Anthem Pre-Reading Power Point Presentation: https://userfiles-secure.educatorpages.com/userfiles/leewoodenglish/Anthem PreReading.pptx
Link to Anthem vocabulary:
https://quizlet.com/_2i2uy0
Chapter 1 Questions
1. (a) In a well‐organized paragraph, describe the society in which Anthem is set. Some
areas to consider are the political structure, degree of technology, social relationships, quality
of life, and education.
(b) Would you want to live in this society? Explain why or why not.
2. In this chapter Equality 7‐2521 states that it is very unusual for men to reach the age of 45.
Offer several possible explanations as to why life expectancy is so short in his society.
3. Why does the Council of Vocations assign Equality the job of street sweeper? Is it due to
error, incompetence or a more sinister motivation? Explain.
4. When does this novel take place—in the past, the present or the future? How do you know?
5. (a) How would your teachers react if you had Equality’s “curse”?
(b) Why do Equality’s teachers disapprove of his quick mind?
6. At this point in the novel, does Equality accept the moral teachings of his society? If so, why
doesn’t he feel shame or remorse when he knows that he’s committing a crime? Find textual
evidence to support your answer.
Chapter 2 Questions
1. Reread the account of Liberty 5‐3000 on page 38. What character traits are revealed in this
brief description?
2. Contrast Equality with the rest of the men living in this society (p. 46).
3. Of the whole range of feelings possible to man (joy, excitement, anger, embarrassment, etc.),
why is fear the prevalent emotion in this society?
4. (a) What word is Equality struggling to recapture on page 49?
(b) In your opinion, why is mentioning this word the only crime punishable by death in
this society? How does this word contradict the ideals of this society? What could its
rediscovery possibly lead to?
Chapter 3 Questions
1. (a) What does Equality discover in this chapter?
(b) How important is this discovery? Describe four or five ways in which it would help
society, and make life easier or more enjoyable.
2. Outline some of the Council of Scholars’ beliefs, and Equality’s refutation of those beliefs.
Chapter 4 Questions
1. Discuss the appropriateness of Equality’s new name, “Unconquered.” Is it fitting?
Chapter 5 Questions
1. Equality understands that his invention will benefit mankind greatly; however, this was not
his main motivation in conducting his experiments, and it is not the primary source of the great
joy he experiences. Discuss.
2. In your opinion, why is Equality so interested in seeing his own image at this point in the
novel? What emotion is he feeling?
Chapter 6 Questions
1. The old locks and lack of guards in the Palace of Corrective Detention indicate that prisoners
never tried to escape. Why not?
Chapter 7 Questions
1. Outline four of the Council’s reasons for rejecting Equality’s invention.
2. What are the real reasons behind the Council’s rejection and fear of the gift?
Chapter 8 Questions
1. What is Equality experiencing for the first time in this chapter, and what does he feel as a
result?
2. Explain why Equality laughs when he remembers that he is “the Damned.”
3. What does the Uncharted Forest symbolize in Anthem?
Chapter 9 Questions
1. On pages 93–94, Liberty contrasts Equality with his fellow men. Paraphrase this passage.
2. In this chapter, Equality questions the morality of his former society. Contrast what he was
previously taught about solitude, good, evil and joy with what he now believes.
Chapter 10 Questions
1. Describe the house and its contents in your own words, and explain why Liberty and Equality
find it so strange and unique.
Chapter 11 Questions
1. What great discovery does Equality make in this chapter?
2. Explain the following quotes in your own words, and discuss how they can be applied to your
life:(a) “Whatever road I take, the guiding star is within me.”(b) “For the word ‘We’ must never
be spoken, save by one’s choice and as a second thought.”
3. What does Equality now realize is the proper goal and purpose of his life?
4. Reread the incident with the Saint of the Pyre (p. 50). What was he trying to communicate to
Equality?
Chapter 12 Questions
1. Why do the main characters take the names Prometheus and Gaea? Why weren’t they
allowed to choose their names in their old society?
2. What does Prometheus plan to do in the future?
3. Prometheus reaches the important realization that “To be free, a man must be free of his
brothers” (p. 101). Cite several examples from Anthem that illustrate the truth of this
statement.