Linking ANTHEM to
Poetry, Myth, and Song
Poetry
Liberty chooses “Unconquered” as a fitting name for
Equality. Similarly, William Henley’s most famous poem is entitled “Invictus,” which is Latin for
unconquered. What similarities do you see between the main characters in each of these works?
“Invictus”
Out of
the night that covers
me,
Black as the Pit from pole to
pole,
I thank whatever gods may
be
For my unconquerable
soul.
In the fell clutch of
circumstance
I have not winced nor cried
aloud.
Under the
bludgeonings of
chance
My head is bloody, but
unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and
tears
Looms but
the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the
years
Finds, and shall find me,
unafraid.
It matters not
how strait the gait,
How charged with punishments this
scroll,
I am the master of my
fate;
I am the captain of
my
soul.
Myth
After
reading the brief versions of the myths of Gaea and
Prometheus, think about why
Ayn Rand chose these names for her characters in
ANTHEM.
Prometheus
Prometheus is rumored to be responsible for many things. However,
it is well known that he helped mankind by taking fire from Zeus. Promethues is
also thought to be the teacher of astronomy, medicine, navigation, metalworking,
architecture, and writing. It is also sometimes thought that he was the
actual creator of humankind. One of the greatest gifts to mankind, though,
was the gift of fire (stolen from Hephaestus) that brought safety, warmth,
and light to man.
Gaea
One of the main figures in early mythological stores was Gaea, better
known as Mother Earth. Gaea was the daughter of Chaos and Love, giving birth to
her own child Uranus before she was awoken by the creation of
light. In mythology, Gaea floated between being an individual figure and a
personified conceptual entity representing life in general. She is
considered by all to be the mother of all living things - from the smallest
to the most powerful.
Song
Rush
Rush's 1976 release,
"2112," deals with life after man's technology
finally destroys the earth
and the few that survive and develop a totalitarian
government. One
of the band
members Neil Peart gives credit to Ayn Rand for inspiration in
writing "2112."
The ideas in Rand’s ANTHEM form the basis for the
top tracks of the album. Rush’s version of the story concerns a future world run by a cult-like dictatorship.
– the
Priests of the Temples of Syrinx.
They control everybody’s life and
all art and expression through a
massive system of computers.
The
hero of the story rediscovers a guitar, teaches himself to play it, and
gradually learns that he can create music. He presents his discovery to the
priests, hoping that they will recognize its goodness.
Instead they destroy his guitar, telling him that “we have not need of
ancient ways” and that the masses have no use for such a toy.
After several days of despair the hero decides that he can no longer
continue to live under the rule of the priests and takes his own life.
*********
And the meek shall inherit the earth."
We've taken care of everything
The words you hear the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It's one for all and all for one
We work together common sons
Never need to wonder how or why
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls
Look around this world we made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the Brotherhood of Man
Oh what a nice contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls.
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls.
What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got wires that vibrate and give music
What can this thing be that I found?
See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently like rain
I can't wait to share this new wonder
The people will all see its light
Let them all make their own music
The Priests praise my name on this night
I know it's most unusual
To come before you so
But I've found an ancient miracle
I thought that you should know
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Yes, we know it's nothing new
It's just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
The world is doing fine
Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan
I can't believe you're saying
These things just can't be true
Our world could use this beauty
Just think what we might do
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Don't annoy us further
We have our work to do
Just think about the average
What use have they for you?
Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan
I wandered home though the silent streets
And fell into a fitful sleep
Escape to realms beyond the night
Dream can't you show me the light?
I stand atop a spiral stair
An oracle confronts me there
He leads me on light years away
Through astral nights, galactic days
I see the works of gifted hands
That grace this strange and wondrous land
I see the hand of man arise
With hungry mind and open eyes
They left the planet long ago
The elder race still learn and grow
Their power grows with purpose strong
To claim the home where they belong
Home, to tear the Temples down...
Home, to change..
The sleep is still in my eyes
The dream is still in my head
I heave a sigh and sadly smile
And lie a while in bed
I wish that it might come to pass
Not fade like all my dreams
Just think of what my life might be
In a world like I have seen
I don't think I can carry on
Carry on this cold and empty life
Oh...noo!
My spirits are low in the depths of despair
My lifeblood spills over..
VII. Grand Finale
Music by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
We have assumed control.
We have assumed control.
We have assumed control.
How well
do you feel Rush’s “2112 Overture reflects Rand’s novel? The words? The tone?
