Equality 7-2521's story begins by setting the background of the society. In Equality 7-2521's world, every part of life is controlled by the City. The City, which is part of the larger society controlled by the World Council, stresses the importance of 'We,' not individuals. At birth, children are taken from their mothers and placed in barracks where they are raised. They are then sent to school where vocations will later be chosen for them. As adults, all part of the day-to-day life are controlled. The world in Anthem is truly a dystopian society, or one that is opposite of ideal.
As Equality 7-2521 tells us, he is currently alone in an underground tunnel and he can get in trouble for what he is doing, writing. In his society, no one is allowed to think on his/her own.