Of the whole range of feelings possible to man (joy, excitement, anger, embarrassment, etc.), why is fear the prevalent emotion in Equality’s society?

In Equality 7-2521's society, collectivism has defeated more capitalist societies in the Great Rebirth, and as a result, every aspect of society is integrated into a rigid state system. The school system indoctrinates the state's children with the philosophy that instead of living to satisfy their own desires, they must live exclusively for their brothers, paralleling the Soviet use of "comrade" for fellow citizens. Consequently, the society has regressed to the technology of the pre-Enlightenment era, repeating the Dark Age, and men such as Equality 7-2521 who could benefit their society are encouraged to waste their talents.'

The contrast between individualism, which leads to freedom, and collectivism, which leads to fear, becomes particularly clear after the Council of the Home reprimands Equality 7-2521 for singing. One of the council members informs him, "Indeed you are happy. How else can men be when they live for their brothers?" In response, Equality 7-2521 realizes that the answer to the council member's question is not as obvious as the authorities have implied. He sees a great deal of contrary evidence among the other Street Sweepers, many of whom presumably received such a lowly job assignment precisely because of their dangerously superior abilities -- and have thus suffered at the hands of collectivism. In particular, he cites Fraternity 2-5503 and Solidarity 9-6347 as men who are afraid of something that they cannot name because they do not have the concepts necessary to express their fear.

Equality 7-2521 is the only person in his society besides Liberty 5-3000 and, to a lesser extent, International 4-8818 who knows how to defeat his fear and be happy. In Equality 7-2521's case, he finds peace and happiness in his scientific work and his pursuit of knowledge and morality. Later, as he discovers happiness even more purely in the Uncharted Forest, his changing emotional states lead him to realize that solitude provides happiness because it also provides freedom. In his tunnel, he has the freedom to think as he wishes, and after he escapes the City, he joyously finds that no one is constraining him and preventing him from fulfilling his deepest desires. Rand suggests that fear is associated with the slavery of collectivism, because in order to shackle the able and the worthy, society must also chain them mentally with fear.