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Aditi

This song talks about how people need to break the chains and become free. Equality 7-2521 also needs to break the chains that the Council has bound him and his brothers with and get free instead of being forced to conform to rules that are void of any sort of logic or reason.

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Bella and Ananya

Empowerment and Self-discovery:

You have to learn to recognize your own value and not let anyone (like the govt.) dictate your worth or limit your curiosity.

In Anthem, Equality’s worth is proven low because of his curses that he was born with. He is viewed as a threat and isolated to keep the others safe. Equality eventually finds confidence in his own abilities to take care of himself and make his own decisions against the Council.

Oppression and Control:

It’s important not to let anyone suppress your individuality through force and manipulation. Learn to have a mind of your own and trust your instincts.

In Anthem, the society is built on the beliefs that everyone must be the exact same; equal. The Council believes it is better to live for others than yourself because that is selfish. They have created an illusion that the life given to the people now is what’s best for them, and the reason being that they do not want history to repeat The Unmentionable Times.

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3:32 Hi-Rez & Jimmy Levy - Welcome To The Revolution YouTube · HiRezTV · Nov 11, 2021

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Hi-Rez & Jimmy Levy - Welcome To The Revolution

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Ishaan and Harshit

“My thoughts ya hear and ya begin to fear”

In Anthem, Equality’s intelligence is looked down upon because it makes him more of a danger to the illusion the government is trying to maintain. Similarly, the writers of this song are sending a message that goes against the messages of the US government.

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Rage Against The Machine - Bombtrack (Clean)

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Sahana and Nishka

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Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly - Someday (From "ZOMBIES"/Sing-Along)

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Freedom of Expression

Sohum, Arnav, & Barath

This shows freedom of expression because he’s telling the world not to hold them back and let them be themselves. Similarly, Equality from Anthem wants to continue his journey of learning and doesn’t want the government to hold  him back.

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The White Stripes - 'Seven Nation Army" (Lyrics)

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Andrew and Ryan

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Dhruv, Arnav

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Queen - I Want To Break Free (Official Video)

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Angela and Grace

It’s important to represent yourself and be you own person:

Equality’s desire to learn and discover overpowers the control his government has over him.  Every day during the social gathering, he sneaks away to the underground tunnel, where he can, “be himself”.

Don’t let your life be dictated by others:

Equality is expected to stick to his job as a street sweeper and not build relationships with anyone. However, he pursues knowledge, is interested in Liberty, and befriends International.

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SAYGRACE - You Don't Own Me ft. G-Eazy (Official Video)

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Prakhya, Sarah, and Kaylee

“Bet you thought I'd never do it

Thought it'd go over my head

I bet you figured I'd pass with the winter

Be somethin' easy to forget”

In Anthem, the Council suppresses the rights of the people, and does not let them express individuality. But, people like Equality refuse to listen, and find ways to follow their individuality and themself. The quote shows how the Council thought they had everything under control, but didn’t expect people to refute them.

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Olivia Rodrigo - Can’t Catch Me Now (from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes)

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The song demonstrates how the Council, in order to control and oppress the cititizens in Anthem, has kept many secrets from them. The Unmentionable Times and everything about technology are all kept secret, and there is an illusion of society being perfect when in truth, it is far from perfect. The cititzens are unable to fight back and stand up for themselves. Aishani and Kanika

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Charlotte and Julia

This connects to the book “Anthem” by Ayn Rand because, in the society that Equality lives in, he does not have freedom of speech. Speaking out against society is considered a severe offense, and punishable by lashing and death. This song is encouraging people to fight against an oppressive power.

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Public Enemy - Fight The Power (Official Music Video)

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Equality 7-2521 doesn’t like the monotony of his schedule, and he yearns to have more value in his life, which he accomplishes through learning; this makes his life “new” and “refreshing”.

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Good Charlotte - The Anthem (Official Video)