Society Exposed In Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged

Ayn Rand: Atlas Shrugged
In the society created by Ayn Rand in her novel Atlas Shrugged, the unmotivated feed off of the desire of the purposeful, politicians destroy success in an attempt to gain it, and entitlement is an epidemic. Dagny Taggart is the Vice-President of Operations of Taggart Transcontinental, her family railroad empire. Her brother, Jim, fills the role of President. The country is slipping into economic turmoil, and the state of the railroad is following suit. Jim and his fellow business elite, known as the “looters”, do not wish to work hard for their success and instead create government regulations to help themselves gain profits and take out competition. At the same time, the great minds of the world begin to disappear.
In order to save the failing railroad, Taggart Transcontinental must find a way to save the Rio Norte Line of the railroad that goes through the oil rich state of Colorado. However, Dagny makes the decision to use Rearden Metal, a new alloy. However, the State Science Institute does not approve of it and stocks drop. In order to finish the railroad and save the company, Dagny must form her own company and construct the Rio Norte Line. She names it the John Galt Line, after the common question, “Who is John Galt?” This question is a symbol of confusion and the unanswerable. Instead of searching for the answer, they shrug it off and respond with “Who is John Galt?” While building the railroad, she forms with a relationship with Frank Rearden, the creator of Rearden Metal, and they begin to have an affair. As more government restrictions come, more people begin to disappear, and Dagny sets out to find them. She ends up in Galt’s Gulch, a utopian society where John Galt, the man referred to in the common rhetorical question, has taken the innovative, hardworking people for the “strike of the minds.” They decide they must let society fail rather than carry the unmotivated and selfish. Through this, she discovers that John Galt embodies the qualities she looks for in a person, and she begins a relationship with him.
Throughout her novel, Rand presents the theme that the destruction of society comes when individuals no longer think or work for himself or herself.
Instead, they turn to making government regulations that redistribute the success of the great minds. For example, Jim Taggart creates laws to take out competition in Colorado. Citizens do not think for themselves and try to stop the government. As governmental regulations are not uncommon in American society and many citizens are uninformed, Rand creates these examples, though they be extreme, to appeal to the audience. Through this she also presents a message on the negative effects of collectivist governments. When the successes of the great are redistributed, others become dependent and do nothing to contribute to society. The motif of the integration of the body and mind plays a major role in the development Dagny. Rand suggest that for a person to be liberated, they must not allow their minds to stop the desires of their bodies. Dagny has relationships with men she respects, showing that her mind and body are connected and she is in possession of a free mind. This motif contains feminist undercurrent and stresses sexuality, making it ineffective and somewhat offensive for those who are not feminist or believe in purity and abstinence. As Rand relates Dagny’s affairs in great detail, some segments of her audience may not wish to continue
reading.
Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged has achieved much success, much of it stemming from the novel’s emotional and logical appeals. Dagny’s trials and victories are followed, and her emotions are explored. The reader empathizes with her and wishes for her to succeed and find happiness. As Rand discusses Dagny’s busniness practices and her battle against the government, the reader follows Taggart Transcontinental and logically relates to her business struggles and the steps she takes to save the family railroad.
Atlas Shrugged is the classic novel that follows Dagny Taggart on her journey to save her family railroad line and save society the downward spiral it finds itself in. In the pages of this book, the reader is greeted with an engaging story line, and powerful messages. However, some feminist and sexual undertones may drive some readers away.