What is Anthem?
Anthem is Ayn Rand’s classic tale of a dystopian future of the great “We”—a world that deprives individuals of a name or independence.
In all that was left of humanity there was only one man who dared to think, seek, and love. He lived in the dark ages of the future. In a loveless world, he dared to love the woman of his choice. In an age that had lost all trace of science and civilization, he had the courage to seek and find knowledge. But these were not the crimes for which he would be hunted. He was marked for death because he had committed the unpardonable sin: He had stood forth from the mindless human herd. He was a man alone. He had rediscovered the lost and holy word—I.
Participating in this contest isn’t just about winning prizes; it’s an opportunity to improve your ability to write and think effectively. You must be in middle school or high school to participate in this contest. Essays must be written in English only and between 600 and 1,200 words in length. You'll find the essay prompt of this round of contest on our website.