Seminar Pre-Write:
1. What is the overall message of Anthem?
The overall message of Anthem, is that true happiness is the ultimate goal in life. In Anthem the main character, Equality, was trying to find the meaning of life and he found that one is the meaning of their own life in other words, self-happiness.
2. In what ways has Anthem made you think about the concept of happiness?
The book Anthem has made me think about the concept of happiness. Through this book I have realized that happiness can only come from within your self. I have also realized that freedom is necessary to achieve happiness.
3. How much of our society do you think is focused on comfort and how much do you think is focused on truth and beauty? Give overall percentages and explain why.
The majority of our society, I believe is focused on comfort rather than beauty and truth. I think 90% of society is focused on comfort and 10% is focused on truth and beauty.
The overall message of Anthem, is that true happiness is the ultimate goal in life. In Anthem the main character, Equality, was trying to find the meaning of life and he found that one is the meaning of their own life in other words, self-happiness.
2. In what ways has Anthem made you think about the concept of happiness?
The book Anthem has made me think about the concept of happiness. Through this book I have realized that happiness can only come from within your self. I have also realized that freedom is necessary to achieve happiness.
3. How much of our society do you think is focused on comfort and how much do you think is focused on truth and beauty? Give overall percentages and explain why.
The majority of our society, I believe is focused on comfort rather than beauty and truth. I think 90% of society is focused on comfort and 10% is focused on truth and beauty.
Seminar Reflection:
Reaction:
I believe the most interesting comment was when Izzy stated how the necessary, but unpleasant jobs have worse pay than unnecessary jobs, such as pro athletes. It made me think about how ridiculous it is that some people make millions of dollars playing games, such as football, while others struggle to survive doing necessary jobs, such as garbage man. Her comment also made me wonder, if the rest of society knows that it’s not smart to have necessary jobs have such bad pay. Why does our society place such a high value on sports figures and Hollywood stars? Although there were many interesting comments and questions in this seminar, this was the one that most interested me.
Self-evaluation:
I believe the area I did best in during the seminar was perspective. I believe this, because I made several comments, offered my opinion, responded to what others had said, and offered different ideas during the seminar. Unfortunately, I missed the first seminar of this class so I cannot say whether or not I have grown since the last seminar. Overall, I believe I did very well in the seminar even though I was nervous.
Key Take-away:
The key idea that I will take away is the idea that happiness can only be achieved with freedom and found within oneself. Happiness can’t be found in material possessions, but rather through knowing yourself. Each person can only find meaning in life by finding his or her passion. This concept of happiness is the key idea that I will take away from the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand.
I believe the most interesting comment was when Izzy stated how the necessary, but unpleasant jobs have worse pay than unnecessary jobs, such as pro athletes. It made me think about how ridiculous it is that some people make millions of dollars playing games, such as football, while others struggle to survive doing necessary jobs, such as garbage man. Her comment also made me wonder, if the rest of society knows that it’s not smart to have necessary jobs have such bad pay. Why does our society place such a high value on sports figures and Hollywood stars? Although there were many interesting comments and questions in this seminar, this was the one that most interested me.
Self-evaluation:
I believe the area I did best in during the seminar was perspective. I believe this, because I made several comments, offered my opinion, responded to what others had said, and offered different ideas during the seminar. Unfortunately, I missed the first seminar of this class so I cannot say whether or not I have grown since the last seminar. Overall, I believe I did very well in the seminar even though I was nervous.
Key Take-away:
The key idea that I will take away is the idea that happiness can only be achieved with freedom and found within oneself. Happiness can’t be found in material possessions, but rather through knowing yourself. Each person can only find meaning in life by finding his or her passion. This concept of happiness is the key idea that I will take away from the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand.