Alexsandr Solzhenitsyn’s One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

versus

Ayn Rand’s Anthem

Both Ayn Rand’s Anthem and Alexsandr Solzhenitsyn’s One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich were attempts to show the corrosive and crushing effects of communism upon individuals and society. Both were important books, and both were art. Both have become classics of anti-communist literature.

Which of the two novels do you think was most effective as a cautionary tale warning people against the dangers of communism?

Historical accuracy, political accuracy, literary/artistic value, and empathy are all fair game as lenses of analysis, though you are welcome to add others.

Be sure to provide details and quotes from both novels to prove your assertions.

Citations should be in the format of (One Day… p.#) or

(Anthem. P.#) If you use footnotes, remove the parentheses.

The essay should be at least 750 words long and be printed in double-spaced black ink of a reasonable font size.