Anthem Chapter 2 Response

In the book Anthem, by Ayn Rand, the idea behind relationships is non existent. The people of this society grow up without parents or friends (let alone of another gender). Relationships are not present in the lives of these people, or atleast not virbally. In chapter 2, Equality 7-2521 is beginning to change his own rules regarding friendship and love, through the use of his own knowledge and human nature. For example during his routine day sweeping the road near the mile marker, Equality 7-2521 spotted a women in the feild of whom he admired, and said "There was no smile on their face, and no welcome...Then they turned as swiftly, and they walked away from us." (Rand, 40). This quote describes how most people are just going through the motions, not really paying attention to the people around them or even acknowledging them. But, this is the start to Equality 7- 2521's new found relationship with Liberty 5-3000. After the first acquaintance, the chapter continues to talk about the mating process. It is described that all women over the age of 18 and all the men over the age of 20 are to meet at the City Palace of Mating for one night, and one night only. Each man is paired with one women for the night. And after that night they do not speak to or of one another. This is then repeated every eight months. Equality 7- 2521's plan was to meet Libery 5-3000 that night, but then he learned that she is only 17. Even with this knowledge he still plans to meet her at the City Palacep of Mating. This thought and deceiving spirit is what separates Equality 7-2521 from the others, and how his relationship with Liberty 5- 3000 may even turn into a relationship. This can be shown when he says, "We felt our lips drawn tight with hatred, a sudden hatred for all our brother men. And the Golden One saw it and smiled slowly, and this was the first sadness we had seen in them." (45). This quote is the moment in which both Equality and Liberty realize the unfairness of the government. The realization that the ability to love and to be loved is being taken away from them. They are willing to break the law on account of this new feeling, they are sad and angry at their piers for not doing something about their will to love being stolen. So, when relationships are discussed in Anthem it is hard to have a direct answer due to the fact that the slightest idea of relationships is only bring created.