as The Romantic Manifesto set out her literary views. Her writings are classed under foreign literature, social fiction, and inspirational growth, have sold tens of millions of copies worldwide, and have had a profound influence on twentieth-century American thought. Beyond fiction and essays, her writing also touches on ideals and individual value, and Chinese readers can gain a fairly complete picture of her literary and intellectual profile through the many available translations.