Chapter 2/ Anthem

Society doesn't allow the use of names.

But it is a sin to give men names which distinguish them from other men.

Relationships are forbidden, children are born but never part of a family. Family doesn't exist.

And we take no heed of the law which says that men may not think of women, save at the Time of Mating. This is the time each spring when all the men older than twenty and all the women older than eighteen are sent for one night to the City Palace of Mating. And each of the men have one of the women assigned to them by the Council of Eugenics. Children are born each winter, but women never see their children and children never know their parents.

Men and women are not allowed to speak, to indulge in conversation.

We had broken so many laws, and today we have broken one more. Today, we spoke to the Golden One.

They are not allowed to speak their thoughts...

And as we all undress at night, in the dim light of the candles, our brothers are silent, for they dare not speak the thoughts of their minds. For all must agree with all, and they cannot know if their thoughts are the thoughts of all, and so they fear to speak. And they are glad when the candles are blown for the night.