Read the excerpt from anthem, by ayn rand.

neither am i the means to any end others may wish to accomplish. i am not a tool for their use. i am not a servant of their needs. i am not a bandage for their wounds. i am not a sacrifice on their altars.

i am a man. this miracle of me is mine to own and keep, and mine to guard, and mine to use, and mine to kneel before!

the imagery of servitude and sacrifice reinforces the theme that the moral purpose of a person’s life is to
-seek his or her own happiness.-serve a higher power.-fight against oppression for all mankind.-reject selfish desires.