Student Created Question: Anthem

Question 28: What is International 4-8818’s purpose? Why did Ayn Rand include him?

    In books, movies and T.V. shows, there are always the brave, strong heroes who save the day, over and over again. They are on the cover of books, and various posters, but the often overlooked person in the background is possibly just as important, if not a more important character. This person is often called the “best friend,” “partner” or, most of all, the “sidekick.”

    Though in real life, the sidekick switches. I know if my life was a book, there would be no clear sidekick, because it depends on the situation on who the clear “hero” is, but friendship is something that is easy to see no matter what. Most people that I know do not have a gaggle of followers drifting behind them every step of the way, which I believe is a good thing. Though the “hero” may change daily, they always have a friend to back them up. In Anthem, International is this friend.

    The sidekick is often times seen throughout standard book series, such as Ron in Harry Potter, Grover in Percy Jackson, and even Gale in the Hunger Games. One thing all these characters have in common is their ability to stand behind the “hero” of the story no matter what. For instance, when, in the Chamber of secrets, Ron stood by Harry even when coming face to face with his worst fear, spiders. These are the moments sidekicks are made for, to show their devout loyalty to the hero, and their friend. Loyalty is one of the main traits International expresses towards Equality.

    International is Equality’s sidekick, even though it is forbidden by the law, International favors Equality over others and vice versa. Though International does not go into the cave when Equality discovers it, he doesn't say anything to the council. Though that might seem easy to believe in our society, in the society in Anthem, it is unthinkable. International is initially Equality’s follower, he is important in the structure of the story, because even though this story is so different, it still has the hero, sidekick, love interest, and villain. And in order for a hero to be successful, they must have a sidekick.