"Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth" – John F. This quote shows that conformity is the act of being the same as others and does not allow freedom or growth in a society. This relates to the book, Anthem, because one of the major themes is conformity. In Ayn Rand's Anthem, the author presents the theme that conformity restricts people from being individuals through the characterizations of dialogue, reaction of others and action or incident for the characters of the Council. .
The Council shows conformity through the dialogue exchanged between those in the Council and between the Council and others. When Equality showed the Council of Scholars his invention, Collective 0-0009 said, "'How dared you think that your mind held greater wisdom than the minds of your brothers?'" (Rand 71). Equality is beginning to become an individual and the society does not accept that. The laws of the society state that all things must be done as a group. Equality creates a light bulb on his own which goes against everything the society has created. When the Home Council questions Equality on why he is singing, he tells them that he is happy. The Home Council responds by saying, "'Indeed you are happy. How else can men be when they live for their brothers?'" (Rand 45). The Council restricts the society by making them believe that happiness can only come from being in a group and living for each other instead of for themselves. .
Conformity is also shown through the Council's reactions to others. Because Equality looked different, his teachers and leaders would point to him, frown and say, "'There is evil in your bones, Equality 7-2521, for your body has grown beyond the bodies of your brothers"' (Rand 18). Equality did not have control over the way he looked, yet because he looked different from his brothers, the Council did not accept him.