The music itself?
Poetry, Myth, and Song
Poetry
Liberty chooses “Unconquered” as a fitting name for
Equality. Similarly, William Henley’s most famous poem is entitled “Invictus,” which is Latin for
unconquered. What similarities do you see between the main characters in each of these works?
“Invictus”
Out of
the night that covers
me,
Black as the Pit from pole to
pole,
I thank whatever gods may
be
For my unconquerable
soul.
In the fell clutch of
circumstance
I have not winced nor cried
aloud.
Under the
bludgeonings of
chance
My head is bloody, but
unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and
tears
Looms but
the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the
years
Finds, and shall find me,
unafraid.
It matters not
how strait the gait,
How charged with punishments this
scroll,
I am the master of my
fate;
I am the captain of
my
soul.
Myth
After
reading the brief versions of the myths of Gaea and
Prometheus, think about why
Ayn Rand chose these names for her characters in
ANTHEM.
Prometheus
Prometheus is rumored to be responsible for many things. However,
it is well known that he helped mankind by taking fire from Zeus. Promethues is
also thought to be the teacher of astronomy, medicine, navigation, metalworking,
architecture, and writing. It is also sometimes thought that he was the
actual creator of humankind. One of the greatest gifts to mankind, though,
was the gift of fire (stolen from Hephaestus) that brought safety, warmth,
and light to man.
Gaea
One of the main figures in early mythological stores was Gaea, better
known as Mother Earth. Gaea was the daughter of Chaos and Love, giving birth to
her own child Uranus before she was awoken by the creation of
light. In mythology, Gaea floated between being an individual figure and a
personified conceptual entity representing life in general. She is
considered by all to be the mother of all living things - from the smallest
to the most powerful.
Song
Rush
Rush's 1976 release,
"2112," deals with life after man's technology
finally destroys the earth
and the few that survive and develop a totalitarian
government. One
of the band
members Neil Peart gives credit to Ayn Rand for inspiration in
writing "2112."
The ideas in Rand’s ANTHEM form the basis for the
top tracks of the album. Rush’s version of the story concerns a future world run by a cult-like dictatorship.
– the
Priests of the Temples of Syrinx.
They control everybody’s life and
all art and expression through a
massive system of computers.
The
hero of the story rediscovers a guitar, teaches himself to play it, and
gradually learns that he can create music. He presents his discovery to the
priests, hoping that they will recognize its goodness.
Instead they destroy his guitar, telling him that “we have not need of
ancient ways” and that the masses have no use for such a toy.
After several days of despair the hero decides that he can no longer
continue to live under the rule of the priests and takes his own life.
*********
And the meek shall inherit the earth."
We've taken care of everything
The words you hear the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It's one for all and all for one
We work together common sons
Never need to wonder how or why
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls
Look around this world we made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the Brotherhood of Man
Oh what a nice contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls.
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls.
What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got wires that vibrate and give music
What can this thing be that I found?
See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently like rain
I can't wait to share this new wonder
The people will all see its light
Let them all make their own music
The Priests praise my name on this night
I know it's most unusual
To come before you so
But I've found an ancient miracle
I thought that you should know
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Yes, we know it's nothing new
It's just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
The world is doing fine
Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan
I can't believe you're saying
These things just can't be true
Our world could use this beauty
Just think what we might do
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Don't annoy us further
We have our work to do
Just think about the average
What use have they for you?
Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan
I wandered home though the silent streets
And fell into a fitful sleep
Escape to realms beyond the night
Dream can't you show me the light?
I stand atop a spiral stair
An oracle confronts me there
He leads me on light years away
Through astral nights, galactic days
I see the works of gifted hands
That grace this strange and wondrous land
I see the hand of man arise
With hungry mind and open eyes
They left the planet long ago
The elder race still learn and grow
Their power grows with purpose strong
To claim the home where they belong
Home, to tear the Temples down...
Home, to change..
The sleep is still in my eyes
The dream is still in my head
I heave a sigh and sadly smile
And lie a while in bed
I wish that it might come to pass
Not fade like all my dreams
Just think of what my life might be
In a world like I have seen
I don't think I can carry on
Carry on this cold and empty life
Oh...noo!
My spirits are low in the depths of despair
My lifeblood spills over..
VII. Grand Finale
Music by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
We have assumed control.
We have assumed control.
We have assumed control.
How well
do you feel Rush’s “2112 Overture reflects Rand’s novel? The words? The tone?
The music itself?