Additional Questions on Plot, Figurative Language, and Point of View
 

1.		Create a plot diagram of the novel, including the five major components (initial situation, trigger incident, rising action, climax, denouement).
2.		a) Ayn Rand wrote Anthem in a deliberately simple, austere style. Explain why this style is appropriate, given the novel's setting and characters. b) Figurative language is employed effectively, if sparingly, in this novel. Often, a well-chosen simile captures the essence of a character, or the significance of an event. Discuss the meaning and significance of the following similes in Anthem.       "We blew out the candle. Darkness swallowed us. There was nothing left around us, save night and a thin thread of flame in it, as a crack in the wall of a prison" (64).     "But International 4-8818 are different. They are a tall, strong youth and their eyes are like fireflies . . . "(26).     "[Liberty's] body was straight and thin as a blade of iron . . . Their hair was golden as the sun; their hair flew in the wind, shining and wild, as if it defied men to restrain it. They threw seeds from their hand as if they deigned to fling a scornful gift, and the earth was a beggar under their feet" (38).     "The shoulders of our Brothers are hunched, and their muscles are drawn, as if their bodies were shrinking and wished to shrink out of sight" (47).
3.		Ayn Rand wrote Anthem in diary form, using first person major point-of-view. Discuss the merits of this form and point of view for this particular novel. Consider: Why is the diary form crucial to plot and character development in Anthem? How does it help to reveal the setting and establish the nature of this society? How does it contribute to the mystery surrounding the Unspeakable Word? How would using first person minor or third person omniscient point of view weaken the novel?       It might be necessary to review some common methods of narration with students:       First Person Major   Main character simply tells his own story. (Anthem or Huckleberry Finn)       First Person Minor   A minor character, who "happens to be there", tells the story. (Dr. Watson in Conan Doyle's stories, or Nick in The Great Gatsby).       Third Person Omniscient   Narrator recounts the story, and knows the thoughts of all the characters in the story.       Third Person Limited   Narrator recounts the story, but tells the reader only what he perceives; he does not know the thoughts of the characters.       Third Person Central Character   Narrator recounts the story, and knows the thoughts of only the central character.