by Ayn Rand

The dystopian novel Anthem by Ayn Rand is a tremendous novella that takes place an undetermined number of years after a war collapses civilization and a feudal / communist system returns to society. In this new Dark Ages, 2.0 individuality is banned, and technological development is purposefully slowed or blocked entirely. The main character Equality 7-2521 has been compared to Prometheus since Equality experiments in secret with

electricity and develops a lightbulb and plans to become the bringer of light to the world. This did not please the World Council of Scholars and Equality 7-2521 left the city and set off into the uncharted forest that was off limits to all citizens, so he was not followed in his self exile. Later, Equality 7-2521 is found by his love interest Liberty 5-3000 who followed him into the forest. The pair find an intact mountain home not destroyed in the wars that brought down the previous civilization, and start a new life of self and learn to express themselves as individuals.