Anthem is about a dystopian society happening sometime in the future, it is not specific exactly when. In this society the control of government over everything, seen modern day in movements like communism, is taken to the extreme. Everything is decided by the government and free thinking is punished. The innovation rate of the country is extremely slow with major innovations only coming once every couple hundred of years. In fact it is revealed that the "latest and greatest," for the society is the candle, which we know is ancient technology, but even for them in over a hundred years old. When the main character presents a new discovery he makes about electric lights to the world council of scientists he is flogged.
In the end of the book one member of the society breaks free of the bonds placed upon him and makes a great discovery. The word "I." Everything in the society is collectivist and so there is no concept of individuality. In the end the main character escapes and so starts a small spark of hope that threatens to grow and change the entire society back to what it should be.
In the end of the book one member of the society breaks free of the bonds placed upon him and makes a great discovery. The word "I." Everything in the society is collectivist and so there is no concept of individuality. In the end the main character escapes and so starts a small spark of hope that threatens to grow and change the entire society back to what it should be.