Ayn Rand was a Russian-American philosopher and author who lived from 1905 to 1982. She is best known for her novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, which promoted her philosophy of objectivism that upheld individualism and reason over collectivism. Rand founded a philosophical movement known as objectivism that asserts reality exists independently of consciousness, the moral purpose of life is individual pursuit of happiness, and a social system based on individual rights is most consistent with this view.

1. Ayn Rand (1905-1982)
http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_ayn_rand_aynrand_biography
Born in Russia – immigrated to US in
1926
Fountainhead (1943) is best known
novel; Atlas Shrugged also well-known
Anthem (1938)
founder of philosophical movement
known as objectivism ( ) http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_intro

2. Ayn Rand (1905 – 1982)
Controversial figure in literature and
philosophy
Upheld individualism over collectivism
and egoism over altruism
Reason is the tool that nourishes the
individual against forces that can
weaken it

3. Anthem
word “anthem” means hymn of praise
known as “anti-utopian” or “dystopian”
fiction
collectivist society is primitive because
economic progress depends on freedom
(the un-coerced mind)

4. Romantic Realism
novel serves as Rand’s intro to
“Romantic Realism”
Romantic – deals with universal
problems of human existence
Realism – problems of normal (real)
people

5. Objectivism
Reality exists regardless of consciousness
(awareness, thoughts, emotions)
Proper moral purpose of life is individual
pursuit of happiness
The only social system consistent with this
morality is full respect for individual rights
Objectivism rejects belief in any thing
alleged to transcend existence

6. Collectivism
Thinking exists only as part of the
group – man’s worth is
determined by his service to the
group.

7. Individualism
Every man is an individual and has
the same rights

8. Selflessness (Altruism)
Unselfish concern for or devotion
to the welfare of others. Complete
mindlessness; abstention from
thinking; obedience to masters. No
individual identity or thought. Leads
to no motivation, no ambition, no
hope.

9. Egoism
Valuing everything only in
reference to one's personal
interest. The individual as opposed
to others is the beneficiary of his or
her actions.

10. Free Will (as opposed to determinism)
People can make choices, can
make up their mind, can make
decisions, and can direct their own
lives by the ideas and values they
hold

11. Flat/Round
Terms used to describe characters
Flat – surface description of character
not insight into personality
Round – insight into character’s
thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.

12. Static / Dynamic
static – character remains the same
throughout the literary work.
dynamic – character goes through
transformations (changes) as a result of
events in the story.