Setting:
* The story takes place in a future where individual thought and self-expression are forbidden.
* The society is highly collectivist, with all citizens referred to as "we" and individuality suppressed.
* Technology is primitive, suggesting a past societal collapse and a regression in knowledge.
Protagonist:
* The protagonist, Equality 7-2521, is a young man who is different from others.
* He is intelligent, curious, and secretly longs for knowledge and individuality.
* He experiences a sense of alienation due to his unique thoughts and desires.
Key Elements:
* The Importance of "The Golden One": Equality is drawn to a beautiful woman named Liberty 5-3000, who he secretly calls "The Golden One" due to her spirit and rebellious nature.
* The Forbidden Underground: Equality discovers an old, forgotten tunnel where he finds relics of the past, including books, and explores the forgotten world of individualism.
* The Discovery of "I": The story emphasizes the word "I" as a symbol of individual identity and self-reliance, a concept unknown to the society he lives in.
Conflict:
* Equality's internal conflict lies between his desire for knowledge and the fear of punishment for his individuality.
* The external conflict is his struggle against the oppressive collectivist society, where his individuality is seen as a threat.
Overall, the exposition of *Anthem* effectively sets the stage for the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and his eventual rejection of the oppressive society he lives in. It introduces the themes of individualism, freedom, and the importance of thinking for oneself.