The aim of this lecture is to present on Anthem By Ayn Rand. Anthem is a dystonia fiction novella by Ayn Rand, written in 1937 and first published in 1938 in England. It takes place at some unspecified future date when mankind has entered another dark age. Anthem theam: The central or dominant idea behind the story; the most important aspect that emerges from how the book treats the subject. Setting: When and where the short story, play, or novel takes place.