In the book Anthem by Ayn Rand, the motifs light and determination repeat throughout the book to show how equality gains freedom. The first motif light is a part of the text to give Equality hope and motivation that one day he will have freedom. The second motif determination is a part of the text to show how Equality is determined and has the courage to try and gain the freedom that he wants. Together, these motifs create a theme. By using these two motifs, the point that Rand wants you to understand is that light and determination motivates Equality to try and earn freedom. The overall theme of the book is that light and determination can help to earn freedom and rights.
The first motif emphasized in the text is light which represents hope and motivation. This motif appears when Equality says "And there, before us, on a broad summit, with the mountains rising behind it, stood a house such as we had never seen (Rand 89)." What is happening in the text here is that Equality and Liberty are walking towards the city and they find a house that was left behind from the Unmentionable Times. This quote shows the motif of light represents the larger idea of hope and motivation because the new house they found will give them hope that freedom is near and will motivate them to get freedom. This motif also appears when Equality says "We shall never leave this house," We said, "Nor let it be taken from us. This is our home and the end of our journey (Rand 91)." What is happening in the text here is Equality and Liberty both think this house is for them and the house was left behind for people like them to live in where they would have freedom and rights. The motif of light, in this quote, represents the larger idea of hope and motivation because the house left behind gave them hope and motivation to find their freedom and rights.
The second motif Rand emphasizes is determination which represents the will and courage to find freedom and rights.