Written in 1937, Rand intended to use Anthem as a critique of collectivism, the philosophy that individuals exist only to contribute to the well-being of society. In the novel, individualism has been erased and now the world is crumbling.Equality 7-2521's story begins by setting the background of the society. In Equality 7-2521's world, every part of life is controlled by the City. At birth, children are taken from their mothers and placed in barracks where they are raised. They are then sent to school where vocations will later be chosen for them. As adults, all part of the day-to-day life are controlled. The world in Anthem is truly a dystopian society, or one that is opposite of ideal