Anthem- Symbols

One of the most prominent symbols in Anthem is light. Light is known to represent truth and knowledge, hence the light bulb over the heads of cartoon animations. In the novel, Equality and Liberty are the knowledgeable ones and so the names that they choose for themselves show this inner light. Equality becomes Prometheus, the god and bringer of light, while Liberty becomes the Golden one.

The city that Equality and Liberty live in is shroud in darkness. Everything from the buildings to the color of the peoples clothes are neutral colors, like white grey and brown. The only means of light for the people comes from candles which, in reality, provide very little light. This lack of light and color makes everything blend together, nothing is bold and different, everything is equal. When Equality shows the Scholars his discovery of light, they are fearful and unexcepting. This could be because light reveals things that people try to hide. It is hard to blend in when everything is illuminated. The light penetrates their frail society and shows the weakness in their ways. The light reveals their errors, much like how light on a mirror shows smudges. Once the cover of darkness is pulled back, the people do not like what they see and are scared, wanting to run away from the light and plundge back into the concealing darkness where they can inevidably hide from themselves.

While society does not accept the light, Equality and Liberty are not afraid, and so step towards it. By excepting light for what it is, Equality and Liberty embrace individuality and knowledge and break away from the rest of society. Through the help of light, both Equality and Liberty are able to see themselves for who they really are, it is like their own 'becoming of individuals'.