Connection Captain
Parts 5-6
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I was going to start out writing about how this book has lots to do with medieval times, however since I saw some other posts seeing that relationship I brainstormed a little and somehow thought of the last book, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. At first it might seem worlds away, the themes don't really match, and neither does the way in which the book is represented. But you look at how the prisoner's are treated (mindless objects) and how anything that makes you original eventually punished. It talked about how a certain prisoner had to hide his bible really well as it would be taken from him if people found out (seems awfully alike what might happen with Equality.) Any object that wasn't absolutely necessary had to be hidden from the guards, even things such as an extra layer of clothes were taken from inmates.
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Once in the gulag (the forced labor camps describe in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich) you are treated as part of the masses, nothing more, and sometimes even less. The only difference in Anthem is that you are treated with respect and kindness, and being treated as part of the masses has gone to a whole new level. Forget of being "I" or "me" you are now "we." We have gone there, we need food, we will do this. Even if you are alone, everything goes towards your fellow brothers and sisters, nothing for yourself. Same as Ivan, he is expected to work his life off towards a group of people he probably cares nothing about, and Equality has to follow a strict code forcing him to work for his community.
This is so insightful! I had not thought directly about this & really enjoyed your thinking. I see your connection and it has made me think.
ReplyDeleteAlejandro, i loved the way you connected the two books, and how both of them really made great connections. If you think deeply, both of your paragraphs really made a lot of sense and it had lots of meaning, i really liked how your paragraphs were really deep. I enjoyed reading your blog post.
ReplyDeleteAlejandro,
ReplyDeleteSince I have not yet read One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, I can see there is great connection between Anthem and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. By making a connection between this book, I see how prisoners and the Anthem have great meanings in common, especially only thinking about others and using 'we' and not 'I'. Prisoners are taught that they are inferior than other people.
Overall, your post shows great depth,
Sophia Takahashi
Alejandro,
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis, and really good connections. Initially, I see how you could have connected One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich with Anthem and I would have to agree with it. However, something that I couldn't help noticing was the fact that you compared the way officials treated people in both of these books. Furthermore, what I could connect is that both books have their "government officials" treat them as if they were nothing but stiff objects. For example, the Council in Anthem would not try to understand how society lives, instead they just punish them for not following what they are asked to do. As in for my own thinking, the authority does not conduct them well and neither does it teach them anything. Not to mention, the prison where Ivan Denisovich layed had punishing authorities and great restrictions. As you said, they would hide their bibles because it would be taken away from them, if seen. To conclude with, this tells me that the supremacy will understand nothing about their feelings and habits.
Alejandro, i loved the way you connected the two books,what I could connect is that both books have their government officials, Which have made these books very similar, I would also want t know a bit more about the second book, because now I am kind of curious, but great post, keep it up.
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