Atlas Shrugged

From ArticleWorld

Atlas Shrugged was written by the writer and philosopher Any Rand. It was her last work of fiction before she conclusively concentrated on philosophy. Atlas Shrugged is Rand’s most famous work. Objectivists considered it to be the greatest novel of all time. Objectivists believe that reality exists as an objective absolute-facts are facts, independent of man’s feelings, wishes, fears, and hopes. The novel is also one of the most controversial books of the twentieth century. The rights to the book were purchased by the Baldwin Entertainment group in 2003 with the desire to make it into a feature length film.

Themes

Atlas Shrugged is a very philosophical story. The themes of the story are allegorical and deals with Rand’s own Objectivism. There are a number of Objectivists themes that Rand show in the novel, such as, that independent, rational thought is the motor that powers the world. Second, that humans whose productive work comes from mental effort and can create wherever strong human interference is absent. Third, that society stagnates when independence and individual achievement are discouraged. Fourth, that independence grows only to the extent that a person is free. This achievement is rewarded best when private property is strictly respected. Fifth, the laissez-faire capitalism of Adam Smith is consistent with Objectivist beliefs. Sixth, that independence and individual achievement drives the world and should be embraced, and that this worldview has to have a rational moral code. Lastly, that self-sacrifice is a virtue, and that there is a no higher being.

Synopsis

The novel is split into three sections:

• The first two sections, and somewhat in the last section, follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive.
• All through the novel people repeat the platitude Who is John Galt? This platitude Dagny greatly resents.
• The geniuses of the world seem to be disappearing and with the apparent decline of civilization, Dagny is having trouble sustaining her life-long aspirations of running the trans-continental railroad.
• Hank Rearden, is a self-made business man with a lot of integrity that Dagny does business with. His obligation towards his wife is hindering his career.
• Dagny childhood friend and first love, Francisco d’Anconia, is king of the copper industry and has become a worthless playboy.
• Hank and Dagny feel that their attempts to survive in society that hates them is futile. Eventually, Dagny and Hank finds the remnants of a motor. The motor turns atmospheric energy into kinetic energy.
• Dagny and Hank find evidence that the minds, of the world called 'The Atlases' are disappearing due to one particular destroyer taking them away.
• Dagny and Hank search for the creator of the motor, as well as, the destroyer.

The destroyer is draining the world of its prime movers; trying to secure their ability to live rational lives.

• The ending is an elaborate action-based explanation eventually climaxing and presenting an understanding of all the issues explored. The question Who is John Galt? is answered.