Question

Read the excerpt from Anthem.

Perhaps they cried out in protest and in warning. But men paid no heed to their warning. And they, these few, fought a hopeless battle, and they perished with their banners smeared by their own blood. And they chose to perish, for they knew. To them, I send my salute across the centuries, and my pity.

The imagery of “a hopeless battle” helps to develop the theme that group thinking limits man’s potential because it
a. gives details of how violent societies can be when faced with overwhelming obstacles.
b. suggests that the group with the larger numbers always wins the battle.
c. implies that the narrator will also be killed for questioning authority.
d. depicts the collective society as a destructive force that represses the independent thinker.

(A is incorrect)

Answer 1

The imagery of 'a hopeless battle' represents the struggle of individuals against a repressive collective society (d), illustrating the theme that group thinking suppresses mankind's potential.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The imagery of “a hopeless battle” in the excerpt from Anthem helps to develop the theme that group thinking limits man’s potential because it depicts the collective society as a destructive force that represses the independent thinker.
• This metaphor suggests that even when individuals are aware that they are against overwhelming odds, they still choose to fight for their beliefs, knowing full well that they may not survive.
• The choice to fight a losing battle underscores the value these individuals place on independent thought, in stark contrast to a society that enforces conformity and suppresses individuality.

Answer 2

It depicts the collective society as a destructive force that represses the independent thinker.

Looking at the excerpt, you can see that even with the warnings they did not heed because of the few who did so. They went with the majority even if they were wrong. These independent thinkers, perished along with them as a result.