Why is Equality’s first sight of his reflection such a big deal? How do you think he feels upon seeing his own image?

For the first time in his life, Equality 7-2521 sees his own reflection. (The City does not have mirrors or streams such as this one, for fear that they might reinforce vanity and promote individualism.) Ayn Rand treats a moderate level of vanity as a positive sign of self-interest, and, accordingly, Equality 7-2521 is proud of his image. He is the prototypical and ideal man, and as a result, his mind and his body are both extensions of his self and of each other. Consequently, his body reflects his personal characteristics of strength and fearlessness, and these traits are the same qualities that he sees and so admires in the Golden One. For both Equality 7-2521 and the Golden One, the body does not contrast with the mind in any form, and as a result, their selves are portrayed as complete and without contradiction.

Our face was not like the faces of our brothers, for we felt no pity when looking upon it. Our body was not like the bodies of our brothers, for our limbs were straight and thin and hard and strong.