Anthem

Equality 7-2521 is amazed by his first full day in the forest. He wakes up with the sunrise and relaxes, realizing he no longer must follow his assigned routine. Excited by his autonomy, he jumps up, spins around, and swings into a tree. He falls from the tree, landing on the soft moss, and he laughs. Carrying his electrical box, he explores the forest. When he gets hungry, he kills a bird with a stone and makes a fire to cook it. He is proud of his ability to feed himself: “And we thought suddenly that there was a great satisfaction to be found in the food which we need to obtain by our own hand” (45). Continuing on, he finds a stream, and when he stops to get a drink, he sees his reflection for the first time. He finds himself distinct from his peers in that he looks strong and trustworthy. He stops to sleep under a tree, and he remembers that he is supposed to be Damned but laughs at the idea. He hopes to write more in the future because he does not yet understand.