A dystopian setting can provide a different perspective on an aspect of modern society by putting it to an extreme. This maximization gives novelists an opportunity to share their views on controversial ideas in an engaging and convincing way. For example, The Road and Anthem reveal to their readers how a genuine affection for another human being can become a source of strength that is paramount in overcoming even the most challenging obstacles. In this paper, the overarching theme of the role of a human connection in the survival of an individual, which is shown in the novels The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Anthem by Ayn Rand, will be discussed.
The Sense of Community
The ability to grasp the core of the local community is essential for the characters’ survival in these novels, although it is viewed through a different lens in each one. In Anthem, the community is presented as the City, which is filled with fear, oppression, and suspicion (Rand 23). It offers both safety to those who succumb to it and danger to those who oppose it. Equality 7-2521 may not agree with the concepts that guide the society toward the common goal, yet he understands the dire consequences of non-conformity, which are virtually impossible to escape from without support.
McCarthy’s depiction of community differs from Rand’s, as there is no centralized controlling unit. In The Road, groups of other travelers represent a similar concept of society, which is to be distrusted in its entirety (McCarthy 104). They are marauders, thieves, and cannibals who seek to abuse random travelers, such as the boy and his father. For example, McCarthy shows that the man teaches the boy that people “will try to kill [them],” but will not succeed because he knows whom to avoid (117). Separately, both characters would have succumbed to the pressure of these bandits, as the roads are filled with dangerous encounters.
The Role of Intimate Connection
An intimate connection that characters from Anthem and The Road experience also share similarities. Equality 7-2521 and Liberty 5-3000 understand each other like no two people they know, something that is considered forbidden in their society (Rand 19). Their relationship sparks the “sinful” thoughts that open Equality’s eyes to the possibilities outside the traditional ordeal of the City. This awakening stems from a moment of clarity that could have been possible only with the help of another human being who truly shares the main character’s sentiments. The newfound goal in life drives Equality 7-2521 to seek escape from his otherwise bleak future.
The boy and the man from The Road share a different type of connection, yet they rely on each other in a similar manner. McCarthy explains that their familial bond gives the man a boost of strength that drives him forward, as the boy constantly reassures him that he is “carrying the fire” (48). It is possible that the man would have joined the ranks of marauders and road agents who merely try to survive in the harsh post-apocalyptic world if not for the boy’s continuous encouragement. McCarthy shows how the father tries to show “what the good guys do” to keep the boy’s hope alive (80). Such a connection is one of the strongest forces of good, as it allows the man to find the courage to stand by his principles selflessly.
Challenging the Moral Standards Together
The books aim to describe how one can challenge the moral standards by which dystopian societies live. Such a setting allows the authors to put their characters into situations where the value of a close connection to another human being comes to light. Rand reveals how the true connection with another human being can give one strength to continue, as Equality 7-2521 realizes that others still “suffer under the yoke of their brothers” (58). By genuinely connecting with other people, Equality 7-2521 breaks the bonds placed upon him by the City and escapes this yoke. McCarthy describes how the man almost slips down to the same level as ‘roadrats’, yet the boy’s plea to “just help [the thief]” prevents such a plunge (159). These standards appear to be set in place to keep people safe from unnecessary hostilities and ensure the survival of the fittest, or, in the case of Anthem, the most conformist.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these novels give their readers a perspective on what human relationships mean in a dystopian society and how they affect the survival of those unfortunate who live in it. In both cases, the genuine affection toward another human being gives the main character the strength to push forward through any adversity while keeping one’s morale high enough to see past losses and pain. One’s will to live depends on a connection with others whose affection is genuine, and intentions are pure, as it provides one of the strongest motivations to keep fighting against all odds.
Works Cited
McCarthy, Cormac. The Road. M-71, Ltd., 2006.
Rand, Ayn. Anthem. Fictionwise, Inc., 2004.