The significance of the Anthem short story lies in its exploration of the relationship between the individual and society. It shows what can happen when society overshadows the individual.
Anthem is a thought - provoking short story. It often explores themes of individuality and collectivism. In the story, the society is highly regimented, suppressing individual thoughts and identities. The protagonist's journey towards self - discovery is a key aspect.
The 'Cop and the Anthem' is a well - known short story. It mainly tells the story of a homeless man named Soapy who tries various ways to get arrested so that he can spend the winter in jail. One important theme is the irony of the situation. Soapy wants to be in jail for the warmth and shelter it provides, but he is constantly thwarted in his attempts to break the law in a minor way that would get him arrested.
In 'The Cop and the Anthem', Soapy's character is quite complex. He has been living on the streets and has become somewhat resigned to his situation. He believes that going to jail is a way out of his cold and difficult life on the streets. The cop represents the authority in the story. The way Soapy's attempts at getting arrested and the final turn of events make the story full of twists and turns.
The main plot is about Soapy's attempts to get arrested. He first tries to eat at a fancy restaurant and then not pay. When that doesn't work, he throws a stone at a large shop window. He also tries other misdemeanors but fails to attract the attention of the police. Finally, when he decides to reform and get a job, he is arrested for loitering.
The story 'The Cop and the Anthem' has themes like the unpredictability of fate. Soapy plans his actions to get arrested, but fate has other plans for him. It also touches on the theme of self - discovery. At the end, when Soapy has a change of heart, it's a moment of self - discovery, realizing that he wants to change his life for the better. However, the system (represented by the cop) doesn't seem to recognize this change in him and arrests him anyway, highlighting the rigidity of the social system.
Ayn Rand's Anthem is classified as a novella. It has some of the depth and complexity of a novel but in a more condensed form. The length and narrative structure set it apart from both novels and short stories.