In Anthem, Chapters 5 & 6, Equality invents the electric light, gets caught getting back home late from being at his secret tunnel, gets whipped and put in jail, escapes back to his
secret tunnel, and then plans to crash the World Council of Scholars convention the next day in order to reveal to them his amazing new invention. What is Equality's attitude
about his plans, and what does this attitude reveal about his character?
He is cynical and depressed about it, thinking that the World Council of Scholars will certainly punish and imprison him. He just doesn't know what else to do. This reveals
his pessimism and lack of imagination.
He is excited and hopeful, confident that the World Council of Scholars will rejoice in his invention and forgive all his transgressions for the good of all humankind. This
reveals his trust in human goodness and his naivete in thinking they care as much for the betterment of humanity as he does.
He is crazy in love with Liberty and making irrational decisions that he wouldn't normally make, thinking that the World Council of Scholars might let him have a wife
because of his great invention. This reveals his romantic sensibilities and emotional instability.
He is calculating and malicious, thinking that when the World Council of Scholars rejects him, he will find a way to make the electric light into a bomb. This reveals his cruel
and unforgiving spirit, and his heart for revenge.