Analyze Ayn Rand’s use of darkness and light in Anthem.

There are a lot of interesting angles that you could take
with light and darkness in this book. To start, Equality 7-2521 is enveloped in
darkness. The tone of the novel is dark, both figuratively and physically. For instance,
the third paragraph starts with the sentence, "It is dark here. The flame of the candle
stands still in the air." As we move through the book, we find out that Equality 7-2521
is in a tunnel which is from the Unmentionable Times. He has found this tunnel with
International 4-8188, his street sweeping partner. Ironically, this dark tunnel is where
Equality 7-2521 develops his knowledge of light and electricity, which causes him to
eventually run away from the society in which he
lives.

Symbolically, darkness usually illustrates ignorance
while light stands for knowledge. In the case of Anthem, Equality
7-2521 goes to the darkest place, an unlit tunnel, and discovers light. This light leads
him to knowledge in the form of electricity and eventually causes him to escape to
freedom, allowing him to learn as much as he
wishes.

Equality 7-2521 and The Golden One rename
themselves Prometheus and Gaea, respectively. Prometheus "took the light of the gods and
he brought it to men, and he taught men to be gods." Prometheus plans to go and get some
of the men that he left behind to teach them about what he has learned. Further, he and
Gaea have found a house at the top of a mountain with a ton of windows and books. In
Chapter XI, Prometheus says, "I stand here on the summit of the mountain. I lift my head
and I spread my arms. This, my body and spirit, this is the end of the quest...I am the
meaning." He has found a place of ultimate light in the summit and he realizes that he
is ultimate knowledge.