Anthem Creative Writing

Anthem Creative Writing

7. Rewrite the scene about the Saint at the Pyre from the Saint’s perspective. What did he want to communicate to Equality?   

 

They do not lead we. They lead me into the crowd in the city square. My muscles tense and the bright sunlight burns through my eyelids. As I adjust my vision to the light, I feel my head pounding, my mouth aching with an indescribable pain. I have no tongue. I have no tongue because I spoke it, the Unspeakable Word, so they took the ability to speak away from me. I should care, and they want me to. They long for me to express my pain, but I will not do them that favor.

I’m supposed to be the example, to show everyone what happens to those who defy the Council, but I will not be that person. I hold my head up and walk on. I am careful not to miss a step, looking straight ahead as I walk. I avoid making eye contact with anyone in the crowd. I won’t let their thoughts and harsh words affect me. They know not what kind of society they live in. They know not what else is out there. They do not see that there is more to life. Most are lost in this world, forced to lead meaningless, monotonous lives. I feel bad for them, and their ignorance of the truth. If they only knew that word, they would be saved. I have to communicate it with someone, somehow.

They shove me up onto the pyre and wind chains around my frail body. They did this to me, destroyed me, as they have destroyed all mankind. Yes, we should all stand together, as one, but as one against the Council, not for it.

I scan the crowd for someone, I do not know who, but someone like me. I see rows of eyes staring back at me, all the same, all dull, without light. But then I see something different. I see a young boy, probably ten or eleven years old, and I see light in his eyes. I see in him the hope that I have. I lock eyes with him, for I know that he will be the one to carry on this fight against the injustice of this society. I know that he will be the one to figure it all out, like I did, because he is different, something the Council frowns upon. I smile at him, trying to convey this message to him. I hope he understands. He will carry on my work; I’m sure of it.

The flames rise higher and higher, slowly encircling me, and I let them. I am no longer scared. Instead I feel calm, because I feel that I die in the name of my beliefs. In my final moments, I smile, for I die knowing the truth.