This confuses him, as he has previously only experienced sex through the indignities of the Palace of Mating.ĭuring Equality 7-2521's private experiments in the tunnel, he rediscovers electricity, which is remarkable in a society that has lost all technology except for the candle, and he realizes that the Council of Scholars may not be as wise and omniscient as he had previously believed. She brings him water to drink, and the contact between her hands and his lips spurs a new feeling of desire in Equality 7-2521.

She has named him the Unconquered, although this act of individualization is forbidden, and she expresses a willingness to obey him. Equality 7-2521 returns home happily, and upon being reprimanded for singing, he reflects on the fear and unhappiness of his coworkers while wondering about the Unmentionable Times and the Unspeakable Word, for which the Transgressor, a heroic man, had been executed at the stake.Īfter some time, Equality 7-2521 again speaks with the Golden One in the field. He has privately named her the Golden One, although such a unique name is a sin, and the two clumsily express preference for each other, despite their lack of a sufficient vocabulary to do so. Eventually Equality 7-2521 finds an opportunity to speak with Liberty 5-3000 privately, knowing that International 4-8818 will not betray his contact with her. She also notices him, and they greet each other with subtle gestures. One day, as Equality 7-2521 is working in a Street Sweeper's brigade north of the city, he sees and is immediately attracted to the beautiful and proud Liberty 5-3000 among the Peasants. He desires forgiveness for keeping the tunnel to himself and for thinking the thoughts of an individual rather than of the collective. Significantly, Equality 7-2521 speaks always as 'we' rather than 'I', because his society does not have singular pronouns. Equality 7-2521 keeps a journal describing his experiences. International 4-8818 is too afraid to explore, but he is a loyal friend and does not betray Equality 7-2521, who begins to sneak away to conduct scientific experiments in the tunnel. For four years, Equality 7-2521 tries to acquit himself admirably in his vocation and to follow the rigid schedule of his life, but one day, he and International 4-8818 discover a secret tunnel from the Unmentionable Times before the Great Rebirth. He tries unsuccessfully to suppress his curiosity, and for his crime of preference in desiring a position with the wise Scholars, the Council of Vocations assigns him a job as a Street Sweeper. Ever since Equality 7-2521 was a child, he has been more physically and mentally vigorous than his classmates, but his collectivist society has taught him that to be different is a sin.

Anthem ayn rand sparknotes